Informational Measure

Cuyahoga County Reentry Project Updates

- Every resident is on a path to upward income mobility and career advancement
Strategic Priorities
  • Not Defined
    6.5 Remove specific barriers to employment for qualified candidates
    - Every resident is on a path to upward income mobility and career advancement
About this measure

This measure provides updates on programs and projects being completed by the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry. 

The Office of Reentry provides updates on a quarterly basis. 
Why is this important?

Many policies designed to assist the reentry population fail to address barriers and the stigma caused by having a criminal record. Obtaining employment, making a decent wage, and having access to meaningful job skills training are critical components needed to achieve a successful reentry from incarceration. This targeted population faces many challenging situations, and many are very limited in areas such as education, work experience, and life skills that greatly impact their employability and earnings capacity. Research indicates that having access to genuine employment opportunities and possessing useful skills is key to decreasing recidivism and reducing crime.
Performance Target

This page is a milestone measure, meaning updates take the form of qualitative, project-based narratives to provide additional details related to core County programs and services. Measure performance is impacted by a number of factors, including funding levels, strategic priorities, community need, and policy decisions made at the federal, state, and local level. Performance targets are not set for milestone measures, but timely reporting of updates is important.
How are we making an impact?

The Office of Reentry provides financial support for innovative employment programs and services that reduce the barriers to employment for those formerly incarcerated or directly impacted by mass incarceration. Programs and services that address barriers to employment financially supported by the Office of Reentry are currently inclusive of the following: Towards Employment Apprenticeship programs, and the Second Chance Reentry Legal Clinic in partnership with Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Both the legal clinic and the apprenticeship services are new projects funded by a federal grant received by the Office of Reentry. 

Both the apprenticeship program and the legal clinic have been impacted by COVID 19 as well. Both programs are required to receive referrals directly from the Ohio Department and Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC). Due to the serious health concerns of those incarcerated inside of ODRC the prison system stop allowing outside visitors and partner organizations access to the prison system. The Office of Reentry has worked with the ODRC through a grant program and halfway houses around the city to get referrals to these programs. The referrals are coming in slowly, but, surely. As a result of the Bureau of Justice Assistance grant, the Oriana House acts as a bridge to the OOR programs and the ODRC. The Office of Reentry is consistently working with ODRC to seek remedies to issues and offering the usage of technology platforms for suspended services.

The Chopping for Change Program, which ended December 31, 2020, provided culinary training to incarcerated women. At the beginning of the year 19 women, all inmates of the Northeast Pre-Release Center, graduated from the Chopping for Change program in March.  In September 2020, there were 2 additional graduates, 12 participants have made the target for job retention, and 4 new employment opportunities for the individuals who were able to participate in the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Chopping for Change program has been a successful program for the Office of Reentry. Being able to partner with organizations that work with currently incarcerated individuals until their release speaks directly to the purpose of the office.