Returning Citizens Advancement Program (RCAP)

The Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) Returning Citizens Advancement Program (RCAP) is an occupational training and workforce development program for justice-involved individuals located in Travis County, Texas and surrounding regions. The purpose of RCAP is to provide justice-involved individuals – both currently and formerly incarcerated – with the necessary skills and training to successfully access post-secondary educational opportunities, industry-recognized credentials, and high-quality employment. RCAP participants acquire workplace  skills and credentials, complete educational opportunities, and embark on a path toward  sustainable workforce involvement. 

AAUL staff will engage in the following key activities: (1) recruit and retain justice-involved individuals; (2) partner with justice system entities to provide education and training inside carceral institutions; (3) provide cohort-based education, training, and workforce development opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals; (4) provide individualized case management and wraparound support services, including assistance with financial literacy, digital literacy, housing support, transportation support, and other services to ensure participants’ basic needs are met and mitigate barriers to employment and career development; (5) maintain connections with fair chance employers to facilitate high-quality job placements for justice-impacted individuals; and (6) facilitate placement of participants in post-secondary educational programs, credential opportunities, and full-time jobs. 

The AAUL Workforce and Career Development pillar and Education and Youth Development pillar will serve 150+ participants with the above activities by the end of the project period. By actively engaging each participant in these activities and with individualized, trauma-informed case management, AAUL will facilitate a recidivism rate of less than 20% and will achieve the following outcomes: (1) 80% of participants will find employment within their field, (2) 90% of participants seeking a credential will successfully obtain a credential, and (3) 80% of participants will graduate from an educational/training program. 

The AAUL has 47 years of experience providing tools for African Americans and underserved populations to build a foundation for social and economic equity. With a robust track record of success reaching justice-impacted and underrepresented communities in the greater Central Texas area, AAUL is prepared to implement these services and achieve positive outcomes in workforce and career development for justice-impacted communities.