Comprehensive Re-Entry and Mentoring Program

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of incarcerated adults and juveniles who are released from prison, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and returning to communities. The Second Chance Act grant funding is designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by reentry and recidivism reduction. “Reentry” is not a specific program, but rather a process that starts when an individual is initially incarcerated and ends when he or she has been successfully reintegrated in the community as a law-abiding citizen. Section 211 of the Second Chance Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. §17531, authorizes grants to nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for services to promote the safe and successful community reintegration of adults who have been incarcerated.

The Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program supports organizations providing comprehensive reentry services to program participants who are screened, assessed, and identified for program participation pre-release. During the post-release phase of the reentry program, participants will receive case management services and be connected to evidence-based programming designed to ensure that the transition from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful. The goal of this program is to support community-and faith-based organizations in developing and implementing comprehensive and collaborative programs that support people who are reentering communities from incarceration and are at medium to high risk of reoffending.

Volunteers of America of Los Angeles will use awarded grant funds to help 210 homeless offenders reintegrate into the community following release from jail. They will be provided pre and post-release services (i.e., case management, housing planning, job-readiness, mentoring, housing placement, mentoring), and linkages to supportive services such as employment, healthcare, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, education and life skills.

CA/NCF