Tuesday, October 2, 2012

DOJ Awards Second Chance Act Funds & Utilizes Pay for Success Model

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced $58 million in grant awards to reduce recidivism and build safe communities. As part of the Second Chance Act, this funding will help communities develop and implement comprehensive strategies that address the various challenges faced by ex-offenders as they return to their communities. Providing services and resources, such as substance abuse treatment, mental health services, mentoring and job training, can have a significant impact on the lives of individuals as they return from confinement by reducing the chances that an individual will return to jail. Reductions in recidivism may reduce crime and, ultimately, improve public safety. Of the $58.5 million awarded today, $10.5 million will support evaluation, training and technical assistance for the grantees and the reentry field at large.

Today’s announcement also highlights DOJ’s use of the “Pay for Success” (PFS) model. Two of the awards – an implementation award on Cuyahoga County, Ohio and a planning award in Lowell, Massachusetts – will be utilizing the Pay for Success model, which utilizes external funding to support the initiative and relies on government support only if the initiative demonstrates positive results. The Department of Labor is also utilizing the PFS model. To learn more about the PFS model, click here.

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