5 Critical Features Of An Incarceration Transitional Housing Program
Making the move from prison to normal life is rarely simple. A reentry transitional housing program can help you deal with numerous challenges, though. If you're looking for an incarceration transitional housing program, pay attention to these five key features.
Housing Type
Generally, incarceration transitional housing offers some form of group living to start. The setup could be a group home or some type of housing complex. Typically, these buildings include common areas so people who are making the transition from prison to regular living can interact with others. It also allows the program to maximize the available resources by allowing participants to share.
Case Management
A reentry transitional housing center should also assign each person a case manager. This is a professional who can work with them to follow the transition process and deal with any potential bumps in the road. Suppose someone was incarcerated long enough that their driver's license expired. A case manager will help them navigate the process of reinstating their license. Your case manager can assist you with a number of other transitional changes, including finding work, seeking educational or training opportunities, and filling out paperwork.
Life Skills
A case manager also can help someone deal with potential gaps in their current life skills. If someone has trouble reading or writing, for example, a case manager can connect them with the right learning environment to get them up to speed. People who have trouble managing the basic financial system can seek assistance with skills like setting up and maintaining bank accounts, balancing their checkbooks, and setting up automatic payments from employers.
Mental Health Services
Your reentry transitional housing center should also connect you to mental health services. Many people's convictions trace to drug and alcohol issues, for example. Undiagnosed or poorly managed mental health concerns also frequently drive people into the legal system. Someone in that situation can find counseling and support through the housing program's network. Facilities often have counselors on their staff, too.
Employment Connections
An incarceration transitional housing program will usually develop relationships with businesses in their communities. These are employers that understand participants' situations and are willing to work with them without prejudicial attitudes. Not only can a participant get some cash flowing, but they can start developing good references for future employment opportunities. Many jobs also help people build skills and demonstrate work ethic, making participants inherently more employable. Also, good references and steady incomes can make regular housing opportunities more accessible.
Contact a professional to learn more about incarceration transitional housing programs.