E.E. Cummings once wrote, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
For eight young men, completing the Washington County Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program demonstrated courage to grow into productive young men.
Friday, January 21 marked a new beginning for graduates of the Washington County RSAT Program held at the Vital Link Center in Tennille. Those graduates include Richard Forehand, TaDavis Henderson, Reginald Johnson, Tom McKennie, Kendall Phillips, Zachary Robinson, Brandon Smith, and Raquis Tennyson.
“We’re extremely proud of these young men for their hard work and dedication over the past six months,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. He added, “We have big hopes and big dreams for these young men as they transition back into society.”
According to RSAT Program Coordinator Patrick Wilson, the RSAT program launched on August 2, 2021 in the Washington County Jail, targeting inmates incarcerated at the Washington County Jail who have a substance abuse problem, and who commit and demonstrate a desire to stop using illicit drugs and alcohol.
As previously reported by WACO 100, the RSAT has three components: recovery, rehabilitation, and re-education. Those phases focus on the individual’s cognitive behavior through classes such as substance abuse prevention, anger management, trauma, and Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT); the MRT is a 12-step program designed to enhance self-image, promote growth of a positive, productive identity, and facilitate the development of higher stages of moral reasoning.
In addition, the phases also help those enrolled in the program focus on character development and workplace skills. The Washington County RSAT program partnered with various agencies such as Oconee Fall Line Technical College, Washington County Family Connection, and the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Office to provide necessary educational opportunities to those enrolled in the program.
When discussing the fourth component of the program, Program Coordinator Patrick Wilson stated that the graduates will participate in Reentry phase, as well, which is available through a partnership with Vital Link Center in Tennille.
“This will provide the RSAT program graduates with a continuation of care and a deeper connection to the community through career development and ongoing counseling for life after release,” said Program Coordinator Wilson.
Community oriented policing partners recognized during the January 21 graduation ceremony include: Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Dr. Annise Mabry of the Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, Allison McAfee of Washington County Family Connection, Denise Hensley of Washington County Family Connection, the RSAT Intake Specialist Euneeda Ellison, President of Oconee Fall Line Technical College Erica Godbee Harden, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Saketha Q. Adams, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Vice President of Economic Development Kimberly David, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Dean of Adult Education Demme McManus, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Instructor Jay Garrett, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Instructor Tony Simmons, Oconee Fall Line Technical College Adult Education Coordinator Michael Mallette, Workforce Investment Act’s Workforce Investment Coordinator Patricia Cooper, LaTunya Goodwin of Worksource East Georgia, Georgeanne Cook of the University of Georgia Washington County Extension, GED Instructor Nichole Bailey, GED Instructor Jhanequa Pierce, the Washington County Electric Foundation, Worksource East Central Georgian, and Munroe Foundation.
