Innovative Training, Best Practices, Reentry Works

Section from the Incubator Project.

. . . Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Experience Social and Emotional Barriers.

Past, present and future relationships: This includes family, friends and others that have an emotional connection with the re-entrant. These sorts of relationships may impact transitioning back into the community negatively. It may even be triggers for potential relapse or they could even be beneficial if nurtured properly.

Some Solutions That Really Work.

Teach life skills that help members develop praiseworthy social norms and personable skills
Offer grooming and appearance assistance such as free tattoo removal, haircut, dress code tips and dental services if needed. Members will advocate that these services should be free where it relates to securing employment
Family reunification support and how to develop new and healthy relationships with others
Introduction into social settings that are positive and encouraging when developing new friends and associates
Healthy exercises that allow members to practice making amends to family, friends and community
Establish positive principles to live by, or faith principles (if religious)
Attending community engagement events such as clean slate programs, relief clinics, advocacy and services, political forums and other opportunities where members can advocate for themselves in obtaining economic justice and empowerment

Economic and Employment Barriers.

Criminal record is the first obstacles that stands out for members. There may be educational or skills barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining livable employment.

Some Solutions That Really Work.

At first point of contact, agencies must enable members to compete in the workforce by creating a check list of items e.g., CA ID/driver’s license, social security card, job interview wardrobe, and transportation (just to name a few)
Enroll members into educational courses that include reading and comprehension, GED, and other areas that have been identified as shortcomings. This may include, and are not limited to, soft skills training, computer literacy, customer services training, etc. Members must advocate that these services be free when related to securing employment. This could be done through a voucher system offered through the Probation and Parole Department or similar agencies
Obtain letters of support designed to incentivize employers to hire someone with a criminal background, these letters should come from institutions, government agencies e.g. the Probation Department and City officials
Obtaining a certificate of rehabilitation for those that have discharged parole or probation
Identify community engagement events, political forums and other opportunities where members can advocate for themselves in obtaining economic justice as a renewed citizen
Agencies should also create their own Certificate of Rehabilitation that members can present to employers when looking for employment.

Barriers after Employment.

Depending on the length of incarceration, type of crime, or employment history, many members may not understand nor understand what their rights are, how to access certain benefits that they may qualify for, or how to manage their finances. Other barriers are as follows:

Establishing credit
Credit and other debt
Qualifying for affordable housing
When is it safe not to mark the box (felony)
How to obtain an affordable car loan without outrageous APR%
Obtaining quality healthcare insurance
Obtaining security clearances for promotion or new job position
Passing a Live Scan

Some Solutions That Really Work.

Insist that members attend financial planning workshops, money management courses which helps in avoiding bad budgeting
Assistance with opening savings account
Identify community engagement events specific to workforce forums and other opportunities where members can advocate for themselves in the matter of affordable housing, banning the box, and similar topics
Offer members alternatives to banking resources such as credit unions and similar financial institutions that do not charges fees on your own money, etc.

Projects

Section from the Incubator Project.

. . . Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Experience Social and Emotional Barriers.

Some Solutions That Really Work.

Economic and Employment Barriers.

Some Solutions That Really Work.

Barriers after Employment.

Some Solutions That Really Work.

Other Speaking topics