Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1794 Community Re-entry Program
Requester:	Mathes Guice		Organization:		Community Reconstruction Institute
Project Title:	Community Re-entry Program		Date Submitted:		01/31/2000 2:28:34 PM
District Member:	Mandy Dawson		Service Area:		Regional
Counties Affected:	Broward, Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach
Recipient:	Community Reconstruction Institute		Contact:		Mathes Guice
	6299 West Sunrise Boulevard		Contact Phone:		(954) 791-8893
	Sunrise 33313
Project Description:
The community re-entry program (CRP) serves offenders newly released from prison, on probation, and in community corrections programs. CRP provides and coordinates services so that clients can become socially and economically productive members of their families and their communities, thereby avoiding a return to prison. Program staff includes case managers, job developers, education specialist, a legal advisor, and support group facilitators. Each client is assigned to a case manager, who conducts a comprehensive needs assessment, coordinates the provision of services, and monitors the clients progress. Services offered on-site include: job readiness training; career guidance; educational/vocational placements; job referrals and placements; a legal clinic; a clothing bank; financial planning assistance; support groups; and transportation assistance "bus passes". Outside referrals are made for treatment of medical, dental, psychological, and substance abuse problems, as well as housing.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
CRP is based on a philosophy of shared responsibility, which expects ex-offenders to take an active role in their ultimate sucess. This approach results in more successful job placements, a higher percentage of job retention, a lower percentage of school drop-outs, and a lower rate of recidivism. Having increased numbers of ex-offenders working in the community rather than commiting crimes benefits the State of Florida both financially and qualitatively. (1) The cost of arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating are reduced. A study of CRP's 1997-98 operation estimated that the program saved the State $8.5 million dollars of costs of incarceration alone. (2) The cost to victims are reduced. The 1997-98 study estimated that CRP saved $15.6 million dollars in victim costs. (3) The wages earned and taxes paid by the ex-offender benefit the State and the community, and reduce the need for state support for the ex-offender's family. The 1997-98 study estimates that CRP clients had an earning capacity of $1.9 million dollars. (4) Studies suggest that children who have parents who are not incarcerated may be less likely to become involved in the criminal justice system themselves. (5) Increased public safety the quality of life for all citizens, and may impact positively on tourism.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The following have been identified as the CRP target outcomesL: (1) at least 60% of clients identified as needing employment shall obtain employment withing 120 days; (2) at least 70% of clients identified as needing educational and/or vocational programming shall demonstrate improvement in skill levels or completion of prescribed programming; (3) at least 75% of clients participating in career guidance training shall successfully complete the program; (4) at least 75% of clients participating in the job readiness training shall successfully complete the training; (5) clients who require housing will receive assistance in establishing a housing plan, and a referral to a social service agency for assistance; (6) a follow-up status confirmation will be done for all clients 30, 60, and 90 days after placement in jobs, school, or other services; (7) no more than 12% of CRP clients will become recidivists. All services provided for each client are documented in the client files, and are entered daily into CRP's Management Information System. MIS reports are generated twice each month detailing the services provided for each client.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$4,500,000
Total cost of the project:		$4,500,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Unknown
Was this project previously funded by the State?						Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1999-2000		Amount:		$500,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$4,500,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						No
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Broward Sheriff's Office
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Yes
	Hearing Body:	Broward County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	12/14/1999