The West Shoreline Family and Jobs 1st 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.

County of Ottawa will use the FY 2010 grant funds for the West Shoreline Family and Jobs 1st project. The focus of the project will be to establish a "family and jobs first" model of re-entry for incarcerated individuals. This model will ensure that felony-convicted parents of children (0-5 years of age) who are being released from prison and jail have quick access to employment (financial resources), community resources, and the social support needed to reconnect with their families. Employment resources under this project will consist of pre-release employment preparation and post release job placement (transitional employment with wage subsidies and on-the-job training subsidies) services. Family reunification services will include pre-release parenting preparation and post release parenting support for program participants.

CA/NCF