CEC Announces Senior Alabama Leadership Promotions

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Community Education Centers, Inc. announced today two senior promotions to its Alabama leadership team.  Gary Hetzel, formerly Director of the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility in Columbiana has been promoted to lead CEC's regional operations across [four] states.  In addition, George Edwards has been promoted to Facility Director for ATEF.  Both Mr. Hetzel and Mr. Edwards retired from distinguished careers in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

ATEF is a residential reentry treatment and vocational training center to help offenders change their criminal thinking and behaviors. It is entering its tenth year of successful programming that has prepared nearly 6000 graduates to return to society as productive citizens. ATEF continues to be a trailblazer for the fight against recidivism; celebrating an 82% graduation rate, 72% learned a trade, and 335 GEDs were awarded. The unique programming ATEF provides is a collaborative effort with the Alabama DOC, the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, and CEC. Its goal is to return offenders back to the community with skills and aftercare programming that will help counter a relapse to criminal activity.

A recent article in the Shelby County Reporter highlighting a graduation at the facility cited ATEF as the "finest example seen of a program aimed at helping people get out and stay out of prison," by Rep. Connie Rowe, who represents Blount and Walker Counties in District 13, Alabama House of Representatives.

The ATEF/CEC program utilizes the Therapeutic Community model as the cornerstone of its treatment program, in addition to intensive educational and vocational training, and aftercare support.  This TC approach creates a microcosm of "real world" activities to prepare residents for their reentry. All treatment occurs with an end goal of public safety in mind. To help forge that environment, ATEF is accredited by the American Correctional Association at 100% compliance since 2009. In addition, in 2015, ATEF was found "Fully Compliant with Exceeds Standards in Training" for compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). 

"I believe ATEF is a model worthy of national replication," said Steve Tomlin, Senior Vice President of Reentry Operations for CEC. "Following a battery of assessments, staff and residents develop a reentry plan consisting of behavioral health programs, life-skills, job skills, building trades and educational development courses. We truly treat the whole person."

In addition, former graduates who have demonstrated success in their transition are available as alumni services members to assist those currently in transition with housing, employment, and treatment referrals, offering support through the process.

CEC is a leading national provider of rehabilitative services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities, as well as providing comprehensive management of county, state, and federal jail and detention facilities. The Company provides evidence-based programming for residential and non-residential clients and maintains a documented record of reducing recidivism. CEC services also include drug and alcohol testing by SECON, our comprehensive drug testing and screening company that provides services worldwide.

SOURCE Community Education Centers

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