Administrative Offices of the Courts and Probation Participate in Reentry Provider Fair
On Friday, February 21st, the Nebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS), Probation, and Parole hosted the first Reentry Provider Fair at the Center for People in Need in Lincoln. Participating organizations of this fair work with individuals who are reentering their communities after a period of incarceration. Many providers assist reentry individuals with meeting basic needs such as food assistance, housing, medical and mental health resources. NDCS hosts six Inmate Reentry Fairs inside correctional facilities throughout the state each year, and providers are able to share their services with inmates prior to release. The February Reentry Provider Fair originated during an Inmate Reentry Fair when Dan Rutt, Director of Housing Recovery in Hastings, NE, asked why providers do not have a similar event to network and share best practices around helping people through the reentry process. Christy Rupe, Director of Social Work at NDCS, listened to this feedback and proposed the event at a monthly NDCS, Probation, and Parole Collaboration meeting in December. By mid-January, organizations started reaching out to our offices and committed to attend.
Over 50 agencies and well over 150 staff attended the event, including Post Release Supervision Officers, Probation Programs Specialists, and several Probation Officers from Probation District 3A. Providers were each given the opportunity to speak to the group about their efforts in helping people transition back into their communities. In addition, it was an effective opportunity for Probation staff to have multiple interactions with providers.
Probation, Parole, and NDCS received positive feedback from all attendees and plan to make this an annual event. Individuals facing reentry will benefit from this collaboration, as providers will be able to better assist in referrals and connecting people to organizations they might not have been aware of prior to the fair. There is also discussion about hosting a similar fair in central Nebraska to include rural providers in a proximate location.