The houston health department (HHD) community RE-entry network program (CRNP) will partner with the community to devise effective strategies for reducing recidivism, enhancing public safety, and…

The City of Houston's Health and Human Services Division received a $825,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.812 - Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative) to support the Community Re-Entry Network Program (CRNP). The program will partner with the local community to devise strategies for reducing recidivism, enhancing public safety, and facilitating the successful transition of ex-offenders aged 18 to 80 into productive members of the Houston community. Key services provided under the grant include assessment, case management, job readiness and development, life skills education, and evidence-based interventions such as Moral Reconation Therapy, anger management, and peer support groups. The grant also enables access to essential needs like housing, identification documents, and mental health services to empower participants and address underlying contributors to crime. The program aims to mitigate drug and alcohol abuse, a major factor in recidivism, and expand community partnerships to provide employment opportunities. The grant period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The houston health department (HHD) community RE-entry network program (CRNP) will partner with the community to devise effective strategies for reducing recidivism, enhancing public safety, and facilitating the successful transition of EX-offenders into productive members of the houston community. CRNP serves adults aged 18 to 80 affected by the criminal justice system in houston and greater houston areas, while the my brothers (MBK) redirect program serves male adolescents aged 10 to 17, both pre and post adjudication. The program offers comprehensive services including assessment (mental and behavioral health), case management, job readiness and development, life skills education, and training to foster independence and self-sufficiency among participants. CRNP activities encompass assessment, case management, trauma-informed care, limited temporary job placement, education referrals, and counseling. IT also provides evidence-based cognitive training such as moral reconation therapy (MRT), anger management, texas drug offender education program (TDOEP), and peer support groups facilitated by individuals who have successfully completed the program. Peer support groups enable participants to support each other through shared experiences, while anger management and TDOEP programs offer treatment and education on substance use disorders and associated illegal activities. MRT employs a cognitive-behavioral approach to address various issues including substance abuse, domestic violence, trauma, and job skills development. The one-stop-shop initiative has facilitated access to essential needs such as food, housing, birth certificates, and drivers licenses, empowering participants to seek employment. IT has also enabled onsite provision of mental health services by partnering mental health providers. These activities are evidence-based which significantly address mental health needs and other needs which includes housing, job placements, education, transportation, and substance abuse. IT has been proven to reduce rearrest and recidivism rates among participants and have mitigated drug and alcohol abuse, a major contributor to crime. Additionally, more community partners have joined workforce initiatives aimed at providing employment opportunities to individuals affected by the criminal justice system.