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

This federal Project Grant award of $900,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.812 Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative) will enable Operation New Hope, Inc., a non-profit organization, to expand its pre-release and post-release reentry services in Florida over the next 3 years. The funding will serve over 150 additional individuals returning from incarceration by providing individualized transition plans, career and technical training, job placement assistance, and transitional support for up to 1 year post-release. Operation New Hope will leverage its partnerships with over 500 employers to deliver customized training in high-demand sectors such as construction, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics, transportation, and customer service. The organization's evidence-based approach uses certified case managers and integrates mental health counseling to address criminogenic risks and needs and reduce recidivism.

The proposed projects objective is to expand the operation new hope INC.'s 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 project's target population is adult floridians with a criminal record who are willing to remain drug-free and able and motivated to work. Operation new hope currently delivers pre-release services at over 40 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 correctional facilities to help participants gain employment skills and certifications prior to release. Operation new hope offers post-release training and support services in jacksonville, ST. Augustine, orlando, tampa, ST. Pete, and coca, florida, serving 5 of the top 10 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. Operation new hope pairs clients with a licensed mental health therapist, 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 evidenced-based risk assessment tool to determine criminogenic risk and needs and develop comprehensive individualized plans that directly address those risks and needs. Operation new hope has worked closely with over 500 employers to monitor labor market needs and promote the importance of fair chance hiring practices. The applicant has built customized training courses to prepare clients to meet the specific job skills and partners with career and technical certification programs to create condensed training courses focused on regionally high-demand employment sectors including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics/transportation, and customer service careers. Operation new hope uses efforts to outcome tracking software to collect and share data and outcome measures. The performance of all aspects of applicant programs are evaluated including training, graduation, employment, wage, and recidivism rates.