MBI Reentry Wellness Program

The MBI Reentry Wellness Program aims to meaningfully advance equity and remove barriers to accessing services and opportunities for communities of Wards 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia that have been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, victimization, and poverty. Wards 7 and 8 are majority African-American, and many of these residents consistently experience justice-related challenges. Now justice-involved individuals who are released from incarceration, are often struck with multifaceted challenges, which affects their reintegration into the community. Specifically, their risk for behavioral health challenges is higher where many struggle with mental health, trauma, and substance use. And coupled with that, are socio-economic challenges such as sustaining adequate housing and supplies, inadequate meaningful employment prospects, inadequate medical care, inadequate education or vocational training, and inadequate legal and social services. All these challenges serve as barriers to employment for returning citizens.

Through an evidence-based approach, MBI Research Institute (MBIRI) in partnership with the D.C Department of Corrections and MBI’s Supported Employment Services, propose a continuum of pre-release and post-release programming to improve the quality of life for formerly justice-involved adults returning into the community by empowering them to be self-sufficient and minimize their risk of reoffending. The program will provide direct intensive behavioral health and case management services, and also serve as a conduit to job preparation workshops and workforce development pathways that are free and accessible to resident in the District of Columbia. The long-term outcomes of the program will contribute towards public safety and community growth in the District of Columbia by extending comprehensive reentry support to more justice-involved adults thus enabling them to achieve independence, dignity, and recovery.