Federal Benefits Chart
Program Examples
Click the links below to jump to program examples cited throughout the chart in different focus areas. By highlighting certain examples in this chart, however, the Justice Center is not promoting them as "best practices." They are simply efforts that involve partnerships, resourcefulness, or even longtime practices for other communities to consider.
Multnomah County Joint Access to Benefits Program (Oreg.)
The Joint Access to Benefits (JAB) program initiates the application process for Social Security disability
benefits for people who will be released from prison to the county or who have been released and are homeless.
JAB is a collaborative project among the county Department of Community Justice's Transition Services Unit,
Sheriff's Office, and Department of Human Services; the state Department of Corrections and Department of
Human Services; and the Social Security Administration district office.
Welfare to Work Transition Project (N.Y.)
Using $5 million in unspent FY2001 TANF funds, New York State launched a project to divert individuals from prison
and help them move from welfare to work simultaneously. The funds support programs providing alcohol and drug
treatment, family reunification services, parenting skills training, and employment assistance to postrelease
parents in families with TANF-eligible children.
Case managers for Project RIO, an employment program for individuals who have been released from prison or jail,
seek to co-enroll eligible participants in the state TANF-funded employment and training program called Choices.
See also: Employment.
Incarcerated Veteran Outreach Initiative (N.Y.)
Outreach workers from the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs coordinate with counselors from the
state Department of Correctional Services and representatives of other state and federal agencies to develop
a transition plan for veterans in New York correctional facilities beginning up to nine months prior to their
release. Outreach workers assist in determining prisoner eligibility for veterans benefits and other VA services,
including substance abuse treatment and health care, employment programs, and supportive housing.
Case managers for Project RIO, an employment program for individuals who have been released from prison or jail,
seek to co-enroll eligible participants in the state TANF-funded employment and training program called Choices.
See also: Cash Assistance and Families.
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (Calif.)
As part of its Section 8 program, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) provides rental assistance
for families eligible for the Family Unification Program. HACLA coordinates with the Los Angeles County Department of
Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide a broad range of in-home and community support services, including
parenting classes, access to health and mental health centers, and help in finding suitable family housing.
See also: Housing.
Welfare to Work Transition Project (N.Y.)
Using $5 million in unspent FY2001 TANF funds, New York State launched a project to divert individuals
from prison and help them move from welfare to work simultaneously. The funds support programs providing
alcohol and drug treatment, family reunification services, parenting skills training, and employment assistance
to postrelease parents in families with TANF-eligible children.
Case managers for Project RIO, an employment program for individuals who have been released from prison or jail,
seek to co-enroll eligible participants in the state TANF-funded employment and training program called Choices.
See also: Cash Assistance and Employment.
The Nathaniel Project, operated by the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), provides
intensive case management, including court advocacy, prerelease planning, and postrelease supervision and treatment,
for felony offenders with serious mental illness. The project was initially funded by seed money from the New York
City Council and several private philanthropic foundations. To access sustainable funding, the project made adjustments
to its staffing model and some internal policies so that it could be licensed by the state Office of Mental Health as
a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. This license allows the Nathaniel Project to bill Medicaid for
services, though there are limitations on the variety of programs to which it can refer clients.
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (Calif.)
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) provides rental assistance for families eligible for the Family
Unification Program. In addition, HACLA coordinates with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
to provide a broad range of in-home and community support services, including parenting classes, access to health and mental
health centers, and help in finding suitable family housing.
See also: Families.
The Cornerstone Program (Calif.)
The Cornerstone Program, an emergency shelter and supportive housing program for chronically homeless people with mental
illness, including those leaving prison or jail, was issued 85 Section 8 vouchers to distribute among program participants
in its authorizing legislation (AB 2034). Cornerstone is coordinated by the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health
Center.
Rental Assistance Coupon Plus Program (Maine)
In a collaborative partnership, the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Reentry Network/Maine Department of
Corrections implemented a Rental Assistance Coupon Plus Program (RAC+) that provides up to 24 months of transitional housing
rental assistance at full market value. A limited number of coupons are available statewide to those meeting HUD homeless
criteria. The Maine Reentry Network certifies the homeless status of those being released from the state correctional
system, and participants pay 30 percent of their adjusted income toward rent (or $50 minimum). To help secure housing,
the program may also provide a security and utility deposit no greater than one month’s rent. Housing coordinators
participate in offenders’ prerelease reentry planning meetings as well.