Jackson native Jake Stressman is the administrator and case manager for the Jackson County Recovery Court (JRC).
Photo by Mary Steinmetz
County native coordinates Recovery Court program
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Jake Stressman, administrator and case manager for the Jackson County Recovery Court (JRC), first came to this field in 2008 as the court officer for the Hon. Chad Schmucker, then-presiding judge of the court.
The work sparked an interest in the ideals and philosophies of specialty courts for the Jackson native who originally had intentions of pursuing a career in law enforcement.
"After being exposed to this court for the first time, I was amazed," Stressman says. "I'd never seen a court session like that and it was then I knew I wanted to be a part of something that helped people by focusing on the true cause of their problems and working together with them to achieve milestones, rebuild relationships, reuniting with family and just becoming healthier, happier more productive people."
After starting in 2011 as data manager with the Recovery Court, Stressman became a case manager and assessment specialist; and earlier this year became coordinator of the program, after Joe Hankis retired. The Recovery Court also includes the Veterans Treatment Track.
"The job consists primarily of administrative duties however, I very much enjoy client contact and make a point to meet and talk with every client," he says. "I love to see young people who come in here and work the program and achieve successes they never thought possible, such as getting a job, rebuilding relationships, enrolling in school, having significant periods of clean time and ultimately realizing they don't need alcohol and/or drugs to have fun or to fit in."
The treatment program of the Recovery Court offers a lifeline to participants, Stressman notes.
"The idea is to not be punitive in nature, but to provide clients with tools and access to services that will address the underlying issues, such as, substance abuse and dependence," he explains.
According to Stressman, those issues can usually be attributed to three factors: biology, the genes people are born with; environmental influences from family and friends, trauma, stress, and quality of life; and development the earlier the age that drug and alcohol use begins, the more likely it is to progress to a more serious issue or even dependence.
The multi-disciplinary team, spearheaded by Judge Susan Beebe, works closely with each client to ensure they are afforded the best possible services for their particular situations.
"Clients are encouraged to be open and honest about both their successes and challenges so that either they can receive more help, or the pat on the back they deserve," Stressman says.
The Recovery Court also works closely with Home of New Vision, a nonprofit agency providing comprehensive treatment and support for those suffering from addiction. HNV provides community case management and peer support at the Jackson Recovery Resource Center at 407 W. Michigan Avenue, in downtown Jackson.
"Working with the HNV has proved to be an invaluable relationship," Stressman says. "They provide an additional case management service to some of our more high-need participants that include counseling and guidance, as well as offering rides and setting up appointments and helping with scheduling. The Recovery Court program is an intensive 12-month program that often seems overwhelming to new participants and working with HNV helps those clients develop a structured plan and to develop a routine."
In 2012, the Recovery Court won a mini-grant to set up the garden at HNV, and Stressman worked with HNV Peer Events Coordinator Ben Ross to purchase items and organize the gardening day.
"The goal was threefold to provide clients with a learning mission involving responsibility, to beautify the area with flowers and plants, and to utilize the vegetables in participant events at the center and to donate to local food banks," he explains.
The legal world is in Stressman's genes his mother Ruth, winner of the Liberty Bell Award in 2008, was coordinator for the Jackson County Victim Rights Unit for over two decades, helping countless people navigate the court system; and his father John retired as a Jackson police officer after 27 years and is now chief of police in Mason.
A graduate of Jackson High School, Stressman attended Jackson Community College before earning his undergrad degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University. He began working with the County of Jackson in 2006 at the Youth Center. Recently, he was accepted into the Masters of Management program through Central Michigan University and hopes to begin working toward his graduate degree this spring. He also holds the designation Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP), earned through the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (MCBAP).
In his leisure time, Stressman enjoys a host of outdoor activities especially running; where he takes part in several local events organized by the Jackson Area Race Directors and the Fitness Council of Jackson. He also, enjoys participating in fitness classes at the YMCA as well as traveling to visit friends across the country whenever possible.
"I love living and working in Jackson," he says. "Being born and raised here, I've seen the area work toward and develop a more vibrant community. It's exciting to see the changes taking place and it's important to me that I do my part, both through work and my free time, to help make this community succeed."
Published: Mon, Mar 23, 2015
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
