Inmates report the Reentry Program has given them hope for positive change. Most feel that, for the first time, someone is listening to thier concerns and actively assiting in accessing services and removing barreier to success.  An inmate wrote to the Reentry Case Manager saying the he had recieved more help from the Case Manager than anyone else he had encountered in the Detention Center. The Case Manager was able to assist this gentleman with ontainging his State ID working with the MVA Reentry Liason. 

The Reentry Case Management Program staff hosted a Reentry Stakeholders Meeting on June 18, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to bring community partners working with the reentry population together to reduce gaps in services and community needs that have been identified as challenges to citizens reentering in Calvert County. This networking meeting will continue on a quarterly basis. In addition, a monthly Reentry Case Planning meeting will be held for inmates with extensive needs. The meeting will be individualized to the inmate under review. Service agencies that may be able to address the inmates specific needs are invited to the meetings to assist in the case review and offer resources. These meetings assist the reentry case managers in developing and finializing a reentry case plan.   Also of note, the County Commissioners approved funding for a Full Time Reentry SGt at the Calvert County Detention Center to oversee rentry planning. The position will be filled August 2018. The Reentry Case Manager works with an array of community partners. In the last half of FY 18, the Case Manager bulit a relationship with the MVA Reentry Liasion. The MVA Reentry Liason assists inmates and clients with barrier issues releated to  MVA records, State ID, and Licenses and  Social Security Card and Birth Certificate . The Reentry Case Manager coordinated a day for the MVA Reentry Liasion to come to the Detention Center and meet with inmates to work through MVA needs.  Also in the second half of FY 18, Project Echo Shelter  housed  3 homeless clients in the Reentry Program and has helped to support these clients in thier transition back to the community. A partnership with the Admissions Office at the  College of Southern Maryland was forged to assist in the enrollment process for reentry  clients with a history of felony charges. Two Churches that are a part of the Helping Inmates Transition to Society (HITTS) Minitstry provided funds by individaul request for fees tuition,work clothing,and storage fees. The Department of Social Services (DSS)  provided bus passes and and the DSS Citizen Board provided  tuition assistance for 1 client enrolling in a workforce development program. 

The Case Manager stays in close contact with inmates in the weeks leading up to thier release to ensure barriers are addressed prior to release, allowing for a smooth transition back into the community. The Case Manager regularly checks in with clients to see if thier needs have changed and provides warm hand offs to agencys that can assist. A warm handoff has proved more effective than simply providing a resource listing. The Case Manager utilizing the LS/CMI tool for needs assessment and case planning as an evidence-based ways to balance the needs, risks and responsivity level unique to each inmate. The Case Manager also uses Motivational Interviewing to motivate clients to make difficult changes and to remain engaged in services. The Case Manager attened an annual Motivational Interviewing Refresher in May 2018, along with other Reentry partner staff. 

Reentry Case Management provides opportunities for disconnected youth and parents in incarceration to reconnect with families and receive case management and interventions that address their risks and needs, especially those related to behavioral health, education and employment.

Disconnected Youth (ages 18 - 24) and Incarcerated Parents at the Calvert County Detention Center