Ex-Offender Re-Entry and Employment Initiative

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 Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF), in Baltimore Maryland, will expand its re-entry program, the Ex-Offender Re-Entry and Employment Initiative. The LCF Initiative is a collaborative effort between LCF, local community organizations, and state correctional agencies to develop pre-release and post-release employment services for ex-offenders returning to the East Baltimore neighborhoods. LCF teaches employment, academic, and general life skills to incarcerated offenders three to six months prior to their release. The project then transitions the offenders into a paid position on the next working day after release, and ensures employment for up to six months, as well as provides individual case management aftercare for as long as three years.

NCA/NCF