15PBJA22GG01769SCAX

Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington County Inc. (OARA) is a community nonprofit which envisions a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil and human rights. For over 48 years, OARA’s services have helped thousands of justice-involved individuals of all genders, and their families, navigate a safe reentry or avoid incarceration. OARA serves Arlington County and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia.

"Project Second and Fair Chances for Individuals and Families" will help 40 people who identify as male incarcerated in the Community Readiness Unit (CRU) at Arlington County Detention Facility navigate a successful reentry by providing them up to 9 months pre-release and up to 18 months post-release transition services. Program participants will have been assessed by corrections as medium to high risk of reengaging with the criminal legal system. Example offenses may include probation violations, drug-related possession and distribution, assault, crimes related to economic need, and robbery. CRU residents spend about 80 percent of their waking hours receiving workshops and transition planning support, and are within 3 to 9 months of release.

OARA's program involves extensive cooperation and coordination with local and state correctional partners. Pre-release services include risk assessments, one-on-one reentry coaching and planning, weekly workshops, and cognitive-behavioral therapies and psychotherapy with OARA staff and licensed clinicians. Workshop topics include co-parenting, employment retention, conflict resolution, and healthy relationships among others. Post-release services include intensive case management tailored to each individual's needs and criminogenic risk factors, psychotherapy, facilitated support groups, family support and reunification, direct services/wrap around supports, and referrals for educational and vocational training to enhance participants’ employment opportunities.

Based on historical, self-reported data 70 percent of OARA's reentry participants are Black people (despite representing 4-12 percent of the service area population), 80 percent live in poverty, and 40 percent are high school graduates and/or experience homelessness after release from the detention facility. OARA assists participants and their families with basic needs, technology and clothing for work and daily living, housing, securing IDs/birth certificates, and transportation to overcome these challenges. Local community and safety-net organizations deliver health, substance abuse, social, and other direct services.

OARA is an evidence-based, culturally specific organization. Priority 1(A) is discussed on page #14 and Priority 1(B) is on page #16.

Offender Aid And Restoration Of Arlington County

THIS SECOND CHANCE ACT PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIAN TRIBES TO PARTNER WITH CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL TRANSITIONAL SERVICES AS ADULTS RETURN FROM INCARCERATION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPANSION OF REENTRY PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE MENTORING, COORDINATED SUPERVISION AND HEALTH SERVICES, FAMILY SERVICES, AND/OR TRAIN STAFF ON REENTRY AND VICTIMS' ISSUES. PARTNERSHIPS WITH PAROLE, PROBATION, AND CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES ARE CRITICAL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AT MEDIUM TO HIGH RISK TO REOFFEND BY SCREENING, ASSESSING, AND IDENTIFYING THEM FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION PRERELEASE AND ENSURING INDIVIDUALIZED CASE PLANS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMMING. ARE IN PLACE TO SUPPORT THEM. DURING POST-RELEASE, FUNDED PROGRAMS PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT CONNECT ADULTS TO EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING TO ENSURE THEIR TRANSITION OUT OF INCARCERATION IS SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL.

16.812 - Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) [DOJ - OJP]

Arlington, Virginia 22201 United States

Single Zip Code

BJA FY 22 Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program (O-BJA-2022-171031)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/25 to 09/30/26 and the total obligations have decreased 50% from $1,500,000 to $750,000.