Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes (FY 2023)

With this solicitation, BJA seeks to improve educational and employment programs that serve individuals during incarceration and throughout their period of reentry into the community. The Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes Program promotes an evidence-based and data-informed approach that will provide meaningful opportunities, interrupt the cycle of unemployment, improve economic mobility, and promote reentry success for formerly incarcerated adults. There are two categories for funding:

1. Category 1: Improving Correctional Education
2. Category 2: Improving Employment Services and Connections

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

Goals

Category 1: Improving Correctional Education

• Improve the educational and vocational education programs available to individuals who are incarcerated in prisons and jails and upon their return to the community. Services should begin prior to release from incarceration and continue throughout participants’ period of reentry.

Category 2: Improving Employment Services and Connections

• Provide career training, including subsidized employment when part of a training program, to adults who are incarcerated in prisons and jails and upon their return to the community. Services should begin prior to release from incarceration and continue throughout participants’ period of reentry.
• Remove regulatory employment barriers for incarcerated adults returning to their communities.

Objectives

Category 1: Improving Correctional Education

• Implement or expand educational and vocational programs for incarcerated adults that result in improved educational outcomes, as measured by literacy attainment, high school equivalence, and high school and higher education diplomas, certifications, and other credentials.
• Demonstrate increased collaboration between educational providers and corrections, community supervision providers, and other reentry stakeholders.
• Implement or expand post-secondary education and operations with a focus on the mandated Pell reinstatement for incarcerated students.

Category 2: Improving Employment Services and Connections

• Implement or expand job readiness assessments, individualized case plans, and employment-related services for incarcerated adults that result in improved employment readiness, attainment, and retention.
• Articulate and implement a robust vision for reentry employment with transitional supports and a focus on employment.

Note: Category 2 applicants must commit to ensuring public safety by restricting internet access within incarcerated settings as deemed appropriate by the respective correctional agency.

Deliverables

All Categories:

• Develop an action plan with input from BJA and an assigned technical assistance coach, submitted within 6 months of receiving final budget approval. A final report at the end of the project period.

For more information, see the most recent BJA grant solicitation and materials.