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The Justice Reinvestment Team at the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) aims to increase information and resource-sharing, while creating and fostering a statewide, online community Newsletter.
- Reentry Programming and Services
- Behavioral Health Treatment and Services
- Support for Victims and Restitution Enhancements
- Training and Education
- Safe Alternatives to Incarceration
- Pretrial Services and Programs
Please note that the Newsletter organizes all updates in chronological order under its subsections: Grants, Upcoming Events and Conferences, Meetings, Programs, and Other Information.
The Performance Incentive Grant Fund (PIGF) is the main funding source for justice reinvestment, as it comprises the savings generated from implementing Justice Reinvestment Act reforms. The funding period runs from July 1st to June 30th each year, and subrecipients of this grant report their progress to GOCPP on a quarterly basis.
In this new segment, we will be picking one PIGF subrecipient each quarter and highlighting the impactful work their organization is performing. This quarter, our Subrecipient Spotlight is for Voices of Hope!
The Voices of Hope Intercept Zero Program aims to increase access to behavioral health treatment and reduce recidivism among justice-involved individuals in Cecil and Harford Counties. Peer Recovery Specialists provide individuals with direct support, assisting them in overcoming barriers to treatment and recovery services. A core component of the program is no-cost transportation assistance, as reliable transportation is vital to successful reentry and recovery. Through the Intercept Zero Program, Voices of Hope provides justice-impacted individuals with transportation to recovery housing, employment and vocational services, court appointments, family reunification efforts, and other critical recovery supports—including a ride home from jail.
From July to September of 2025, Voices of Hope demonstrated effective program delivery and strong community collaboration. They recorded a total of 10,176 encounters, representing 1,178 unique justice-impacted individuals. Participants engaged with services an average of 8 times, indicating consistent program involvement and trust. Almost all participants continued to engage with the program following their initial transport. Voices of Hope connected 182 individuals to a behavioral health provider and 15 individuals to housing services.
This quarter, Voices of Hope experienced an increase in transportation requests from the detention centers in both counties of operation. This rise in program engagement is a result of the organization’s strong commitment to fostering community partnerships and collaboration with local agencies. The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office recently installed a payphone in the detention center lobby for individuals to call Voices of Hope, and the Harford County Detention Center started providing individuals with bags containing their contact information. These acts of partnership have allowed an increased number of individuals to seek these valuable services upon their release. Going forward, Voices of Hope plans to further develop their coordinated approach by enhancing current partnerships and establishing new ones.
Through the Intercept Zero Program, Voices of Hope has cultivated a highly collaborative and impactful peer support initiative. Peer connections are integral to receiving necessary resources and support while navigating community reintegration. Through consistent service delivery and stakeholder collaboration, Voices of Hope is effectively addressing the needs of the individuals they serve.
For more information, please visit https://www.voicesofhopemaryland.org/.
No grant information to include this month.
1. Understanding Expungements: Career Success for Justice-Impacted Individuals - Linthicum Heights, Maryland
December 3, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Ready to take the next step toward a fresh start? Join us for an empowering workshop that breaks down Maryland’s expungement laws and helps you understand your options for clearing your record.
During this session, you will learn about the latest updates on state expungement policies, including changes under the Justice Reinvestment Act (JRA) that may expand your eligibility. You’ll also explore valuable bonding resources and employment support designed to open doors to new opportunities.
Please note that this is an informational workshop, not an expungement clinic.
The workshop will take place at the AAWDC Career Center, 613 Global Way, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.
Click here for more information.
2. Life After: Career Success for Justice-Impacted Individuals - Linthicum Heights, Maryland
December 17, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Join us for a workshop designed to support justice-impacted individuals who are returning to the workforce.
Rebuilding your career after involvement with the justice system can be challenging—but you don’t have to do it alone. This workshop is designed to help you step confidently into your next chapter.
Through a guided presentation and discussion, you’ll learn how to identify your transferable skills, strengthen your essential skills for workplace success, and learn strategies for job readiness and navigating the early stages of employment. This session will give you the tools you need to thrive in the workplace and beyond.
The workshop will take place at the AAWDC Career Center, 613 Global Way, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.
Click here for more information.
No meeting information to include this month.
DPSCS is proud to partner with 211 MD to bring to Marylanders information about reentry services that are available in all 24 jurisdictions that exist to help the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, along with resources for family members. This partnership supports our goal to increase public safety and wellness, reducing recidivism.
211 MD is a first-of-its-kind statewide reentry resource database. Dial 211 to get connected to employment and community resources 24/7/365. Additionally, you can search for reentry resources from trusted organizations by ZIP code via https://211md.org/resources/mdreentry/.
You can also sign up to receive text message updates for reentry information, services, programs, and events. Subscribe by texting reentry to 898-211.
Our Mission
Empowering individuals to overcome challenges and embrace purpose, we provide holistic care that fosters recovery, personal growth, and stability. With a focus on emotional well-being, resilience, and self-expression, our services support healing and the development of new skills. Through compassionate support and essential resources, we help create the foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Our Services
For more information please click here.
Live Benevolent Behavioral Health
Our Mission
At Live Benevolent, we provide aid and comfort to individuals, groups, and communities impacted by substance abuse, violence, tragedy, and traumatic events. We assist clients with life’s challenges including substance use disorders, relationship and behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, and daily living needs.
Our Services
Live Benevolent offers a wide range of support to young adults and their families, and men who battle mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
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Outpatient Mental Health – Assessments & evaluations, individual, family, and group therapy, medication management, and therapeutic mentoring.
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Substance Use Disorder – Prevention, professional assessments & treatment planning, individual counseling, peer-led group discussions, recovery support, and referrals. Services available short-term, intermediate, and long-term. We also offer MCORR Housing, supportive housing that provides safe, stable housing paired with recovery focused services to help individuals maintain sobriety, access resources, and build independence.
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Psychiatric Rehabilitation – Evidence-based support for individuals with persistent mental health conditions, focusing on self-care, financial literacy, anger management, and independent living skills.
For more information please click here.
Our Commitment
At Live Benevolent, we are dedicated to strengthening lives, restoring hope, and supporting mental health and wellness across our community with compassion and care.
📢 We’re Hiring!
Mental Health Therapist
Provide assessments and therapy for adults and children navigating mental health and co-occurring challenges.
[Apply Today]
Updates to Dorchester County Health Resources
- Dorchester County Health Department has a new address: 627 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
- Dorchester County Behavioral Health has a new address: 401 Academy Street, Cambridge, MD 21613
- DRI Dock Recovery & Wellness Center has a new address: 103 Maryland Avenue, Cambridge, MD 21613
HealthCare Access Maryland Returning Citizens Community Connections Program (RCCC)
The RCCC program is designed to reduce recidivism by addressing the health and social needs of Returning Citizens in Maryland. The RCCC program works with repeat offenders that are residing or returning to Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City or Baltimore County up to one year post release.
Gatekeepers
Gatekeepers is an organization that focuses on re-entry. Our mission is to motivate, empower, and encourage both current and ex-offenders through mentoring services by challenging them to make positive decisions and ultimately help facilitate the process of a successful transition back to their communities. These individuals often do not have positive role models in their life to aid them in their efforts. At Gatekeepers, our team is dedicated to helping people overcome obstacles standing in their way to achieving success and reaching their life goals.
Business of Living Workbook and Program: The Business of Living is the heart of what we do. It focuses on the Personal, Occupational, Educational, and Spiritual areas of your life. Under the supervision of our Director of Operations Keith Roys, Gatekeepers has created the Business of Living Workbook and uses it to help current and former inmates chart their re-entry path to success. Gatekeepers works with men and women currently incarcerated to get them started on their re-entry planning. Gatekeepers will then meet them at the gate on their day of release (if needed) and get them immediately started on implementing their re-entry plan.
Resource Club: The Saturday morning Gatekeepers Resource Club, held in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church (15 Randolph Ave.), is where community resources get to connect with returning citizens. The doors open at 9:30 am for networking and coffee. The meeting starts at 10:00 am and runs until 11:00 am. Many people stay afterwards to continue networking and connecting with resource providers that were present. Organizations including the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, the Area Health Education Center - West (AHEC-W), the Washington County Health Department, CASA, and many more provide a wide array of assistance to meeting attendees.
For more information about the Business of Living program, the Resource Club, Gatekeepers’ community partners, and more, visit https://www.gatekeepersmd.org/ or email gatekeepers.wcmd@gmail.com
Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts - Victims of Crime Video Series
The Maryland Judiciary has produced a two-part video series on the rights and roles of victims of crime. The first video covers the role of victims in bringing criminal charges and in criminal cases, and the second video addresses the rights of victims of crime, hiring legal representation, receiving information about the criminal case, financial compensation, and the rights of sexual assault victims. Each video has Spanish captioning available and has an accompanying tip sheet that summarizes the key points of the videos and provides a list of resources. The videos and tip sheets are available at mdcourts.gov and are part of a wider Court Help Video Library at mdcourts.gov/videos.
Embrace Community Reentry Center
Saved2Serve Educational Services
Mission Statement: To teach, empower, improve, and transform the lives of returning citizens through education; specifically, by obtaining the General Educational Development (GED) to enter the workforce with 21st Century Skills.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Identity Access Project
Flikshop
Flikshop aims to ease the process of sending postcards to incarcerated individuals. Founded by Marcus Bullock, a formerly incarcerated individual himself, the company fights recidivism by keeping families connected, so that individuals foster successful reentry, once released. We focus on families and their loved ones affected by incarceration, and assist them with technology that helps to leverage their relationships. Likewise, Flikshop has grown to connect businesses that work to build social impact strategies and community engagement teams that work to combat mass incarceration.
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Mindset Care specializes in assisting individuals and caregivers with SSI and SSDI applications. Our streamlined online process reduces the application time from 4-6 weeks to just 1 hour. We charge a one-time fee, equivalent to 25% of the claimant's back pay, mandated by the SSA office. There are no recurring fees or monthly charges for claimants. Our services include full legal representation, dedicated case managers, and access to a licensed psychologist.
We manage the entire application process from initial filing to appeals, ensuring a seamless experience for claimants. Our partnership with TruConnect also offers qualified claimants a federally subsidized cell phone. Noteworthy points about Mindset Care:
- No charge to our partners or your organization
- No fee if the claimant's application is not accepted
- Management of all necessary medical records and correspondence
- Focus on securing stable income, benefits, and housing opportunities for claimants
Contact Kian Ronnasi at kronnasi@mindset.care with any questions.
Project ENCORE (P-ENCORE) is the Pratt Library's new restorative justice program which aims to dismantle institutional barriers and social reintegration challenges that lead to recidivism. There are three parts to P-ENCORE: Workforce Development, Digital Equity, and the Reconnection Center. Our mission is to empower formerly incarcerated individuals by equipping them with the essential tools to thrive as productive members of society. We adopt a comprehensive approach by seamlessly connecting participants with Pratt's existing wrap-around services, including housing, substance abuse rehabilitation, social work, and more, addressing their mental, emotional, financial, and physical well-being. See here for more information on their extensive programming. Our Multi-Tiered approach is designed to:
- Foster generational wealth and leave a lasting legacy.
- Provide a stable source of income for participants.
- Offer support for housing and transportation needs.
- Create safe, inclusive spaces for open dialogue about barriers and mental health challenges.
- Enhance self-esteem and boost participants' sense of pride and self-worth.
If you're interested in volunteering, partnering, or becoming a participant in any of our initiatives, please reach out to swalker@prattlibrary.org or kbailey@prattlibrary.org.
Description of this workbook from the author, Vanessa Bright, Executive Director of the Maryland Reentry Resource Center:
"I created this workbook because I believe that reentry should begin the day after a person enters the correctional facility to serve his or her sentence. Instead, too often the process does not begin until a few months before release. This workbook focuses on soft skills, which we can take wherever we go in life, no matter what we do. Soft skills characterize how a person interacts in relationships with others, including communication, time management, problem-solving, and conflict resolution."
Click here for more information.
Baltimore Veteran Reentry Resources
The Baltimore Station
Know a veteran who is soon to be released with a substance use disorder? The Baltimore Station provides wraparound support programs for homeless veterans that has a workforce program, and a free residential program. Click here for more information, and contact James Hardy at outreach@baltimorestation.org with any questions.
Housing in Howard County
Bridges to Housing Stability
Bridges to Housing Stability is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, serving Howard County, MD. Bridges believes that housing is the key to a household’s stability. Whether resolving the issue of homelessness or preventing a household from becoming homeless, our goal goes beyond crisis intervention – our approach and mission focuses on long term housing stability for our target populations.
MISSION: To provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County, Maryland.
VISION: To champion the eradication of homelessness in Howard County, Maryland.
For more information, please visit https://bridges2hs.org/
Housing in Prince George's County
DXT Therapeutic Foundation
Offers shared transitional wrap around housing in Prince George's County. Call (240)-838-3707 or Michelle Hare at (240)-676-2895 for assistance.
Housing in Baltimore City
Sheppard Pratt
Sheppard Pratt is offering a new residential treatment program for clients with co-occurring disorders. They offer rent support and other resources for apartments in Baltimore City. For more information, contact Ziva Ritchie at (410)-382-5426.
St. Ambrose
Four new housing spots/beds are available in partnership with Jacob's Well for justice-involved youth ages 18-24. Please contact Shalawn James at St. Ambrose for more information at shalawnj@stambros.org.
To be included in January's Newsletter, please make your submission by COB Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025.
For more information and to make your January submission, visit the Submission Page here or send it to justice.reinvestment@maryland.gov.
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