Project Peer Connection (PPC)

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) reflects a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and are returning to communities. Section 211 of the Act authorizes grants to nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for mentoring projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of adults who have been incarcerated. “Mentoring” refers to a developmental relationship in which a more experienced person helps a less experienced person develop an enhanced sense of self-worth and specific knowledge and skills to increase the chance of successful reentry.

The goal of the Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors is to promote more effective and successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals through the utilization of comprehensive, evidence-based wrap-around reentry plans which address the identified needs of the individuals and are supported by trained mentors. These needs are often related to housing, employment, substance abuse, and mental health.

The grant recipient will use funds to support a statewide reentry mentoring project providing one-to-one peer support to higher risk individuals who complete substance abuse treatment while incarcerated to help them lead drug-free, crime-free lives. Goals and deliverables include: 1) Coordinate implementation plans across criminal justice entities; 2) Recruit and match mentors with mentees; 3) Ensure high-quality service delivery through pre-service training, quarterly in-service training and ongoing supervision of staff and mentors; and, 4) Reduce one-year recidivism by 30% from the 21% baseline for the general population by increasing use of: pro-social connections, housing services, substance abuse services, employment support, primary and mental health services and educational programs.

CA/NCF