We are thrilled to announce that Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable is partnering with Austin Film Festival to promote Guest House, a feature documentary that shines a light on the reentry experience. Directed by Hannah Dweck and Yael Luttwak, Guest House follows the stories of three women in a reentry house as they attempt to acclimate […]
Read MoreWondering what the Reentry Roundtable has been up to this past year? Strategic Goal: Engaging Diverse Stakeholders Impacted by Reentry This year, the Roundtable engaged community leaders and policymakers across the region and state to better understand the impacts of incarceration and reentry on diverse communities, including the following activities: Supported the Reentry Advocacy Project […]
Read MorePlease join us in welcoming the newest members of the Roundtable Executive Committee for 2019-2020! At the September meeting, the Planning Council elected the following officers: Chair: Michelle Collins, MA, LPC, MPA, Integral Care Vice Chair: Mia Greer, RN, BSN, CLIA, Community Health Coalition RAP Representative: Carl F. Hunter II, M.Div, Recovery People Past Chair: […]
Read MoreThe 2019 Legislative session has wrapped up with Governor Abbott signing in to law 1,229 of the 1,429 bills that were sent to him. Of these, several are directly related to and impact those with lived experience in the criminal justice system. A few highlights include: HB 3227 – Expands the use of reentry peer support and increases […]
Read MoreThroughout the month of April, the Roundtable made multiple public presentations about our work around reentry, fair chance hiring, and the Texas Criminal Background Screening Guide for Rental Housing Providers. We invite you to watch the Roundtable’s presentation to the Travis County Commissioners Court about FY19 goals and accomplishments by clicking here and advancing to the video’s 1:45:07 mark. […]
Read MoreOn Thursday, April 18th, House Representative Alma Allen filed HR1268 “recogniz[ing] April 2019 as Second Chance Month and commend[ing] those who have made a successful transition to life outside the corrections system as well as those organizations and individuals who have assisted in that process.” This resolution honored many men, women and organizations that have impacted criminal justice policy in Texas, including […]
Read MoreThis month Reentry Roundtable Chair Reggie Smith will begin a new position as Peer Services Team Lead for Behavioral Health at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This transition supports his passion for peer support, especially as it relates to reentry. Peer support involves relationship-based, recovery-focused personalized support services delivered by people with first-hand experience. Peers offer […]
Read More“My first couple of months as the Roundtable’s Fair Chance Employment Champion have been spent familiarizing myself with the work before me: reading, researching, and attending RAP and Planning Council meetings. I have had exciting discussions with Goodwill, Workforce Solutions, ACC, American Youthworks, ME3LJ, Lee College, ARMA, the City of Austin, Travis County Sheriff’s Department, […]
Read MoreOn April 16th, the Roundtable and RAP were thrilled to celebrate Second Chance Month by presenting RAP Speaks, the second annual storytelling event focused on sharing the voices and perspectives of individuals directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion opened the event with thoughtful remarks, setting the tone for the rest […]
Read MoreWe are thrilled to welcome Hank Perret as the Roundtable’s Fair Chance Hiring Champion! He will serve the Roundtable as an Executive Fellow through Leadership Austin‘s unique program that utilizes the experience of semi- or fully retired leaders to build the capacity of community organizations. Hank’s background in both the private and non-profit sectors is […]
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