The N.C. Department of Public Safety and GEO Reentry Services will hold a transition celebration for graduates of the Rowan County Treatment for Effective Community Supervision Service Center 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.

Program graduates will share their experiences. The celebration recognizes the accomplishments of program graduates and the support of the Rowan County community.

The Rowan County TECS center, opened in November 2012, was created, along with five others, as part of a statewide initiative following the Justice Reinvestment Act and focuses on reducing recidivism rates by creating a structured and supportive environment conducive to successful offender reentry.

The TECS programs are cognitive-behavioral treatment interventions operating under evidence-based principles. Participants receive treatment to help break cycles of criminal behavior through individual counseling and group classes including:

• Drug and alcohol education and treatment
• Moral Reconation Therapy cognitive restructuring therapy
• Community connections, where offenders are linked to local resources as needed
• Aftercare

GEO additionally opened TECS centers in Charlotte, Asheboro, Concord, Gastonia and Greensboro. The six centers accommodate up to 1,360 clients annually, with the primary focus on cognitive behavioral and substance abuse treatment classes.

Depending on performance, individuals may participate in a TECS program from 120 to 180 days, or until their goals have been achieved. GEO’s approach has been proven to reduce recidivism, target employment or full-time school enrollment upon program completion, alter criminal attitudes and behaviors, and generate savings for taxpayers.