TEAM Connections Project

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 recipient will utilize award funds to implement an evidence-based reentry plan incorporating adult mentoring relationships and transition services addressing individual needs. The target population is 150 adults age 18 and older convicted as an adult and incarcerated in a Missouri corrections facility, and returning to a high risk neighborhood in Jackson County, Missouri. All program participants are assessed as medium to high risk. The program will offer the following transitional services: job readiness training; placement and retention; cognitive behavioral training; case management; education interventions; and other community support services. The pre-release services consist of mentoring, transition planning and needs assessments. The post-release services also includes mentoring, as well as job readiness training, employment, case management and other individual identified services.

CA/NCF