Career Resources Inc

AWARD PURPOSE PROVIDE 400 PARTICIPANTS WITH PRE-RELEASE SERVICES THAT INCLUDE JOB PREPARATION, DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS (IDPS) INCLUDING IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, CAREER EXPLORATION AND PLANNING, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LINKING RETURNING CITIZENS TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIRED TO HELP THEM TRANSITION BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. ACTIVITIES PERFORMED IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, CAREER EXPLORATION AND PLANNING, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LINKING RETURNING CITIZENS TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIRED TO HELP THEM TRANSITION BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. DELIVERABLES POST RELEASE SERVICES WILL INCLUDE OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED VIA THE STATEWIDE NETWORK OF AMERICAN JOB CENTERS, AND CONTINUED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. INTENDED BENEFICIARY MEN AND WOMEN, AGES 18 OR OLDER, WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED IN CT'S ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HAVE A RELEASE DATE SCHEDULED BETWEEN 20 TO 270 DAYS OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S ENROLLMENT IN THE PROGRAM. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES OUR SUB-RECIPIENTS INCLUDE COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION (CPA) AND CAPITAL WORKFORCE PARTNERS.

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2024?25 FGP PROGRAM. YOUR 2024?25 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10%. THIS AWARD IS APPROVED TO ADD $2,500 IN ONE-TIME ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR TRAVEL RELATED TO TRAINING IN FY 24.

CAREER RESOURCES, INC. (CRI) PROPOSES TO CONTINUE TO ADMINISTER THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT, WITH FUNDING FROM AMERICORPS SENIORS. AN ESTIMATED 70 FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL SERVE. ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES WILL FOCUS ON EDUCATION. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS K-3RD GRADE LITERACY TUTORING AND MENTORING. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, THE ANTICIPATED EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME IS THAT 300 CHILDREN WILL DEMONSTRATE GAINS IN SCHOOL READINESS, SOCIAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATE IMPROVEMENT IN LITERACY SKILLS. FOR THIS PROJECT, EACH VOLUNTEER WILL DEDICATE UP TO 1044 HOURS OF SERVICE IN CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA. THE HOURS SERVED WILL TAKE PLACE DURING NORMAL CLASSROOM HOURS, IF ALLOWED, DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND DURING SUMMER SCHOOL READING PROGRAMS. IN ORDER TO SERVE CHILDREN WHO MAY BE DISTANCE LEARNING OR VOLUNTEERS WHO MAY BE UNABLE TO SERVE IN-PERSON, VIRTUAL SERVICE SESSIONS AND REMOTE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE SERVICE AREA WILL INCLUDE THE TOWNS OF BRIDGEPORT, STRATFORD, AND FAIRFIELD. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $447,560 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $45,219 IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IDENTIFIED BY CRI.

CAREER RESOURCES, INC. (CRI) PROPOSES TO LAUNCH THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT, WITH FUNDING FROM THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. AN ESTIMATED 67 FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL SERVE. ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES WILL FOCUS ON EDUCATION. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS K-3RD GRADE LITERACY TUTORING. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, THE ANTICIPATED EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME IS THAT 300 CHILDREN WILL DEMONSTRATE GAINS IN SCHOOL READINESS, SOCIAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATE IMPROVEMENT IN LITERACY SKILLS. FOR THIS PROJECT, 67 VOLUNTEERS WILL DEDICATE 3132 HOURS OF SERVICE IN CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA. THE HOURS SERVED WILL TAKE PLACE DURING NORMAL CLASSROOM HOURS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND DURING SUMMER SCHOOL READING PROGRAMS. THE SERVICE AREA WILL INCLUDE THE TOWNS OF BRIDGEPORT, STRATFORD, AND FAIRFIELD. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $397,092 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $56,500 IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IDENTIFIED BY CRI.

CAREER RESOURCES, INC. (CRI) IS PROPOSING TO IMPLEMENT THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE, A COMPREHENSIVE PRE- AND POST-RELEASE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HOUSING SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR RETURNING CITIZENS IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM. WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY WELCOME CENTER, AND OTHER STRATEGIC PARTNERS INCLUDING OPENING DOORS FAIRFIELD COUNTY, RECOVERY NETWORK OF PROGRAMS, AND THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT MAYOR’S INITIATIVE FOR REENTRY AFFAIRS (MIRA), THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE WILL TARGET MEN AND WOMEN, AGES 18 OR OLDER, WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED IN CONNECTICUT’S ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ARE PLANNING REENTRY INTO THE BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY, AND ARE DISCHARGING WITH NO VIABLE HOUSING OPTION, CREATING A HIGH RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE SERVICE TO ALL RETURNING CITIZENS AND WILL GIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION TO INDIVIDUALS BEING RELEASED END OF SENTENCE WITH NO COMMUNITY SUPERVISION OR BUILT-IN SUPPORT SYSTEM. CRI PLANS TO SERVE 30 RETURNING CITIZENS EACH YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF 90 INDIVIDUALS OVER THE 36-MONTH PROGRAM DELIVERY PERIOD.  THE TOTAL COST OF THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE IS $747,162.     STABLE HOUSING IS OFTEN A CRITICAL NEED OF RETURNING CITIZENS, WITH 20% OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO COMMUNITIES WITHOUT A VIABLE HOUSING OPTION AND FACING HOMELESSNESS. THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THIS NEED BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFYING PARTICIPANTS IN THE FORM OF FIRST AND LAST MONTH’S RENT (NOT TO EXCEED $3000). CRI WILL INTEGRATE THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE INTO THE ARRAY OF SERVICES IT CURRENTLY OFFERS AT THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY WELCOME CENTER. PRE-RELEASE SERVICES WILL BE COORDINATED WITH CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, INCLUDING SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 60 DAYS PRIOR TO RELEASE. POST-RELEASE SERVICES WILL BE COORDINATED THROUGH THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY WELCOME CENTER AND WILL INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLAN, JOB READINESS TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES, LITERACY AND DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING, AND REFERRALS TO OTHER WRAPAROUND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES. CRI WILL PARTNER DIRECTLY WITH OPENING DOORS FAIRFIELD COUNTY TO HELP SECURE SUITABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE BRIDGEPORT REENTRY HOUSING INITIATIVE.     CRI IS SEEKING PRIORITY CONSIDERATION 1(A) WHICH IS ADDRESSED ON PAGES 13-14 OF CRI’S NARRATIVE. CRI IS ALSO PROVIDING FOR INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND EVALUATION WHICH IS ADDRESSED ON PAGES 6-7.

S811 CAP ADV UNITS

PURPOSE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING AWARDS ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 PUBLIC LAW 117-328 AND THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR DIVISION L OF THAT ACT. PROJECTS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ARE LISTED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) THAT ACCOMPANIES A SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR’S APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. THE JES LISTS PROJECT, RECIPIENT, STATE, AMOUNT AND CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING AWARD PROJECTS INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES. HUD WILL NOT KNOW THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE RECIPIENT SUBMITS THE REQUIRED PROJECT NARRATIVE AND CONFIRMS ALIGNMENT WITH THE LANGUAGE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. TO FIND THE DETAILS OF THE GRANT AWARD AS WRITTEN WITHIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK AND PATH SELECTIONS TO GET TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/EDI-GRANTS, SELECT THE FISCAL YEAR OF INTEREST, SCROLL DOWN TO PROGRAM LAWS AND REGULATIONS, UNDER FISCAL YEAR 20XX CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20XX: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT).; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SUBSEQUENT APPROVED PROJECT NARRATIVE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS OR SERVED BY THE ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE JES RECIPIENT OR PROJECT DESCRIPTION SECTIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

PRISONER-RE-ENTRY

THIS PROJECT WILL CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC AND FISCAL IMPACT STUDY FOR A COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE CENTER SUPPORTING RETURNING CITIZENS AND OTHER SYSTEM-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH COORDINATED, TIMELY ACCESS TO JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, IN ONE CENTRALIZED LOCATION IN BRIDGEPORT, CT.