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U.S. Pretrial and Probation Workforce Development for Western WashingtonThe Workforce Development Website for the Western District of Washington is a self-directed resource for Federal Pretrial and Probation clients. The services are dedicated in providing career assistance for individuals with criminal histories to obtain meaningful employment which in turn, improves the likelihood of job retention that reduces the rate of recidivism. Find region-specific resources and events to address barriers and other obstacles to achieving gainful employment. AARP Foundation WorkSearchAARP Foundation WorkSearch offers free employment and training services to older workers 55+ who meet residential and income eligibility. Individuals with a felony conviction are welcome to call and inquiry about enrollment. There are two Project Sites in Washington: Seattle (206-624-6698) and Spokane (509-325-7712). The Seattle site primarily operates in King and Snohomish Counties while the Spokane Site offers services throughout Eastern Washington. If eligible, participants are assigned to community service at a local nonprofit for 18 hours a week, which is paid at minimum wage. Next, each participant is assigned to an Employment Specialist; together they create a customized employment and training plan. Additionally, WorkSearch will fund classes if related to the job search and compensate for time in class as well. The Program is short-term (months not years) with the expectation that participants are actively conducting a job search. The AARP Foundation WorkSearch Program has the highest placement rate of all Senior Community Service Employment Programs in the U.S. Staff is committed to helping those in need find their way back to work. 4People.org4People.org is a comprehensive online resources, services and programs listings for each county in Washington State. 4People Offender/Ex-Offender Resources excel spreadsheets with contact information can be found at http://4People.org/Reentry/Reentry.html or under Resources on each county’s website. Mobile/cell phone access to resource listings can be found at http://mobile.4People.org. Use the 4People directory of Self Help Tools to help people out of poverty, find housing, employment, education and health care. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for updates, corrections and comments. Veterans' Incarcerated Reintegration ProjectThe Veteran's Incarcerated Reintegration Project, a joint project with King, Pierce, Thurston and Clark Counties to address the needs of veterans’ incarcerated in County Correctional Facilities, offering alternatives to jail and referral to housing, employment services, and treatment. Many of the veterans have come to the jail due to un-treated drug and alcohol issues, poverty, homelessness, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Work Opportunity Tax CreditThe Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), authorized by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (P. L. 104-188), is a federal tax credit that encourages employers to hire eight targeted groups of job seekers by reducing employers’ federal income tax liability by as much as $2,400 per qualified new worker; $750, if working 120 hours or $1,200, if working 400 hours or more, per qualified summer youth. Employers can learn which new hires may qualify, find brochures, download IRS and ETA forms necessary to participate and find instructions at the U.S. Department of Labor or call 1.800.669.9271 National H.I.R.E. NetworkEstablished by the Legal Action Center, the National Helping Individuals with Criminal Records Re-enter through Employment Network is both a national clearinghouse for information and an advocate for policy change. The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion. The National H.I.R.E. Network also provides training and technical assistance to agencies working to improve the employment prospects for people with criminal records. Transitional JobsMeaningful work sets the stage for financial independence and career growth. Many individuals with barriers to work remain unemployed despite attempts to work because they have been unable to find and keep a job on their own. The National Transitional Jobs Network programs assist these individuals in gaining permanent jobs. By working in a subsidized, transitional job for three to twelve months, they earn a paycheck, learn technical skills for higher wage jobs, become eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and receive intensive mentoring and support. This transitional job is the first step toward permanent employment and economic opportunity. Oxford HouseOxford Houses of Washington State is a group of self-run, self-supported recovery houses that provide an opportunity for every recovering individual to learn a clean and sober way of life--forever. Oxford House, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella organization of the national network of individual Oxford Houses. Contributions and grants are used to expand the network of Oxford Houses by providing trained outreach workers to establish new houses and central service support to existing houses. Narcotics AnonymousNarcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 33,500 weekly meetings in over 116 countries worldwide. Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal Histories SectionCheck Criminal History Records or call 360.705.5100 for information about criminal record history maintained by the WSP. Disqualifying CrimesWashington State Department of Social & Health Services has published a list of crimes and negative actions that deny employment that provides unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles and children. To review the published list, see http://www.dshs.wa.gov/word/MS/bccu/SecListDDDEmpAllOthers.doc For more detailed information on the DSHS Background Check Unit, see http://www.dshs.wa.gov/msa/bccu/BCCU-crimesList.htm Washington Law HelpWashington Law Help assists low-Income people in Washington find solutions to civil legal problems. Interest Waiver Guide: A Guide on How to Obtain a Court Order Waiving or Reducing Interest on Legal Financial Obligations Washington State CourtsThis site includes a statewide directory of courts, including addresses and telephone numbers, court rules, forms and information about assistance with legal research from the state law library. The Administrative Office of the Courts may also be reached at 360.357.2129. Please note that this office can not offer any legal advice. Criminal Justice Records Washington State Bar AssociationCheck the Washington Bar Association website or call 206.727.8200 for information on how to find an attorney in your area (or contact your local county bar association). National Institute of CorrectionsThe National Institute of Corrections provides federal, state, and local corrections agencies with training, technical assistance, information services, and policy/program development assistance. The Correctional Education AssociationThe Correctional Education Association (CEA), founded in 1945, is a non-profit, professional association serving educators and administrators who provide services to students in correctional settings. The CEA is the largest affiliate of the American Correctional Association. U.S. Department of JusticeThe Bureau of Justice Statistics provides key national facts and statistics.
Justice Center – The Council of State Governments – Criminal Justice/Mental Health - Consensus ProjectThe National Reentry Resource CenterCharting the safe and successful return of prisoners to the community The Joyce Foundation’s - Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration“Evaluating Effective Strategies for Formerly Incarcerated Persons” – a study just out on employment programs for former inmates. Employment and Unemployment Records RequestCompleting and sending the Self-Request for Records form gets employment history and unemployment payment history from the Records Disclosure Unit of Employment Security. The Transition from Prison to Community InitiativeThe Transition from Prison to Community Initiative identifies and promotes adoption of evidence-based best practices that states should implement in the following stages of the transition process:
Office of Justice ProgramsReentry involves the use of programs targeted at promoting the effective reintegration of offenders back to communities upon release from prison and jail. Reentry programming, which often involves a comprehensive case management approach, is intended to assist offenders in acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in the community and become law-abiding citizens. Office of Justice Programs offer a variety of programs are used to assist offenders in the reentry process, including prerelease programs, drug rehabilitation and vocational training, and work programs.
Can I Clear My Criminal Record?If you have been charged with criminal violations in the past, the record of those charges may affect your ability to get work, housing, public benefits, financial aid for education, to drive or to enjoy other rights or privileges, such as voting. This Northwest Women's Law Center publication will help you understand what rights and options you have and what procedures you must use to clear or limit access to your criminal record by others. Criminal History/Records: When and How to Seal/Vacate Non-Violent Class B or C Felony ConvictionsThis Northwest Justice Project publication provides information and forms on how to vacate and seal records concerning certain non-violent Class B or C felony convictions in Washington State occurring on/after July 1, 1984. Washington State Coalition for the HomelessThe Washington State Coalition for the Homeless has taken the lead since 1984 in training, education, and advocacy with and on behalf of individuals and families who are homeless in Washington State. We are a 501-c-3 organization governed by representatives elected by their county coalitions and joined in our efforts by service providers, local, state and federal government agencies, legislators, business leaders, and individuals who are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to shelter, a basic human need. Citizens for Responsible JusticeCitizens for Responsible Justice is a humanitarian organization located in Washington dedicated to improving and promoting policies and change in the criminal justice system Reentry Policy CouncilEach year, nearly 650,000 people are released from US prisons, and over 7 million are released from jails; the vast majority will be rearrested within 3 years. In its groundbreaking report, the Re-Entry Policy Council offers hundreds of consensus-based, bipartisan recommendations for reducing public spending and increasing public safety by promoting the safe and successful return of these individuals to the community. National Criminal Justice Reference ServiceThe National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.
Washington Division of Child SupportThe Division of Child Support provides information for individuals to gain assistance to resolve child support issues. Washington Department of CorrectionsThe Washington Department of Corrections in collaboration with its criminal justice partners, victims, citizens, and other stakeholders will enhance community safety by holding offenders accountable through the administration of criminal sanctions and effective correctional programs. Washington State Jail IndustriesWashington State Jail Industries provides statewide leadership for jails to promote and mobilize employment focused community reentry programs through partnerships with labor, business, victims, communities, social service agencies and government.
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