Seedco's Pre-Release and Post-Release Reentry Services for Memphis, (Shelby County) TN Individuals

Seedco’s proposed Mid-South More than Ready (MSMTR) will serve Shelby County, TN. It meets the policy priorities of a) a high poverty area and b) economic distress through the identification of qualified Opportunity Zones.

Project Summary:

Mid-South More Than Ready is a three-year initiative to deliver criminogenic assessment, individualized service planning, mentoring, case management, training, and employment services to 165 adults (ages 21+) during incarceration and upon release from Shelby County, TN corrections.

Seedco seeks to bridge gaps in service provision in Shelby County, which has experienced a lack of connectivity in reentry supportive services and follow-up care. This program will benefit participants and positively impact the safety, and strengthen local communities in Shelby County.

Seedco’s proposed program has a full continuum of services to ensure successful transition for returning citizens, reducing their risk for recidivism:.

Criminogenic Risk Assessment through Ohio Risk Assessment System
Development of Individual Success Plan
Case Management, reassessment and follow-up
Connections and referrals to community-based services
Mentoring
Cognitive-based life skills and job readiness training;
Credential attainment opportunities and employment services

The proposed program will utilize evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions: 1) Evidence-based Motivational Interviewing employed during assessment and case management; 2) ORAS assessment tool, a validated criminogenic risk and needs assessment tool designed for use with participants engagement with the criminal justice system, 3) CBI-EMP, a curriculum integrating cognitive-behavioral interventions and traditional employment approaches; and 4) Trauma-informed Care through the engagement process. 

Seedco anticipates that a maximum 6% of participants may recidivate within the 12-month period following their initial release. Beyond recidivism outcomes, Seedco will also collect and report on outcomes related to enrollment, education and training, and employment.

Over the course of the program, Seedco is prepared to deliver:

An action plan prepared in conjunction with BJA and technical assistance provider
An evaluation action plan developed in conjunction with proposed Evaluator
A final evaluation report upon program’s conclusion
A final programmatic report upon the program’s conclusion
Enrollment of 165 individuals
Recidivism rate of 6% or lower among participants
Job readiness curriculum completion rate of 80% of participants