Justice-Involved Initiatives
MHEP’s Justice-Involved Initiatives are rooted in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to rebuild, recover, and thrive. Serving Westchester and Rensselaer counties, these programs provide pathways to healing and second chances.
From preparing incarcerated individuals for meaningful careers as peer advocates to offering restorative alternatives for first-time offenses, MHEP meets people where they are—helping them rediscover purpose, strengthen resilience, and successfully return to their communities with dignity and hope.
Westchester County
Lives Forward Project
Fresh Start
Community Oriented Re-Entry Program (CORE)
Justice-Involved Recovery Coaching
Rensselaer County
Probation Support
Troy Alternative Treatment Court (TACT)
Justice-Involved Recovery Coaching
The Lives Forward program in Westchester County helps individuals with criminal justice lived experience prepare for careers as Certified Peer Specialists (CPS). While still incarcerated, participants work toward completing the 13 required courses and exams from the Academy of Peer Services and the additional exams needed to earn their Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification through the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD). This training supports their professional goals and successful re-entry into the community.
The Fresh Start Program is a collaboration between the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), local Police Departments, and MHEP’s RISE Center. It offers individuals with a first-time, low-level, non-violent offense the chance to take responsibility, complete a three-hour restorative class, and clear the incident without a criminal record. Led by bilingual staff and recovery coaches with lived experience, the program also provides personalized support in goal setting, self-advocacy, and connection to housing, employment, healthcare, and peer networks – empowering participants to move forward with confidence