THE COORDINATED RESPONSE TO REENTRY Alameda County Reentry Network

Presentation Overview Reentry in Alameda County Constructing the Alameda County Reentry Network Operating the Reentry Network Role of the Reentry Network

UNDERSTANDING THE REENTRY POPULATION POPULATION SIZE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION DEMOGRAPHICS SERVICE NEEDS Reentry in Alameda County

Reentry Continuum Incarceration – period while incarcerated before pre- release planning has begun Pre-Release – planning phase leading up to release Reentry – establish long- term solutions for health, housing, employment etc. Release - Released from institution and transition to community, ideally in accordance with pre-release plan OUTSIDE INSIDE

Reentry Population in Alameda County As of June 2007 Alameda County had 20,092 adults under criminal justice supervision 1 in 100 persons in Alameda County and 3 in 100 persons in Oakland are currently under criminal justice supervision Oakland and Hayward comprise 59% of all of parolees and probationers in Alameda County with East and West Oakland having the highest concentrations

Reentry Population Demographics Alameda County parolee population is: Overwhelmingly male (91%) Under 50 years old (97%) with the largest proportion in the age range People of color (84%) with African Americans comprising the largest ethnic group constituting 67% of the parolee population

Reentry Population Service Needs Housing: a safe place to live that does not place the recently released person at risk of violating the terms of their release Income: sufficient income to handle the transitional period between release and a first pay check Health Care: continuity of care from incarceration to community especially for persons with chronic conditions.

A NEEDED RESPONSE TO A RISING DEMAND Constructing the Alameda County Reentry Network

Need to Coordinating Efforts Alameda County and its cities have begun to address reentry through a series of initiatives and programs Recognizing the need to coordinate, various groups have begun to regularly convene and meet with other stakeholders The Alameda County Reentry Network establishes an infrastructure that brings these various groups together and facilitates coordination and collaboration

Theory Method Theoretical Foundation of Reentry Network

Reentry Network Goals 1. To provide a centralized infrastructure for sharing information and improving the coordination of reentry services across Alameda County 2. To ensure the effective and efficient use of public and private funding for reentry services and infrastructure within Alameda County and its cities 3. To present city, county, state and federal decision makers with clear and concise policy and program recommendations that will improve outcomes for the reentry population and their families

ALAMEDA COUNTY RE-ENTRY NETWORK

Decision Makers Committee Meets twice a year to approve the Annual Plan for the upcoming year and then six months later to receive a Mid-Year Review presented by the coordinating Council Composed of elected officials, city/county agency heads and foundation leadership

Coordinating Council Meets monthly Responsible for the coordination of the Annual Plan and the Mid-Year Review Hub through which information of new and current reentry programs, activities, practices, policies and funding opportunities is disseminated throughout the Network Representative body composed of chair from each Reentry Network Committees as well as staff from county/city agencies, elected officials, service providers and community organizations

Implementation Committee Meets every other month Works to improve implementation of current reentry initiatives as well as expanding effective initiative- level reentry efforts across Alameda County and the cities Composed of service providers and city/county agency staff working on initiatives (e.g. Measure Y)

Networking and Professional Development Meets monthly Composed of servicer providers and community organizations Vehicle for service providers and others to regularly communicate with one another as well as identifying and providing professional development activities

HOW DOES THE REENTRY NETWORK FUNCTION Operating the Reentry Network

Communication Coordinating Council receives input from chairs of each committee and maintains website with all information related to reentry Chairs report back to respective committees keeping all Reentry Network members current Coordinating Council consolidates feedback from each table and produces annual plan and mid year report to deliver concise message to Decision Makers

Coordination Each committee brings together colleagues involved in similar work New programs can be easily connected with existing programs working in a similar area Coordinating Council provides birds eye view to ensure planning across Reentry Network For example, the Coordinating Council will develop a plan for how the County should prepare to deal with the second chance funding that will be coming shortly

Advocacy Task Forces develop recommendations on specific issues that are included in the final report and advocated for by the Coordinating Council Reentry Network works with members and county/city leadership to be efficient in advocacy activities

Role of the Reentry Network

Reentry Network is a Resource Serves as a resource for all stakeholders from grassroots to policymakers Provide access to needed data and information Place to generate and explore new and emerging programs and policies

Reentry Network is a Promoter Vehicle for promoting what works Gives Alameda County a more cohesive voice to ensure that the needs of the formerly incarcerated are prioritized