ChancesR

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.

Beaver County will use the grant funds to support the ChancesR Re-entry Program. The program will administer the General Assessment of Instructional Needs (GAIN) assessment to offenders who have behavioral health disorders who have been incarcerated in the Beaver County Jail. This assessment will be used to design jail-based treatment, re-entry planning, and post-release services. Working in close collaboration with the criminal justice system, ChancesR will provide, both pre- and post-release, treatment, educational/ vocational services, peer support, family mentoring, and assistance with housing. The predominant use of SCA grant funds will be for the payment of consultant fees to the seven partners in the project, who will provide services such as evaluation, psychiatric services, vocational services, mentoring, treatment, and training. The grant funds will also be expended for personnel and benefits, travel, training, supplies, and indirect costs.

CA/NCF