To support the goal of the first step act initiative to increase participants' work readiness at the time of release, increase employment after, and reduce recidivism through the initiative's…

The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions was awarded a $20.4 million cooperative agreement from the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration under the Reentry Employment Opportunities (CFDA 17.270) federal grant program. The award will support the goal of increasing work readiness, employment, and reducing recidivism for federally incarcerated individuals under the First Step Act initiative. Key deliverables include enrolling 375 participants from three Bureau of Prisons facilities in work readiness and job placement services, with a focus on sustainable wage employment opportunities.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce will serve as the lead agency, with oversight, financial management, reporting, monitoring, and technical assistance for three local workforce development board sub-awardees - Capital Area, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, and the City of Durham. Services will be provided to the Butner Federal Prison Complex and coordinated between programs, community organizations, and faith-based partnerships. The overall objectives are to promote successful community reentry while supporting the missions of the First Step Act and Butner Federal Prison Complex.

To support the goal of the first step act initiative to increase participants' work readiness at the time of release, increase employment after, and reduce recidivism through the initiative's three-stage program approach: during incarceration in federal prisons; during time spent in residential reentry centers (RRCS), and after release from RRCS into the community. Activities performed DWS will partner with three local workforce development boards, capital area (CAWD), kerr-TAR, and durham to provide services to the butner federal prison complex. Additionally, by providing these services, the DWS and partners will engage in a dual effect of services that support both the mission of butner federal prison complex and the FSA initiative to promote public safety by providing educational, training, and employment opportunities, in addition to supportive services, to federally incarcerated individuals as they approach community reentry. Deliverables enroll 375 participants from 3 BOP facilities increasing their work readiness and employment in sustainable wage positions; and reducing recidivism intended beneficiary federally incarcerated individuals in chatham, durham, franklin, granville, johnston, LEE, person, vance, wake, and warren counties subrecipient activities three local workforce development boards, capital area (CAWD), kerr-TAR, and durham will provide services to the butner federal prison complex. This will be accomplished by delivering operations through integrated service delivery between the program, community organizations, and faith-based community partnerships.