Announcing Project Redirect
Project Redirect is a diversion program which began in December 2022 and is now continuing into 2023 with plans of expansion. It is offered to women (generally first-time nonviolent offenders) by the judge and/or Public Defender’s Office as an alternative to incarceration.
The 8-week program teaches participants to:
- Identify symptoms of trauma that led to poor choices and behaviors including substance abuse.
- Reframe negative past events using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Develop tools to handle emotional dysregulation that can often lead to self- medication.
- Learn and apply tools to build resilience including a science- based program, HeartMath
- Enhance interpersonal communication skills.
- Seek and secure employment successfully.
Diversion programs, like Project Redirect, save our community substantial money. Data from the Florida Department of Corrections estimated that each year of incarceration costs our community $30,000. With your assistance, Project Redirect can serve approximately 60 women in a year for $43,000, resulting in an ROI of $42 for every $1 invested. Project Redirect will use best- practice trauma-informed sessions to assist women in recognizing their own decision-making choices and help each participant to build a “toolkit” of practices for a successful future. Participants will be connected to local social service resources and will be supported in securing housing and employment if needed.
We are grateful for the support of the Public Defenders Office -MAT Team, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, The James B. Sanderlin Center and Dress for Success Tampa Bay for their partnership and support of Project Redirect.