Prisoner Reentry Services Expansion Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Westside Health Authority will provide case management services for recently released offenders in Chicago's Westside communities. A large number of offenders released from Illinois prisons return to a small number of neighborhoods in Chicago, which are unprepared and oftentimes unwilling to receive them back into their communities. Case managers will work with a limited number of clients from the Sheridan Correctional Facility and their families who will receive a comprehensive array of services beginning before release. Case managers will interview each client to identify the individual strengths, interests, and barriers to successful reintegration, and will develop an Individual Capacity Plan (ICP) to map out their journey. Clients will receive referrals based on needs identified through the ICP, including counseling services, family reunification services, transitional housing, job training and placement, GED and career options, substance abuse treatment, and peer mentoring.

NCA/NCF