NC Reentry 2030 Dashboard

DAC will identify internal reoccurring funding for LRCs.

DAC will collaborate with other Departments and sources such as philanthropic foundations and local governments to provide funding for LRCs.

DAC will advocate for additional funding for LRCs from the General Assembly by providing evidence-based data and information of the benefits of LRCs to the State of North Carolina.

DAC will collaborate with the Office of Strategic Partnerships to partner with researchers to conduct a study on the effectiveness of LRCs.

DAC will review and revise the LRC model to ensure all relevant agencies/resources are represented and best practices are shared across the state.

DAC and DPS will ensure collaborative support between local Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils, DAC, LRCs, employers, reentry nonprofits, and any other organization that would aid with youth reentry.

DNCR will develop partnerships with DAC and DPS to engage currently incarcerated and/or previously incarcerated people in the existing Excel High School accredited high school diploma program.

DAC and DPS will enhance existing partnerships and develop new partnerships with community colleges to grow offerings of non-credit credentials training programs. When possible, co-enrollment in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II services and industry-valued non-degree credentials training programs is encouraged.

DAC and DPS will partner with the NC Workforce Credential Advisory Council and myFutureNC to cross-reference which credentials on the NC Workforce Credentials list of training programs are currently being offered in adult and juvenile correctional facilities. Support opportunities to align available programs with the identified credentials on the list.

DAC will minimize the movement of incarcerated people who are currently enrolled in an education program, including registered apprenticeships, and are not requesting a transfer, until they have completed their program unless they can immediately enroll in the same program in the correctional facility to which they will be transferred.

DAC will require prison education providers to develop and implement plans for how incarcerated people can finish uncompleted coursework upon release. Prioritize offering educational programs in which participants will have unconditional admission to educational programs following release from prison.

DAC will create a publicly available, searchable database of all coursework and registered apprenticeships available to incarcerated people offered by both community colleges and four-year colleges and universities in the state.

DAC will establish quality measures and evaluation for all prison education programs, including non-credit credentials training programs.

DAC will develop a plan in consultation with the Prison Education Consortium to effectively leverage state, federal, and private funding sources to provide efficient educational programs that, when possible, result in a diploma, degree, or credential.

DAC, DOC, and the Prison Education Consortium (NCPEC) will develop educational pathways driven by local labor markets that will guide course offerings and transferable pathways to complete a diploma, degree, or credential.

DAC and DPS will enhance existing partnerships and develop new partnerships with community colleges, public and independent colleges and universities to grow education programs focusing on stackable credentials. When possible, co-enrollment in WIOA Title II services is encouraged.

DAC will require education providers utilized by DAC to develop and implement plans for how incarcerated people who do not complete coursework while incarcerated can complete coursework upon release. Prioritize offering educational programs in which participants will have unconditional admission to educational programs following release from prison.

DAC will create a publicly available, searchable database of all coursework and registered apprenticeships available to incarcerated people offered by both community colleges and four-year colleges and universities in the state.

DAC will establish quality measures and evaluation for all prison education programs, including diplomas, certificates, associate degrees, and four-year degrees.

DAC will increase higher education programming for incarcerated people utilizing Pell Grants by partnering with colleges and universities that qualify to be a prison education partner and meet all federal guidelines.

DAC will develop a strategy to effectively utilize NC Prison Education Program (PEP) funds to provide greater access to no-cost degree programs.

DAC will explore opportunities to partner with the NC State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) to identify if currently incarcerated people are eligible for state funded scholarships including but not limited to NextNC and the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students.

DAC will revise the existing Prison Education Consortium (NCPEC) to include representation from all prison higher education, registered apprenticeship, and workforce partners including the North Carolina Community College System Office, participating community colleges, the UNC System Office, participating UNC System institutions, a representative of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, participating independent colleges and universities, DOC, current or formerly incarcerated students, and philanthropic organizations.

DAC will provide resources to community colleges, public universities, and private colleges and universities in North Carolina who are interested in offering degree programs in correctional facilities. Including but not limited to a mentoring program for those seeking approval to be a Pell Grant approved program.

DAC and DOC will implement career services in every DAC-designated reentry facility and increase the number of incarcerated people receiving virtual career services through NCWorks Online before release by continuing communication with Correction Enterprises, utilizing tablets. These career services will be able to assist people of all ages and at all stages of their careers.

DAC and OSHR will ensure that incarcerated people receive support to develop resumes accurately portraying all education and work experiences.

DAC and DOC will improve the Travel/Tourism Call Center currently at the NC Correctional Institution for Women.

DMVA will collaborate with DAC to identify incarcerated veterans with NCWorks Online infrastructure and state and local partner agencies to connect justice-involved veterans to employment and educational opportunities.

DPS will engage with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education to increase opportunities for students to enhance skill development, access to work-based learning opportunities for people of all ages, and complete secondary education.

DPS will engage with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the North Carolina Community College System, the UNC System, and DOC to enhance postsecondary and workforce opportunities for students.

OSHR will collaborate with DAC to create a training for state agencies to reduce bias and discrimination towards justice-involved people in the workplace.

OSHR will support state agencies to increase opportunities to recruit and hire recently incarcerated people, including enhancing partnerships with community-based organizations and Temporary Solutions.

DAC and DOC will engage and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with ApprenticeshipNC, local apprenticeship intermediaries and organizations like Guilford Apprenticeships Partners, community colleges, and employers throughout the state.

OSHR will collaborate with government agencies to provide guidance and resources to agencies who have or plan to have a registered apprenticeship program, including recruitment outreach to justice system involved people.

DPS will establish or expand registered apprenticeship opportunities for youth in the juvenile justice system in partnership with DOC and other agencies.

DEQ will provide support to DAC to identify industry partners offering job training opportunities related to waste reduction. DEQ will serve an advisory role in the development of apprenticeship programs between DAC and the industry if such programs are pursued.

DAC will ensure that there are apprenticeships available for people of all ages, genders, skill levels, and physical capabilities.

DAC and DOC will collaborate to increase awareness and acceptance of work release by private sector businesses.

DAC and DOT will expand work release and employment opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, including expanding existing relationships with nonprofit organizations that employ formerly incarcerated people and expanding specialized on-the-job training opportunities for justice-involved youth and adult populations.

DAC will increase the number of Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Programs by 50%.

DNCR will partner with DAC to provide work release, including seasonal opportunities, for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.

DEQ will partner with DAC to provide work release and registered apprenticeship opportunities to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.

DAC will ensure there are work release opportunities for people of all ages, genders, skill levels, and physical capabilities.

DOC will develop a statewide employer outreach and retention program, in concert with DAC.

DAC will complete a comprehensive review of current DAC Work Release Policy and Procedure and facility Standard Operating Procedures to compile and distribute best practices and enhance efficiency.

DOC will educate employers on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal bonding while establishing strong relationships with all economic development projects.

DAC, DOC, and Correction Enterprises will provide employers with education around second chance hiring, including opportunities such as federal bonding and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) tax credits.

DAC and DOC will connect second chance employer partners with LRCs and other reentry nonprofits.

DAC and DOT will maintain the availability of state identification cards for people preparing for release and expand the eligibility of incarcerated people able to receive an identification card.

DAC and DOT will develop standardized modern resources for obtaining various forms of state identification, capable of placement on offender tablets and into Transition Document Envelope.

DAC and DOT will provide driver’s licenses to incarcerated people prior to release, where possible.

DAC and DOT will provide educational resources to inform incarcerated people on and prepare them for the process to obtain a driver's license upon release.

DAC will incorporate the use of standardized educational resources into applicable Case Management Policy and Procedure.

DAC will verify Social Security numbers for all incarcerated people two years prior to release.

DIT will implement secure internet-based education and reentry tools for people in adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

DAC and DPS will develop and make available to all incarcerated people a Reentry Pathway within Hope University and Orijin’s Managed Learning Platform for Reentry, respectively.

DAC and DIT will develop a centralized reentry resource platform to link resources across various topics, such as health, housing, and employment.

DAC and DIT will develop training for reentrants prior to release on use of the centralized reentry resource platform.

DIT will develop a modern digital literacy training program, to include use of email, individual digital devices, and programmatic/educational resources specific to incarcerated people, inclusive of multiple skill levels. This will include digital literacy assessment tools for participant outcomes.

DIT will implement a secure email system for incarcerated people.

DAC will develop an education guide and resource documents in collaboration with DOR and NC Legal Aid to provide to appropriate incarcerated people who have a civil tax debt related to previous drug charges, in print and digital.

DAC and DOR will develop ongoing informational sessions for incarcerated people with current tax liability related to drug charges.

DOR will provide a resource document in collaboration with DAC for incarcerated people upon reentry including contact information for resources to help manage any outstanding state tax debt, to be updated annually.

DAC will ensure that qualified persons can productively and successfully participate in MAPP both before and after release from incarceration.

DAC will develop and implement for all DAC staff a training on the eligibility for MAPP assignment, as well as referral and program components and processes.

DAC and DMVA will create a statewide program to connect incarcerated military veterans to reentry support services for employment before and upon release.

DAC and DMVA will create a veteran specific reentry peer support program.

DHHS will work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with the goal of securing approval for the NC Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver to allow certain people to receive certain Medicaid services prior to release.

Pending Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval of the 1115 waiver renewal request, DHHS will work to expand the Healthy Opportunities Pilots statewide during the new waiver period. This will allow the state to further test and evaluate the impact of providing select evidence-based, non-medical interventions related to housing instability, transportation insecurity, food insecurity, and interpersonal safety.

DAC and DHHS will establish processes and supports to allow all Medicaid eligible people to apply for Medicaid within thirty days of incarceration.

DAC and DHHS will develop automation to track Medicaid applications within DAC, DPS, and county jails.

DIT will ensure Medicaid applications can be completed online and that applicants are kept informed of their status updates.

DAC and DHHS will collaborate with LME/MCOs and community agencies to provide pre- and post-release behavioral health care coordination for people with medication management requirements or other high need clinical and social factors.

DHHS will collaborate with managed care plans to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in an appropriate health plan to have access to behavioral health, I/DD and TBI benefits upon release.

DHHS will continue provider capacity building efforts to ensure that communities have adequate well-trained mental health and substance use services to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals.

DHHS will collaborate with LME/MCOs and providers to ensure formerly incarcerated individuals without Medicaid receive care coordination and mental health and substance use services.

DHHS will apply for a United States Department of Agriculture waiver to allow people who are incarcerated with an impeding release date to apply for Food and Nutrition Services EBT while incarcerated.

DAC and DHHS will create mechanisms to allow people with pending release dates to pre-screen and apply for Food and Nutrition Services.

DHHS will collaborate with DAC to create and distribute informational material to LRCs and Community Supervision offices on Work First. The resources should include information on eligibility and how a reentrant can apply.

DPS will ensure that every youth’s needs are assessed using evidence-based screening tools appropriate to setting and level of involvement with the juvenile justice system to ensure personalized care at the earliest opportunity.

DPS will partner with DHHS to ensure youth involved in the juvenile justice system and their families receive standard care coordination by the Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health (JJBH) teams pre and post release.

DHHS will partner with LME/MCOs to ensure that all regions of the state have a consistent network of evidenced-based community services supported by the JJBH teams to meet the mental health and substance use needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and their families.

DPS and DHHS will ensure the Youth and Family Voice Training is embedded into decision making through training and engagement with System of Care principles, a comprehensive network of community-based services and supports organized to meet the needs of families.

DAC and DMVA will create a statewide program to connect incarcerated military veterans to reentry support services for healthcare before and upon release.

DAC and DMVA will create a veteran specific reentry peer support program.

DAC will collaborate with CSG Justice Center, the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs (ICCHP), and other agencies with housing programs to assess the statewide housing landscape by: a.) Researching each county’s existing housing resources b.) Assessing current cross-system partnerships and the current needs and gaps c.) Researching and identifying state and local city/county housing plans for affordable housing, including veteran-specific housing that could serve formerly incarcerated veterans.

DAC will collaborate with the ICCHP to advocate for additional housing resources for previously incarcerated people. This will include: a.) Developing a talking points template for outreach to housing partners on providing resources to previously incarcerated people b.) Identifying existing housing advocates and housing organizations c.) Requesting DAC representation on existing housing task forces and workgroups throughout the state

DAC will collaborate with the ICCHP and other agencies with housing programs to explore the implementation and maintenance of an accessible and user-friendly online housing database or the addition of resources specific to previously incarcerated people to an existing database. This database will specify resources tailored to the elderly, disabled, or families. Explore options for partnerships across agencies and opportunities to build on existing work.

DAC will collaborate with the ICCHP to track the number of reentrants in the Homeless Management Information System six and twelve months following release.

DAC will create 5 housing specialists to ensure every person in need of housing assistance prior to release has support in finding safe and stable housing in the community.

DMVA will create 3 transition service coordinators who will assist with housing previously incarcerated veterans.

DAC will establish consistent housing/homelessness risk assessment for use by housing specialists.

DAC will encourage use of the housing first model by: ·       Training PPOs, case managers, housing specialists, and LRC staff on the Housing First model, ·       In collaboration with justice system involved people, integrating the Housing First Model into DAC policies concerning housing, and ·       Partnering with the ICCHP to engage community partners through provider education and training.

DAC will collaborate with the NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), PHAs, and private landlords/housing providers to educate landlords on the reentry population and dispel myths that they make bad tenants.

DAC will collaborate with the NCHFA and private landlords/housing providers to increase housing opportunities for justice-involved people.

DAC and DMVA will develop a partnership with Federal/State/City/County governments to facilitate pathways to permanent housing and services for justice system involved people.

DMVA will provide family benefits education to incarcerated veterans’ families.

DAC will advocate to COCs, the NCHFA, and other housing agencies for the prioritization of those who are justice system involved.

DAC will review the DHHS Strategic Housing Plan and partner with its leaders to identify areas of overlap to reduce duplication of effort, align work, and partner to ensure inclusion of the needs of justice system involved people within the DHHS’s plan’s target population.

DMVA will bolster the relationships with housing providers utilizing HUD-VASH and GPD funding.

DAC will collaborate with DHHS and housing providers to ensure that disabled or elderly reentrants have housing opportunities that fit their needs.

DAC will identify and support 10 new transitional housing programs by 2030.

DAC will work with existing providers to expand programs through DAC grants and other funding.

DAC will engage in broad-based work with affordable housing providers, including PHAs and private owners, to increase overall availability of units and vouchers and increase access to units and vouchers for the justice system involved population.

DAC will establish partnerships with each county’s COC to facilitate housing assistance and services for justice system involved people.

DAC will develop a process to quickly identify, assess, refer, and connect people in crisis to housing and assistance through LRCs.

DAC will partner with housing providers across the state to align programs in providing increased services.

DAC and DMVA will create a statewide program to connect incarcerated military veterans to reentry support services for housing before and upon release.

DAC and DMVA will create a veteran specific reentry peer support program.

DAC and DHHS will develop a mechanism through data sharing to ensure people are aware of their child support obligations upon reentry.

DAC and DHHS will develop new resources to help people successfully begin repayment and utilize all tools available.

DAC and DHHS will collaborate with Local Jails including the Sheriff’s Association to better share data of peoples’ confinement periods.

DAC and DHHS will expand training and education on child support obligations/process for the incarcerated and reentrants.

The Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission will review all Commission policies and procedures to ensure they effectively support successful reentry.

DAC will enhance the collaboration with LRCs to reduce the number of technical violations of supervision. DPS shall enhance collaboration with Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils to consider expansion of appropriate Post Release Supervision (PRS) services to reduce the number of Juvenile revocations.

DAC will enhance the collaboration with Recidivism Reduction Services to reduce the number of technical violations of supervision.

The Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission (PRS will collaborate with Community Supervision to ensure consistent responses to violations to enhance reintegration.

The Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission will publish a publicly available policy manual.

The Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission will publish a publicly available report on parole actions the Commission has taken including the offenses charged, the amount of time served, the sex of the parole candidate, the race of the candidate, and the reasons given for all denials.

DAC and DPS will survey formerly incarcerated people to identify what resources are currently unavailable to them because of lack of transportation options.

DAC will develop transportation resources to address identified gaps for formerly incarcerated people statewide.

DAC and DPS will ensure all reentrants, as well as parents/guardians of juveniles, are aware of transportation resources available or other resources that limit the need of transportation, such as telemedicine.

DAC and DPS will increase transportation support for reentrants through direct funding of transportation resource information, vouchers, and other strategies in coordination with LRCs.

DAC, DPS, and DOT will ensure transportation resources are easily accessible from reentry housing and job sites.

DAC will create an advisory board of previously and currently incarcerated people to advise the Department on terminology, rehabilitative programming, and reentry initiatives.

DPS will continue efforts to amplify youth voices and family engagement in the reentry process in collaboration with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University.

DAC will increase access to Reentry Peer Support for reentrants.

DAC will increase the Peer Support program within the facilities.

DAC will increase the availability and access to re-entry support services.

DAC will create a statewide reentry resource repository network, comprising all relevant resources and platforms. This network will review resources and resource platforms on a periodic basis to ensure a comprehensive list of available and known reentry resources to be maintained by DAC and ensure that the resources are operating in good faith and providing effective resources to people reentering the community.

DAC will increase the number of reentry facilities so that every reentrant can go through one, no matter their custody level.

DAC will provide methods to resolve outstanding warrants, tickets, investigations, obstacles to driver’s license restoration, and other unresolved legal issues prior to release from prison.

All agencies will monitor performance metrics and adjust strategies to ensure all people have equal access to support and services.