About the Minnesota Cognitive-Behavioral Network

• Minnesota Cognitive-Behavioral Network Brochure PDF

• Cognitive Behavioral Interventions Subcommittee Report to the DOC Community Services Advisory Council, March 2001

The Minnesota Cognitive-Behavioral Network provides Probation Officers and others working with offenders the opportunity to:

• Exchange ideas;

• Gain knowledge of programs, training resources, contact information and implementation ideas;

• Offer and obtain support; and

• Participate in the state clearinghouse of information about cognitive-behavioral program implementation and sustainability.

The Minnesota Cognitive Network held its first meeting in October of 1998 to discuss start up plans.  This was hosted by Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted Community Corrections (DFO).  Our first official meeting was January 1999 and was hosted by Washington County Community Corrections.

We have members from community corrections departments, institutions, and community-based programs.  Anyone who is interested in or has already implemented cognitive-behavioral interventions with offenders is welcome to become part of our organization.

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• Improved community safety through increased supervision and client contact. Cog groups meet once or twice weekly and target specific risk factors.

• Reduced cost to community through reduced crime and less need of expensive residential settings.

• Research based rationale which supports this approach with offender populations.

• Improved community collaboration through pooling of resources between private and public agencies in the delivery of services (i.e.:  Cog groups).

• Pro-active vs. reactive approach to corrections.

• Expectation of positive progress with clients through direct action and targeting of specific risk factors for recidivism.

• Outcome measures which  demonstrate the effectiveness of correctional programming.

Mission & Values

Our Mission:
The Minnesota Cognitive-Behavioral Network: Individuals sharing knowledge and promoting practices for effective implementation of evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral interventions for offenders.

We Value:

• Collaboration

• Personal and professional growth

• Service, program, and system integrity

• Personal responsibility and accountability

• Restorative Justice and community involvement

• Diversity and dealing with people with respect and dignity

Research has demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral interventions, effectively implemented with appropriate offenders, are successful in reducing offender recidivism.  Cognitive-behavioral interventions target specific cognitive deficits (i.e.: manipulation, impulsivity, callousness, egocentricity, lack of guilt or remorse, low frustration tolerance, blaming others, concrete thinking, poor problem solving and interpersonal skills, difficulties with anger, rigid thinking, etc.)   These interventions facilitate self-change and aid in the development of thinking skills used to cope with life situations.

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Structure & Meetings

The Minnesota Cognitive Behavioral Network meets quarterly throughout the state in conjunction with the MN EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES FORUM.

 

Please click here for the full schedule for all four meetings of the 2010 MN EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES FORUM.

The meetings generally take 2-3 hours, depending on which sub-committees are meeting. Meetings consist of regional cog updates, training updates, dialogue and discussion (“Think Tank”), as well as a training/presentation by the EBP FORUM host as to how they are implementing EBP in their organizations.

 

• 2010 MN EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES FORUM

Goals & Objectives

Goals discussed were as follows:

1. Complete first periodic newsletter to be distributed to stakeholders.

2. Complete at least 2 curricula training events within the next year.

3. Continue the enhancement of evaluation tools as they relate to measuring outcomes of specific cog programs.

4. Complete the Cog 101 power point training (with lesson plans).
    

Contact Information

For more information regarding the Minnesota Cognitive-Behavioral Network or cognitive-behavioral programming, please feel free to contact the 2010-11 information specialists:

Evonn Westcott, Brown County
PO Box 248
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 233-6622

Katy O'Sullivan, St. Louis County

6102 Abrahamson Rd

Saginow, MN 55779

218-729-3412