Guara BI (GB) INC. Proposes providing comprehensive pre- and post-release reentry services to 75 youth ages 1620 releasing from incarceration at the two juvenile correctional facilities in puerto rico

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded a $750,000 grant under the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative (CFDA 16.812) to Guara Bi Inc., a non-profit organization based in Caguas, Puerto Rico. The grant will fund comprehensive pre- and post-release reentry services for 75 youth ages 16-20 releasing from incarceration at two juvenile correctional facilities in Puerto Rico. The program will also provide 6 months of case management and supportive services to an additional group of court-mandated youth not currently incarcerated. Key services include assessments, pre-release support up to 3 months before release, and post-release services for up to 6 months. Guara Bi Inc. will partner with the Puerto Rico Department of Correction and the Office for Socio-Economic and Community Development to deliver these critical reentry and rehabilitation interventions over the 3-year grant performance period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The program will also target youth ages 1620 in a court-mandated rehabilitative program (not incarcerated) supervised by a court social worker. Guara BI will partner with the puerto rico department of correction and the office for socio-economic and community development. Puerto rico department of correction will provide authorization for guara BI staff to enter the facilities to begin services, as well as communicate with detention staff to access information that will support case planning. All participants will receive comprehensive assessments at enrollment, time of release, and discharge from the program. The program will provide pre-release services up to 3 months before release and up to 6 months post-release. Youth in a court-mandated rehabilitative program will receive 6 months of case management and supportive services.