Deadline Date: May 04, 2026
The Community Reentry Settings Initiative aims to develop a structured evaluation framework that helps correctional agencies systematically understand how decisions are made when releasing incarcerated individuals to halfway houses and reentry centers.
The initiative focuses on examining the operational mechanisms involved in release decisions, understanding how criteria such as risk assessments, protective factors, and the risk, needs, and responsivity (RNR) principles influence placement decisions, reviewing the role of case managers in preparing incarcerated individuals for halfway house transitions, assessing the nature of the hand-off between prison officials and halfway house organizations, identifying how community partners such as businesses, education providers, and nonprofit organizations participate in the reentry process, and analyzing the continuum of care and support provided during the transition period including employment support, life skills development, mental health services, and substance use assistance.
This initiative is designed as a process evaluation effort rather than a program that funds the establishment or operation of halfway houses. The central goal is to gain a clearer understanding of how decisions about halfway house placements are currently made and to identify challenges and factors that influence these determinations within state Departments of Corrections. By studying the existing processes, the project aims to provide insights that can help improve reentry outcomes and strengthen the intentional and deliberate nature of release decision-making.
The decision-making process for releasing incarcerated individuals to community reentry settings plays a critical role in the broader criminal justice system. Effective reentry planning requires careful consideration of public safety concerns as well as the individual needs and risks of incarcerated individuals. Through systematic evaluation, this initiative seeks to reveal how correctional agencies currently apply assessment tools and planning strategies when preparing residents for transition to halfway houses.
Another important aspect of the initiative is understanding how coordination occurs between correctional institutions and community-based reentry organizations. The project will explore what happens during the transition phase, including how information and responsibilities are transferred from prison officials to halfway house providers. It will also assess how external partners, including community organizations, employers, educational institutions, and nonprofit entities, contribute to supporting individuals during their reintegration process.
The initiative will also examine the range of services and supports available to individuals residing in halfway houses during the reentry period. This includes evaluating how programs related to employment readiness, life skills training, mental health care, and substance use treatment are integrated into the reentry process. Understanding the availability and coordination of these services is essential for identifying opportunities to strengthen support systems that promote successful reintegration into the community.
The project has a total funding allocation of $100,000, with the expectation that one award will be made for a 12-month project period. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations that agree to waive profit or service fees, and institutions of higher education. Government organizations such as state, county, or city governments are not eligible to apply, although collaborative partnerships with multiple entities are encouraged as long as one eligible organization serves as the primary applicant and administrator of the project.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
