Reintegrating Individuals Successfully through Empowerment (RISE) Project

In partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections, Goodwill Industries of South Florida proposes to implement the Reintegrating Individuals Successfully through Empowerment Project. The program seeks to assist up to 300 reentering citizens reintegrate back into the tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Broward Counties communities. Project activities include case management and wraparound services with linkages to community agencies and services, vocational and employability skills training in high demand industries, and work experience and job placement. The project will help these returning citizens and formerly incarcerated individuals gain vocational skills and stackable credentials within high-demand industry sectors, obtain work experience for sustainable employment, and have coordinated support in place so as not to return to criminal behavior. Based on evidence-informed practices, the 36-month program coordinates through a network of community partners to provide both pre- and post-release services to include case management, workforce and employability skills development, and job placement, which research shows is effective in reducing recidivism. Expected outcomes include increased collaboration between community- and faith-based organizations and corrections, law enforcement, and other local reentry stakeholders; developed comprehensive case management plans that directly address criminogenic risks and needs as identified; and delivered and facilitated services in a manner consistent with participants’ learning style and abilities.