In response to the growing female offender population, Idaho has developed a Female Offender Coalition, which is guided by the department's Director of Women's Programs. The Female Offender Coalition is a team of professionals committed to working with female offenders and guiding our department in the development of gender-specific programming. This includes work force training programs, identifying female specific assessments and collaborating with both IDOC Institutions and Community Corrections. This well- balanced team provides the historical perspective and programmatic expertise needed to successfully reunify female offenders with their communities and their families.

We continue to collaborate with resources such as the National Institute of Correction and Huskey Associates to further our long range plan. Idaho has a female specific classification and re-classification instrument. We have mandated training in regards to gender responsive strategies at our female facilities and provided workshops to the community which detail gender specific programming IDOC utilizes.

BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: This group is provided through the STOP Violence Against Women grant. This class educates women on the history and cycles of domestic violence, how to make better relationship choices and how to access help in the community.

DV SUPPORT GROUP: This support group for victims of domestic violence is also provided through the STOP Violence Against Women grant. It enables women to have an outlet and support for issues that impacted their life in the community prior to incarceration.

HELPING WOMEN TO RECOVER: Provides female specific programming on alcohol and drug abuse, as well as the addiction process. Recovering women have the opportunity to understand addiction and the symptoms experienced by women struggling with substance abuse dependence. Examines the connection between substance abuse and high-risk behaviors.

LEARNING ABOUT YOURSELF: Addresses AIDS/HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality, self esteem, and personal behavior which puts women at risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

NUTRITION: Teaches basics of proper nutrition, food preparation, serving sizes, food purchasing and caloric needs for adults and children.

SEEKING SAFETY: Addresses coping skills to help the offender achieve recovery from both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. It teaches the offender to cope in a safe manner without the use of mood-altering substances and other destructive behavior.