DHS Office of Community and Faith Engagement to allocate funds to help former prisoners

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Community and Faith Engagement (OCFE) is requesting proposals for funding to support a local prisoner reentry service program.

Via Local Project #14-003, funded through HB2101, OCFE will allocate up to $13,700 to a local volunteer organization that provides post-release services to individuals (and/or their families) who are exiting a correctional system to reside in an Oklahoma community.

"We see many challenges for this population," says Ginger Elliott-Teague, OCFE Programs Manager. "We are seeking to support programs that have a strong potential to increase the availability, reach and/or quality of services for ex-offenders in Oklahoma."

Funding must be utilized to build the capacity of an existing program or service in one of the following areas: housing, employment, financial tutoring/education, transportation, and parenting and/or family support. The program should increase ex-offender and family stability and promote healthy, productive lifestyles.

Funding may be used for direct service delivery, capital improvements, staff and volunteer support, training, and/or program expansion. Only expenses directly related to the proposed program will be funded.

Project proposals will be evaluated by a review panel and the selection will be based on the quality of the proposal, the merits of the individual program and community needs, and provide the best value for the state. Proposals that incorporate collaborative efforts among multiple organizations will receive extra credit in the review process.

The distribution of funding begins June 1, 2014 and will continue for a period of up to one year.

Applications should be submitted to ginger.elliott-teague@okdhs.org by Feb. 28, 2014. No applications submitted after that date will be accepted.

HB2101 Local Reentry Project Application 2014 (.pdf, 22 pp, 259 KB)

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