Back on Track

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.

Goodwill Industries of San Francisco will use the grant funds to support the Back on Track (BOT) program, which is a unique public-private, systems-change initiative that offers career development as an alternative for first time offenders facing a felony drug charge. The BOT program will serve offenders between the ages of 18 and 30, who will enter a guilty plea with a deferred entry of judgment and enroll in the year-long program. BOT combines intensive support and supervision with restorative justice and swift sanctions for bad decisions. Services offered include case management, life skills instruction, work-based job training, parenting classes, mediation for delinquent child support payments, counseling, job placement, and retention services. Once a participant successfully completes the program, the case against him or her is dropped. Funds will support the salaries of staff who oversee the program and work with clients.

NCA/NCF