RE-ENTRY SERVICES PROGRAM WORK GROUP

The Re-entry Services Program provides intensive/comprehensive case management services for juvenile offenders transitioning to their home communities from out of home placement facilities.

History

The program began in June of 2003 with a grant from the MN Department of Public Safety, with match funds provided by the Clay County Joint Powers Collaborative.

Individuals representing the Clay County Joint Powers Collaborative; Clay County Court Services/Department of Corrections; Clay County Detention; Clay County Restorative Justice program; Clay County Truancy Diversion Program; Rural MN CEP; Clay County Wraparound Coordinator; Law Enforcement; Migrant Health; Clay County Social Services and other community partners came together to write the grant proposal, develop the program and hire the Transitional Coordinators. Prior to this program, the only transitional services provided for correctional youth were for youth that had been in the local detention facility’s long term treatment program. There were no services for youth returning home from other facilities.

Until May 9, 2005, the two Transitional Coordinators were staff of the Collaborative. Due to changes in the structure of the Collaborative, staff is now employed by Clay County Court Services.

Goals

The goal of the Re-entry Services Program is to improve public safety by preparing juvenile offenders for successful reentry to communities. The goal is achieved by assisting youthful offenders in becoming productive, responsible, and law-abiding citizens through strategic and comprehensive reentry plans that address the following Reentry Components;

1. obtaining and retaining long term employment, if appropriate;
2. maintaining a stable residence by providing intensive services to high risk juvenile offenders leaving out of home placements, with an emphasis on seamless and comprehensive treatment, intensive case management and the involvement of local communities;
3. successfully addressing substance abuse issues;
4. successfully addressing physical health and mental health issues;
5. establishing a meaningful and supportive role in the community.

Program Evaluation

See links below to quarterly reports, final four-year report and published articles for more on North Dakota State University's evaluation of the program.

Funding

The Reentry Services project is funded by the Office of Justice Programs, MN Department of Public Safety through December 31, 2011 with match funds from the Collaborative through June 30, 2012.

Program Partners

The following community and Collaborative partners are represented on the program’s advisory group:

• Barnesville Police Department
• Clay County Attorney’s office
• Clay County Commissioners
• Clay County Sheriff’s Department
• Clay County Social Services
• Clay County Victim Advocates Program
• Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton ISD #2164
• Dilworth Police Department
• Glyndon Police Department
• Hawley ISD #150
• Migrant Health Services
• Moorhead ISD #152
• Moorhead Police Department
• Red River Area Learning Center
• Rural MN CEP
• West Central Regional Juvenile Center
• Lakeland Mental Health
• Youth Educational Services
• Truancy Intervention Program

2010/11 Reentry Services Project/Restorative Justice Advisory Group members:  As of fall 2010, this group will serve in place of the work group.

Links

• Work Group minutes and program reports (quarterly & annual)
• Final four-year report
• Final four-year report - Executive Summary
• Research articles on the program: 
  • "The Impact of Reentry Services on Juvenile Offenders' Recidivism" by Jeff Bouffard and Kathleen Bergseth in Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 6:3 (July 2008).
  • "Minnesota County Mentors Juveniles and Provides Reentry Services" by Jeffrey Bouffard, Kathleen Bergseth, and Shelly Ford in Corrections Today, December 2009.