Wyandotte Offender Reentry Treatment & Housing Initiative (WORTHI)Project and Offender Workforce Development (OWD) Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail into communities and the subsequent challenges communities face as offenders attempt to reintegrate into society. The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders. Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

Risk reduction and reentry work in Kansas is implemented according to evidence-based practices (EBP). EBP is used in risk reduction, treatment and services for individuals, supportive housing, job readiness and job development. Kansas Department of Corrections will use their FY 2010 funds to continue two reentry programs currently used. They are the Offender Workforce Development Program (OWD) Project and Wyandotte Offender Reentry Treatment & Housing Initiative (WORTHI) Project. The OWD project is used for risk and need assessments with the Level of Services Inventory-Revised (LSI-R). This program assesses the need for education and employment. The WORTHI project assess the special need for offenders who need safe and affordable permanent housing with a full array of comprehensive services, and peer support, to ensure success.

CA/NCF