In 2009, Dr. Glasser charged Dr. Lester Triché with the mission to teach Choice Theory®.
"The Choice Theory Connections Program is to become a nationally recognized training program for teaching Choice Theory to women in state correctional institutions. I propose special recognition for those completing the program by achieving competence in the understanding and application of Choice Theory in their lives. The Director will create, design, and implement the program, especially for a correctional institution, and will be charged with the following:
- Preparation, training, and mentoring of instructors
- Verifying the self-evaluation process
- Conferring credentials for the successful completion of the program by students from the inmate population
- Conducting research pertinent to the efficacy of the program, using accepted standards of measurement
- Creating a sustainable model to assure continuation of the program wherever implemented
- Presenting the ideas and program function to whoever would benefit as recipient of the information or show interest in replicating the program in their setting
- Creating documentation for public dissemination
- Acting as liaison with the William Glasser Institute
- Sharing information about the Choice Theory Connections Program with the William Glasser Institute membership world-wide."
Endorsements, Awards, and Recognition
Endorsements
The Internal Empowerment Coaching program is:
- Approved by the William Glasser Institute US
- A certificate diploma program offered by Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Extension
- IECAST, Inc. is approved as a “Provider” by the California Board of State and Community Corrections-Standards and Training.
“My late husband, William Glasser, M.D., enthusiastically endorsed the work of Lester and RoxAnne Triché, which led to the creation of Internal Empowerment Coaching and includes ideas my husband created over a span of 60 years. His legacy now includes the work currently being done by Les and RoxAnne through IECAST, Inc.
This outstanding website created by Les and RoxAnne about Internal Empowerment is a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to improve their lives. My husband would have been so proud of what Les and RoxAnne have accomplished here and would have encouraged you to join and support this highly effective movement to increase the happiness quotient of the world now and for future generations.”
Carleen GlasserWilliam Glasser, Inc. President and wife of Dr. William Glasser 2017
“I would highly recommend Les Triché and his constituents as more than highly qualified individuals for facilitating a Choice Theory training with any interested educational leaders in the K–12 and post-secondary school systems locally, regionally, and nationally."
Gerry Catanzarite, Ed.D.Principal, Big Picture Middle and high School, 2015
Awards and Recognition
In October 2016, the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) approved Choice Theory-Internal Empowerment Coaching as part of the evidence-supported certification for Reality Therapy. This certification was published in NREPP’s Journal, December 2016.
In January 2014, Loyola Marymount University published a study of 175 women who participated in some portion of the Choice Theory Connections program from November 2007 through November 2012, which showed a 2.9% recidivism rate compared to the 57% average recidivism rate of other women who have not been through the course.
In July 2013, Dr. William Glasser, MD acknowledged the Choice Theory Connections Program in his book entitled Take Charge of Your Life: How to Get What You Need with Choice Theory Psychology, page 225, which states:
”For many years, choice theory has been implemented in court-mandated diversion programs, by parole officers, and in prisons. Currently, a program called Choice Theory Connection Program has become very successful at the California Institution for Women. Follow-up studies show that, after three years’ implementation, of the women trained in choice theory, who have been paroled, there had been less than 5 percent recidivism. Choice theory, used as a rehabilitation program, helps inmates get along better with each other and with the staff and ultimately live happier, more productive lives. The book Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom is read and studied at the prison, and recently, the program’s Director, Les Triché (formerly Johnson), has adopted, Take Charge of Your Life as a textbook in the curriculum he has created.“
In July 2011, the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) awarded Les the Community Service Award for his exemplary contributions to the field of psychology, through implementation and results of the Choice Theory® Connections-Internal Empowerment Coaching program. The award was given at the 43rd Annual ABPsi International Convention, and the 7th ABPsi International Congress on Licensure, Certification, and Proficiency in Black Psychology, Washington D.C.