Reentry Career Alliance Academy

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2019

The Reentry Career Alliance Academy (RCAA) partnership implemented by the Montgomery County Office of Reentry provides opportunities for adult citizens with criminal histories to reintegrate into their communities. Participants voluntarily engage in hands-on service integration via local public and private service providers that help minimize barriers to effective reentry and reduce recidivism. The RCAA experience begins upon completion of intake orientation assessment, risk/needs screening, and enrollment in the 4-week career readiness curriculum. RCAA commitment consists of 29 cognitive-based workshops, concluding with a focus group and formal graduation. The holistic workshop environment focuses on criminogenic needs of ex-offender reentry and the unique challenges restored citizens face in their effort to increase employability and life skills. Subject matter experts, inclusive of peer educators, engage in interactive social skill building, including: • Reentry & Case Planning, • Offender Workforce Development & Retention, • Personal & Social Responsibility, • Behavioral Health, • Housing, • Healthcare, • Change Modification, • Mock Interview, • Interpersonal Communication, • Financial Literacy, • Networking, • Legal Issues,• Education, • Victim Awareness,• and other supportive services. Within the first three years of operation, the Office of Reentry celebrated the success of 389 of 409 RCAA graduates, reflecting a 95.11% post-program graduate success rate and post-program commitment rate to prison of 4.89%.