Implementing Employment Programs to Support Reentry: Lessons from the 2018 and 2019 Reentry Project Grants

SPR and Mathematica conducted an implementation study of Reentry Project grants. Our team found that:

• Connecting participants to education and training was a key success. Respondents from 15 programs indicated that some of their programs’ greatest successes were helping participants complete education and training services and to earn degrees and certifications. Grantees offered a diverse set of education and training to participants, including work-based learning (WBL) opportunities. 

• Helping participants find and retain jobs was one of the greatest successes. Staff members from four sites also described helping participants find jobs with the potential for advancement.  

• When working to place participants in employment, RP program staff provided intensive job search support, job placement, and retention assistance. RP grantees reported that job placement assistance was as an important employment-focused service, describing how their programs build up to employment starting with services like assessment, goal setting, and then moving on to training—all leading up to job placement. RP staff then helped support career exploration, connected participants to employers for applications and interviews, and provided ongoing support following placement. 

Read the full report here.