Given the Chance (GTC)

This reentry project includes three major elements. First, GTC and ROOTS, a community-based re-entry mentoring program, will provide pre- and post-release mentorship individually and in small group settings. Second, GTC will operate as a resource and referral clearinghouse for other agencies working in reentry, providing information, referral and follow-up on an array of services, including primary care, substance abuse and mental health treatment, family support services, employment training, etc. Third, GTC will provide transitional planning prior to release and follow-up during reintegration.

Quick Facts:

Focus of initiative/program:
  • Children and Families
  • Education
  • Employment/Job Training
  • Housing
  • Mental Health
  • Mentoring
  • Physical Health
  • Substance Abuse
  • Task Force / Coalitions
    • Inititative/program name:
    Given the Chance - Reentry
    Year Established:
    2009
    Lead agency/organization name:
    AIDS Council of Northeastern New York
    Population served by initiative/program:
  • Returning from local jails
  • Returning from prison
  • Under community corrections supervision (parole or probation)
  • Adults
  • Men
  • Women
  • People convicted of a violent offense
  • People convicted of a non-violent offense
  • Sex offenders

    • Given the Chance (GTC)

    Contact:

    Nancy Fisher
    Director of Prevention Services
    AIDS Council of Northeastern New York
    Phone: 518-434-4686
    927 Broadway
    Albany, New York 12207
    nfisher@aidscouncil.org

    www.aidscouncil.org

    Given the Chance (GTC)

    Initiatives and Programs

    Focus of initiative/program:
  • Children and Families
  • Education
  • Employment/Job Training
  • Housing
  • Mental Health
  • Mentoring
  • Physical Health
  • Substance Abuse
  • Task Force / Coalitions
    • Inititative/program name:
    Given the Chance - Reentry
    Lead agency/organization name:
    AIDS Council of Northeastern New York

    Funding

    Funding sources for initiative/program:
    Federal Funding

    Partners in the reentry initiative/program

    Informal Agreement Formal Agreement
    (e.g., a written contract or an MOU) with this partner.
    Community- and faith-based services providers:
    X
    Education and training providers (e.g., local public school officials, vocational instructors):
    X
    Health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment providers:
    X
    Housing officials:
    X
    Institutional corrections (e.g., DOC, jail, prison):
    X
    Law enforcement agencies (e.g., police, sheriff's office):
    X
    Members of the community (e.g., people who have been incarcerated, their families or neighbors):
    X
    Transportation providers:
    X
    Victim advocates:
    X
    Work force development and employment agencies (e.g. business associations, unions):
    X

    Participants

    Population served by initiative/program:
  • Returning from local jails
  • Returning from prison
  • Under community corrections supervision (parole or probation)
  • Adults
  • Men
  • Women
  • People convicted of a violent offense
  • People convicted of a non-violent offense
  • Sex offenders
    • Total number of people who have participated in initiative/program to date:
    0
    Total number of people currently participating in initiative/program:
    0
    Total number of people who can be served at one time:
    100
    If your initiative/program serves people under community corrections supervision, how does your organization work in partnership or work in collaboration with participants’ probation or parole officers?
    The AIDS Council convened an advisory board comprised of representatives from other community-based organizations, the New York State Department of Corrections, the Albany County District Attorney's office, local reentry task forces, and the New York State Division of Parole. When the program is fully functioning, AIDS Council Community Reentry Specialists will be in contact with parole officers to ensure services are not duplicated and that violations are prevented. In addition, we will obtain releases of information from parolees in order to case conference and share information with their probation/parole officers.

    Data Collection

    Does your organization collect demographic data on participants?
    Yes
    If "yes", what kind of data? And what results has this data yielded?
    Race/ethnicity, age, gender, income level, family information, HIV status, mental health status, substance use behaviors. The project is still in the planning phase, so there is no program data to date.
    Does your organization collect data about the process of your initiative/program?
    Yes No data to date.
    Does your organization measure and/or track the outcome of participation?
    Yes No data to date.

    Activities

    What, if any, activities does your initiative/program include for people while they are incarcerated and how do these activities differ from those offered to the general population?
    We offer family services, mentoring, and transitional planning, all pre-release. Activities are not offered to the general population.
    What activities does your organization engage in post-release and how do these activities differ from those offered to the general population?
    After release, we offer family services, referral services, transitional planning, and mentorship. Activities are not offered to the general population.
    How are people placed into your program?
    Referral
    Explore the Justice Center’s Websites
    CSG Justice Center Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Justice Reinvestment National Reentry Resource Center Reentry Policy Council