NORC Reports and Publications

Purpose(s):

The purposes for forming the Northeast Ohio Reentry Coalition are: (1) to create a pilot program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction designed as a comprehensive coalition of "grass-roots" and community organizations, social service and faith-based groups collaborating to address the needs of 6000+ adults transitioning back into Northeast Ohio, and (2) a funding requirement for the ODRC to spread reentry services and funding opportunities as widely as possible throughout Northeast Ohio communities.

Mission- The mission of the Northeast Ohio Reentry Coalition is to provide a comprehensive network of services, offer and facilitate the development of aftercare programs and create a climate of support and accountability for formerly incarcerated individuals that will increase public safety and strengthen healthy communities.

Goals- The primary goal is to identify and eliminate barriers to the formerly incarcerated individual's successful re-integration into the community.

NORC will:
›Provide the client with a Comprehensive Needs Assessment to help determine what areas the client requires resource assistance to cover their basic needs such as Housing, Food and Clothing, as well as, Health and Dental Care needs, etc.

›Assist the client with and/or refer them to seminars pertaining to Employment Readiness Skills, Resume Writing Assistance, Interviewing Skills, On-the-Job Developmental Skills, Job Training and /or Job Referrals.

›Counsel the client on available educational options in regard to receiving a High School Diploma, a GED Certificate, or Continuing Education at the College or Technical School level.

›Help the client with acquiring Basic Identification requirements i.e. : State ID, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Driver's License, Voter Registration, Credit Report, Prison Records, etc.

›Direct the client to learn about the availability of post-release Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services.

›Assist the client in applying for Government Benefits including: OWF (Welfare), Social Security (SSI or SSD, whichever is applicable), Veteran's Benefits, HEAP, Child Care, etc.

›Avail a Legal Clinic that will provide advisory services for issues such as: Child Support and Custody Obligations, Benefits Advocacy, Wills and Trusts, Landlord-Tenant Issues, Immigration, etc.

›Identify Reentry Support Groups, Faith-Based and other Community Volunteers that will offer personal assistance to the recently released individual inclusive of Mentoring, Moral Support, Transportation Assistance, etc.

›Coach clients with regard to financial issues including: money management, budgeting, and debt counseling.

The Northeast Ohio Reentry Coalition with cooperation from its Community Partners will represent a shift from a "hard on crime" concept to one that is "Smart on Reentry".

1. What is the Northeast Ohio Reentry Coalition (NORC)?
NORC is a grassroots-based partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC) designed to find or identify adequate reentry services and to "fill reentry service gaps" for 6,000+ persons being released from 9 targeted prisons in Northeast Ohio. NORC will serve both rural communities and urban communities; which includes the 3000 of the 6000+ persons coming back to the Cleveland neighborhoods of Hough, Glenville and Collinwood.

2. What is the Mission of the NORC?
The mission of the NORC is to develop a comprehensive network of reentry and related services, which utilizes existing community resources, set standards, and allows for ongoing, collaboration with grassroots organizations, faith community, local foundations, federal, state, and community agencies along with other stakeholders to reduce the recidivism rate of ex offenders transitioning from Ohio prisons, especially the 9 Ohio prisons in the Greater Cuyahoga County Area.

3. What is the relationship of NORC with the Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC)?
NORC is a pilot partnership with ODRC.

4. What makes NORC different from other reentry programs?

NORC is a regional effort to serve 6000+ persons from different communities in Northeast Ohio, utilizing existing service providers and is flexible enough to create other services, as needed.

5. How does the coalition work with other agencies that provide reentry services?
The Coalition is designed to serve as a reentry clearing house and be a community resource partner that can offer services and support to strengthen reentry agencies and other community resources that serve ex offenders and their families.

NORC's Training Academy, in cooperation with the State Training Academy and other academic institutions, offers standards based stafff and professional development reentry training opportunities.

6. Do the Coalition services include services for veterans and disabled ex- offenders?
Yes. Through a referral network, the Coalition works with specific community partners to obtain services for veterans, disabled ex-offenders, including those with chronic health problems, and those with drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

7. Does NORC provide any pre-release services to prepare an ex-offender transitioning back to the community?
Yes. The NORC provides pre-release services that consist of classroom learning, job readiness, motivation, personal development, entrepreneurialship, case management and related services.

8. What are some of the main services that ex offenders can receive help with?
NORC works with local, state, and federal agencies and other community resources to acquire services such as housing, employment opportunities, family services, case management, social security application information, education assistance, health, Internships, food and clothing and related services for ex-offenders enrolled in the project. NORC is an Ohio Benefits Bank site.

9. How does a person get enrolled in the NORC program?
An application must be completed; An interview must be received by a designated NORC staff member or certified volunteer; The orientation must be attended.

10. What happens if a person drops out of the program?
The person will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.

11. Are there any services for families of ex offenders?

Yes. NORC has a Family Service Unit which works directly with the families of ex-offenders .

12. Does NORC help anyone that wants to be self-employed start his or her own business?
Yes. NORC partnering with entrepreneur training and related agencies, provides training at prison sites and at various locations in the community and includes courses on how to start and run a business, how to write a business and marketing plan, money flow management, business financing, emergency planning, network marketing and related areas.

13. How much does it cost to participate in NORC activities?

There is no charge for NORC reentry services. It is anticipated that NORC's support will come from ODRC, foundations, and other funding sources. Many of NORC's community partners offer financial and related supportive services for persons seeking employment, training and related services; which can be obtained by referral methods.

14. What if you were released from prison before NORC started? Can a person still participate in the program?

Yes. Anyone released from one of the 9 prison in the NORC service area can participate in the program.

15. Does NORC participate in community events?
Yes. NORC participates in comminty events that include job fairs, training, seminars, workshops and other reentry-related activities.

16. How long can a person receive services from NORC?

NORC services are available to ex-offenders in this pilot program for up to a year. However, NORC will perform ongoing evaluations of services and develop a directory to identify reentry services for distribution.