The Second Chance Reentry Employment Project will provide intensive employment focused case management services for a minimum of 30 participants who are supervised by Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) in the Eastern Jackson County District (D24). Utilizing the evidence-based practices developed by the National Institue of Corrections (NIC), the Resource Specialist(s) will work with eligible participants, area employers, landlords, community agencies and MODOC to identify and address employment-related barriers, address underlying issues of trauma that can lead to job loss, allocate resources for participants and provide wrap-around services related to the overall health and success of reintegration from incarceration. 

Barriers to employment and successful reintegration are dynamic and can include criminal history, lack of employment stability, lack of education, transportation issues, unstable housing, histories of trauma, substance misuse, etc. The intention of this project is to respond to those with critical risk-need factors in the domain of reentry employment.

Services will be delivered through classroom instruction (Job Club): individualized, intensive case management: cooperation and collaboration with Probation/Parole Officers of MODOC: community education initiatives: employer education and workforce development efforts: as well as utilizing the resources and knowledge of community partnerships with local social service agencies. 

Job Club curriculum and case management services have been written, developed and administered to the national reentry community by the NIC. Second Chance Resource Specialist(s) have been certified as Offender Workforce Devleopment Specialists and have received Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health First Aid, Cultural Competenc, and a variety of other disciplined trainings to make the services offered dynamic and diverse in nature. The Second Chance Risk Reduction Center staff has more than 10 years of experience contracting with MODOC to deliver intentional and high quality reentry services, as well as more than eight years of experience in reentry employment, boasting a track record of successful employment and recidivism reduction outcomes.

COMBAT Funding: $13,900.00