Effective Approaches to Integrating Peer Recovery Support in Probation Agencies

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Tara Kunkel, MSW, has served as the Executive Director of Rulo Strategies since 2020. Before founding Rulo Strategies, Tara served as a Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she led the implementation of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). Under Tara’s leadership, the COSSAP program grew from a $27 million grant program in 2017 to $187 million in 2019. Tara also served as a consultant for the National Center for States for more than nine years leading, managing, and evaluating projects at all points in the justice system, from diversion programs, pretrial supervision, courts, probation, and corrections. Tara Kunkel began her career in the justice field, working for Chesterfield County, Virginia, as a Community Corrections Officer and Criminal Justice Planner. During this time period, she oversaw the development of the day reporting center and adult drug court. Ms. Kunkel has extensive experience managing and directing complex federal grants. She has also led national-scale initiatives at the federal level. Tara Kunkel, MSW, has served as the Executive Director of Rulo Strategies since 2020. Before founding Rulo Strategies, Tara served as a Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she led the implementation of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). Under Tara’s leadership, the COSSAP program grew from a $27 million grant program in 2017 to $187 million in 2019. Tara also served as a consultant for the National Center for States for more than nine years leading, managing, and evaluating projects at all points in the justice system, from diversion programs, pretrial supervision, courts, probation, and corrections. Tara Kunkel began her career in the justice field, working for Chesterfield County, Virginia, as a Community Corrections Officer and Criminal Justice Planner. During this time period, she oversaw the development of the day reporting center and adult drug court. Ms. Kunkel has extensive experience managing and directing complex federal grants. She has also led national-scale initiatives at the federal level. Ms. Kunkel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jennifer McMorries currently holds the position of Responsivity Specialist for the Treatment Alternative to Incarceration Program (TAIP) with the Midland CSCD. She helps and supports the treatment team with early interventions for high-risk clients. She has been instrumental in helping develop and introduce the responsivity principle to Midland County, Texas, and the surrounding area. Previously, Jennifer worked with Thriving United, a local recovery community organization in Midland, Texas, as the Recovery Community Center Director. While working with Thriving United, she became certified as a Recovery Support Peer Specialist with the State of Texas. She also was part of the organization’s Ethics Committee and helped form the Peer Advisory Council. Jennifer is also the President of the Midland County Specialty Court Alumni. As one of the program’s pioneers, she graduated from Adult Felony Drug Court in March 2020 and completed probation shortly after. Jennifer is the perfect example of why Specialty Court Programs work for repeat offenders. The life she leads today is much different from the one she led. Jennifer has made many strides since deciding to make a life change in November of 2018. She is currently enrolled at Midland College, studying to one day become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She has a goal to be a Counselor with the Midland CSCD TAIP treatment team once she graduates from college. Being a part of the team that helped her get her life back is where she has found her passion and purpose.