Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Category 3: Heath and Housing

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSGJC) seeks $2,750,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through the Second Chance Act (SCA) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program Category 3: Health and Housing. Our goals will be to assist grantees and the field to advance evidence-based practices (EBPs) to improve health and housing outcomes for people exiting prisons and jails and those on community supervision.

TTA will be designed to ensure that grantees implement a system-wide, coordinated approach with accurate screening and assessment procedures, connection to evidence-based housing, treatment, and services, effective data-collection and program evaluation, and the development of sustainability plans. Leveraging out status as a nationally recognized TTA provider and the current SCA Category 3 TTA provider, CSGJC’s TTA approach will include: delivering guidance aligned with EBPs to improve outcomes for the target populations; a technical assistance coach for grantee; using Planning and Implementations Guides to support grantees in systematic planning; tailoring assistance to the specific needs of the grantees; offering peer-to-peer learning opportunities; drawing on outside experts (such as our partners) to enhance TTA; and development of resources and tools to support grantees’ goals. 

As a TTA provider for the Justice and Mental Health Collaborations Program, and other federal grantees, we have deep experience in helping jurisdictions improve outcomes for people with mental health disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our partners will supplement our expertise.