Being Empowered and Safe Together

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. and the Department of Public Safety

Being Empowered and Safe Together (BEST), administered by Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. in collaboration with the State of Hawaii Department of Public Safety (DPS), is designed to serve individuals who are preparing to return to the community from Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC).

Description

By providing comprehensive transitional assistance to inmates and ex-inmates, BEST seeks to reduce the recidivism rate and increase public safety. The program serves over 200 male and female offenders returning to Maui communities who have been convicted of serious and violent offenses and incarcerated for over a year.

Each BEST client is referred by a BEST review committee or staff at the MCCC. Intake assessments assist BEST administrators and case managers to determine the level of services needed for each client. An Individual Service Plan (ISP) is developed through the collaborative effort of the BEST case managers and the social workers and case managers within DPS. DPS and BEST case managers meet weekly to be apprised of the client’s needs and to achieve a seamless transition from prison to the community.

A Housing Coordinator works with clients to locate affordable rentals, and where appropriate BEST will provide financial assistant toward the first month’s rent. Other programs include employment training, on-the-job training, mentoring, childcare and transportation assistance, cognitive restructuring, substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals, and family support and reunification services.

BEST is a collaborative effort coordinated by Maui Economic Opportunity and DPS, and includes representatives from local businesses, the Judiciary, the Maui Police Department, IMPACT Drug Treatment Program, the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, the Department of Health, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Workforce Development of the Department of Labor, Maui Community College, and others. The BEST program is funded by a SVORI grant.