RECONNECTIONS PROGRAM
CATHY
WATERS Director/Case Manager
Reconnections is a prisoner re-entry
initiative developed through a partnership between Urban League of Union
County, United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) and the County of Union
County Department of Human Services (DHS). Other affiliates include, New Jersey
Department of Parole, Union County Vicinage of Probation, Federal Probation, N.J.
Department of Corrections, and Union County Division of Social Services,
Neighborhood Healthcare Services and Legal Services of New Jersey, Union County
Re-entry Task Force, Community and Faith Based Organizations. The Program is
funded by the Union County Department of Human Services and is housed in Union
County’s One Stop Centers which are located in Elizabeth and Plainfield.
Reconnections assists formerly
incarcerated individuals gain access to services and resources so that they may
develop meaningful, productive skills that they can use to make their lives
better. The program also provides
essential supportive services to address an individual’s immediate needs to
ensure his or her successful re-integration to the community. The primary goal is to lead the individual to
self-sufficiency and to reduce the recidivism rate in Union County. During 2017, (170) clients were enrolled in
Reconnections and (888) referrals were generated for supportive services. Only
3% of the clients returned to jail or prison which is commendable and proof
positive that the program has had an impact on the self-sufficiency of the
reentry population and leading to a safer Union County Community.
The Reconnections program services
individuals within 180 days of their release from prison or Jail and beyond.
Upon entering the Reconnections program each client is assessed by an
experienced case manager in the areas of social services, education and
employment. The Case Manager works with
each Reconnections client to develop a clearly defined goal action plan
tailored to meet their specific needs. The client is empowered to set goals that they desire to meet and the
Case Manager guides the client to the necessary resources needed to achieve
those goals. The Case Manager
coordinates with community agencies who are members of the Union County
Community Resource Network, coordinated by the United Way of Greater Union
County. The program utilizes a
supportive team approach to meet the client’s needs. As needed the individual is provided career
planning assistance, referrals out to Union County Division of Social Services,
New Jersey Department of Labor and Community Resources, Mental Health
Counseling and Substance Abuse Counseling. The individuals attend Employment Readiness, Life Skills and Legal
Workshops at the Reconnections One Stop Center site or at the Urban League of
Union County.
As needed the clients are referred to
the Union County Division of Social Services and where they meet with a Case
Manager to determine their eligibility for G.A., TANF, Medical Assistance, Food
Stamps or Transportation benefits.
Individuals interested in advancing
their education are referred to the appropriate academic resource and receive
guidance in enrolling in basic skills, G.E.D., Vocational Training Classes,
Certificate Programs or Higher Education. Clients seeking employment will be
referred to the Department of Labor staff located at the Plainfield and
Elizabeth One Stop Center. The client
will receive resume writing and job placement assistance. In 2017 the Urban League of Union County
continued to collaborate with the Department of Labor and hosted Job Fairs
geared at offering job opportunities for the Reconnections clients. The Job Fairs are held at the One Stop
Centers. Employers are recruited to attend to provide a second chance to
returning citizens. The Urban League of Union County also
oversees the Reconnections Alumni Association. The Alumni share their success stories and encourage new Reconnections
clients to have patience and perseverance as they transition back into the
Union County community.
The Urban League of Union County
Reconnections program incorporates a mentoring component and partners with
Fountain Baptist Church in Summit and First Baptist Church in Hillside. Mentoring support is provided in group
sessions and individually.
The Reconnections Program Manager
Chairs the Union County Re-Entry Task Force. The Task Force, organized in 2006,
focused on the needs of the parole population in the areas of employment, drug
and alcohol addiction, faith based initiatives, family restoration and mental
health treatment. In subsequent years the
Re-Entry Task Force expanded its focus to include the county jail population –
Union County Probationers and the United Way of Greater Union County became the
sponsoring organization. In October 2011 the responsibility of the Task Force
transitioned to the Urban League of Union County.
The
Task Force members include staff from N.J. State Parole Board, Union County
Probation, N.J. Department of Labor, Union County One Stop Centers, Federal
Probation, Union County Drug Court, Union County Department of Human Services,
Union County College, housing agencies, healthcare providers, various community
agencies, faith based agencies, attorneys, businesses and the ex-offender
population. The committee members work
diligently to develop resources, support systems and promote solutions to
successfully transition the re-entry population back into the Union County
community.
PROGRAM STAFF
Joann
Ellis – Case Manager Assistant
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