Faith-Based Organizations

"In this webinar, representatives from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Council of State Governments Justice Center will review the FY 2024 Second Chance Act (SCA) Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes application process. Through this opportunity, BJA is seeking applications for funding from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as community-based nonprofit organizations focused on strengthening education and employment outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after a period of incarceration.

Ripening States and Projects
Monthly Updates:
In October, the CSG Justice Center remained focused on general ripening activities related to planning for follow-up engagements that will build on connections made at the National Summit to Advance States' Criminal Justice Priorities in December 2023. The CSG Justice Center staff worked to compile a list of priority states and build out a stakeholder engagement list for future follow-up through the reminder of the year and into 2025.
West Virginia

West Virginia:In October, CSG Justice Center staff planned a site visit to Charleston for November 10-13 to meet with key stakeholders, including the speaker of the house, senate president, and chief counsel to the governor, to discuss and finalize the executive order to form a JRI working group. Emails were sent to these stakeholders to request meetings during the November site visit and we are awaiting a response.

CSG Justice Center Ta staff developed and facilitated 10 sessions for grantees and general conference attendees: SCA conference plenaries and workshops:
1.) A Fair Chance to Work: Policies that Reduce Barriers to Employment for People with Criminal Records (105)
2.) Experiential Learning: Hiring People Who Are Incarcerated for Work-Based Learning and Employment Opportunities
3.) Plenary Session | Federal Commitment to Economic Mobility through Education and Employment Access
4.) Expanding Access to College in Prison for Women

In this reporting period a total 68 of one-on-one direct TA engagements/calls were convened collectively among FY2021, FY2022, and FY2023 cohort grantees, in addition to ad-hoc calls.

CSG Justice Center staff met to discuss the how to address BJA's edits for the ISI Videos.

CSG Justice Center staff met to discuss the ISI briefs and review changes and upcoming activities.

CSG Justice Center staff met to discuss the Dallas and Michigan videos and finalize our feedback to Clum Creative.

CSG Justice Center staff met with Clum Creative to discuss how to approach editing the Dallas video to include additional information.

CSG Justice Center staff met to discuss the ISI project, upcoming activities, and timelines for the project.