2008 Committee Plans

The Reentry Roundtable created the following committees to address critical issue areas necessary for effective reentry planning. Committee members represent a diverse group of community stakeholder organizations.

Employment Committee

Purpose:  To link offenders to sustainable employment through effective training, education and employer development thereby meeting offender, community and employer needs

Goals:

1. Complete Prison Industry Enhancement feasibility report for both the Travis County Jail and TDCJ-Travis State Jail
2. Create strategies that will interlink offenders in the Travis State Jail with pre and post release services and programs that will help ensure rapid employment placement upon release

Key Partners:  A New Entry, Catholic Diocese of Austin, Crime Prevention Institute, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Project RIO, TDCJ Parole Division, TDCJ-Travis State Jail, Travis County District Attorney's Office, Travis County Health and Human Services- Research and Planning, Travis County Probation Department, Travis County Sheriff's Department, Windham ISD (TDCJ), WorkSource

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Evidence Based Practice Committee

Purpose:  To gather information on existing adult and juvenile reentry, incarceration, and alternative-to-incarceration programs in Austin/Travis County; describe the key components and performance/outcome indicators of model programs; and provide recommendations regarding our strengths and gaps

Goals:

1. Conduct community survey and assessment of reentry programs and services
2. Conduct research on key components and performance outcome indicators of model programs
3. Analyze data from survey assessment and research and provide recommendations regarding strengths and gaps

Key Partners:  Travis County Criminal Justice Planning, Travis County District Attorney's Office, Travis County Juvenile Probation Department, University of Texas, United Way Capital Area

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Policy and Law Committee

Purpose:  To develop and recommend legislative and policy changes or enhancements that will eliminate barriers to successful offender reentry

Goals:

1. Create legislative agenda for 2007 Texas Legislature
2. Hold forums on key legislative issues to build support for agenda

Key Partners:  American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Catholic Diocese of Austin, TDCJ Parole Division, Texas Inmate Families Association, Travis County Probation Department, Travis County Criminal Justice Planning, Travis County Legislative Delegation

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Support Systems Committee

Purpose:  To identify, support and develop systems for successful offender reentry into families and communities in a manner that respects and protects victims

Goals:

1. Develop focus group format and conduct focus groups with offenders and other stakeholders to inform our work
2. Partner with 2-1-1 to develop user-friendly format for people with criminal histories
3. Conduct community outreach to promote the use of 2-1-1 by people with criminal histories and their families

Key Partners:  Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, TDCJ Parole Division, TDCJ-Travis State Jail, Texas Council on Family Violence, Texas Inmates Families Association, Travis County Health and Human Services, Travis County Probation Department, Travis County Sheriff's Department, United Way Capital Area (2-1-1)

Goals and Action Plan – June 21, 2006

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Transition Preparation Committee

Purpose:  To holistically prepare the offender and the community for successful reentry by assessing needs and providing necessary resources

Goals:

1. Create and implement system for the distribution of a comprehensive reentry resource packet for offenders leaving TDCJ-Travis State Jail, Travis County Jail, and Woodman State Jail
2. Inventory and assess education, training, and transition planning services at the TDCJ-Travis State Jail and develop and propose enhancements

Key Partners:  Crime Prevention Institute, TDCJ Parole Division, TDCJ Rehabilitation and Reentry Programs Division, TDCJ-Travis State Jail, Travis County Criminal Justice Planning, Travis County District Attorney's Office, Travis County Health and Human Services, Travis County Sheriff's Department

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