Reentry Steering Teams Missouri Reentry Process George A. Lombardi Missouri Department of Corrections

Leadership from the Top Commitment from the Governor – Executive Order Commitment from the Department of Corrections Commitment from key Cabinet members  Active participation  Sharing of information  Willingness to truly collaborate Commitment from staff in all departments involved in the initiative Commitment from National Institute of Corrections  Advice and technical assistance

State Agency Representatives MRP Steering Team Department of Corrections Department of Mental Health Department of Social Services Department of Revenue Department of Health and Senior Services Office of State Court Administrator Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Department of Economic Development Department of Public Safety Department of Transportation Community involvement: law enforcement, victims, faith-based, treatment providers, ex-offenders

MRP State Steering Team Originally the TPCI Implementation Team.  Focus on developing data driven strategies to improve the transition process.  Formally chartered and provided a roadmap and essential process support.

MRP Steering Team Roadmap Clear understanding of current Missouri practices and Missouri goals Missouri Baseline data. Focus Groups Identify risk and protective factors in Missouri Review “what works” literature Identify strategies to improve reentry and achieve goals- Ad-hoc teams Implement changes!

MRP State Steering Team One of the greatest collaborations in state government…  Identify ALL potential stakeholders  Articulate a common mission  Solidify commitment to MRP  Identify conflicting policies and procedures  Plan improvements based on data  Collaborate to remove barriers and apply the principles of reentry /evidence based practice at the state level.  Establish regular and continuing communication  Expedite information flow  Communicate the Governor’s support

Establish Local Steering Teams 44 Local MRP Teams  Representatives from community organizations, local and state agencies, faith based organizations, local law enforcement, judiciary, local businesses, treatment providers, victims, ex offenders and correctional staff.  Collaboration to apply the principles of reentry and evidence based practice to meet the UNIQUE needs in each community.

Support Local Steering Teams Local Team “Starter Kit” provides guidance on:  Preparing for team development, including stakeholder identification and meeting structure.  Education of the community regarding reentry issues.  Chartering a team, roles and responsibilities of members, and building team cohesiveness.  Developing data driven strategies.  Planning and monitoring implementation.

Overcoming Barriers Staff at all levels in all of the partnering agencies have to be educated on the process and why it is important. No one agency “owns” the process. Common interests and goals must be identified. Information must be freely shared among agencies. Leadership needs to be kept informed. Celebrate successes as they occur. Regular and sustained communication is key.

Lessons Learned What TO Do:  Have the full support form the state agency director and clear delegation of his or her authority.  Keep other Department Heads informed and invested.  Be data driven.  Use a professional facilitator.

Lessons Learned What TO Do:  Accept only senior decision makers from partner agencies on the Steering Team  Have a Steering Team chair that is a “boundary spanner,” has rank, common sense, personality, patience, persistence, thick skin, an open mind, and a sense of humor.

Lessons Learned What NOT To Do:  Tolerate mediocrity, indifference, inconsistent participation or unprofessional conflict among team members – replace them if necessary.  Rely exclusively or even primarily on national data.  Underestimate resistance.  Overestimate resistance.  Take on world hunger.  Promise something you cannot deliver.

State and Local Collaboration Highlighted Examples Partnerships for Second Chance Grants  Second Chance in Action Grantee: Department of Corrections Serves Moderate and High Risk Women in a rural area Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Local MRP Teams  On Track Reentry Court Grantee: Office of State Courts Administrator Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health, Local MRP Team

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