Florida has the 3RD largest incarcerated population in america and 95% will be released

The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a $900,000 Project Grant under the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative (CFDA 16.812) to Operation New Hope, Inc. to expand their pre-release and post-release reentry services for over 150 returning citizens in Florida over the next 3 years. The funding will support individualized plans of care, career and technical training, job placement, and transitional support for a full year. Operation New Hope provides services at 30 correctional facilities and in 5 of the top 7 counties with the highest number of returning citizens, including Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Orlando, and Tampa. The organization partners with over 400 employers to promote second chance hiring and has built customized training courses to prepare clients for in-demand jobs in sectors like construction, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics/transportation, and customer service.

The proposed projects objective is to expand the applicants currently delivered pre-release and post-release reentry services to support more people returning from incarceration in florida. Funding from this grant will serve over 150 additional people over the next 3 years ($6,000 per client average). Clients are identified pre- and post-release to receive reentry services that include individualized plans of care, career and technical training, job placement, and transitional support for a full year. The applicants target population is adult floridians with a criminal record who are willing to remain drug-free and able and motivated to work. The applicant currently delivers pre-release services at 30 correctional facilities across florida. Case managers create individualized transition plans ensuring adequate housing, transportation, and job training. The applicant also delivers job readiness and life-skills training at 2 correctional facilities to help participants gain employment skills and certifications prior to release. The applicant offers post-release training and support services in jacksonville, ST. Augustine, orlando, and tampa, serving 5 of the top 7 counties with the highest number of returning citizens. Post-release program participants are required to remain drug-free and attend three weeks of career development training featuring personal and professional development, financial literacy, and technology skills. The applicant pairs clients with a licensed mental health counselor, case manager, and job coach who provide support for a full year tailored to meet individual needs and goals. Case managers are all certified on the level of service/risk need responsivity (lsrn) evidenced-based risk assessment tool to determine criminogenic risk and needs and develop comprehensive individualized plans that directly address those risks and needs. The applicant has worked closely with over 400 employers to monitor labor market needs and promote second chance hiring practices. The applicant has built customized training courses to prepare clients to meet the specific job skills of employment partners. The applicant partners with career and technical certification programs to create condensed training courses focused on the following regionally high demand employment sectors including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics/transportation, and customer service careers. The applicant uses efforts to outcome tracking software to collect and share data and outcome measures. The performance of all aspects of our programs are evaluated including training, graduation, employment, wage, and recidivism rates.