*Resource Highlights*

National Blueprint for Reentry: The National HIRE Network, in conjunction with the National Reentry Consortium, presents this National Blueprint for Reentry, a comprehensive plan for developing a national policy agenda to improve employment and educational opportunities for people with criminal records. The Blueprint offers broad proposals for legislative and administrative reform that would mitigate barriers and encourage successful reintegration. Click here to view report.

Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board Affirms Administrative Law Judge's decision on claimant's eligibility to receive unemployment insurance benefits after employment was terminated based on criminal conviction 6-10 years prior: Appeals Board affirms Administrative Judge's decision after the Commissioner of Labor appealed the decision stating claimant's termination does not constitute provoked discharge and voluntary separation without cause. The Board found that given that the criminal convictions date from more than five years prior to claimant began working at the employment at issue in the healthcare field he could not have been aware of their effect under Department of Health employment regulations. Click here to read appeal letter and Appeal Board's decision. Click here to view memorandum.

Putting Public Safety First - 13 Supervision Strategies to Enhance Reentry Outcomes: This report written by eight authors in four organizations, with the support of the JEHT Foundation, NIC and the Bureau of Justice Assistance identifies 13 effective strategies for supervising individuals released from prison that would help policy makers and practitioners improve public safety, reduce recidivism and make the best use of taxpayers' dollars. Click here to read the full report. Click here to see the executive summary.

Find out about Collateral Consequences in Your State: Resource prepared by the Bronx Defenders that lists reports and training manuals on collateral consequences of criminal proceedings and barriers to reentry in many states, with links. Click here to view page.

Remember to visit Past Resources of the Week for highlighted reports, toolkits, and training materials from the past year.

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*Upcoming Events & Opportunities*

FREE Legal Assistance for Applicants for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct: South Brooklyn Legal Services (SBLS) is partnering with Law Students for Economic Justice at NYU Law School to provide free legal assistance to people with past criminal convictions applying for Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificate of Good Conduct. Trained law student volunteers will help eligible candidates from all Burroughs to prepare and submit applications. To obtain legal assistance, contact SBLS’ Employment Law Hotline at 718-237-5516, Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am and 12pm. Case managers and advocates may refer clients by email to rbennett@sbls.org.

Rally and Press Conference to Oppose City's $500 Million Plan to Build A Jail in the Bronx: Community group members of the coalition Community in Unity (CIU) will rally on the steps of City Hall to highlight the absurdity of Mayor Bloomberg's plan to allocate $500 million for another jail in Hunts Point amid New York City's budget crisis. Members will offer community-driven solutions as alternatives to incarceration that the funds should be used for, especially in a community that belongs to one of the poorest congressional district in the United States and faces tough economic hardship ahead. The rally will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at Noon on the Steps of City Hall (260 Broadway Avenuw, New York NY).

Navigating The Fiscal Crisis in New York City: A Forum for Non Profits:  In times of financial need, it is even more imperative that we work on creating healthy partnerships and collaborations and leveraging the relationships that we have. At this forum, leaders in governmental affairs, foundations, and business will inform nonprofits about what we can do now to keep our organizations strong. The event is sponsored by We are All Brooklyn and Project Care and will be held on December 17th from 9AM to 12PM.

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*Employment Opportunities*

Howie the Harp Advocacy Center’s Forensic Peer Specialist Training Program: Howie the Harp, which provides training and support services that have successfully helped hundreds of mental health consumers find meaningful, permanent employment in the New York area is seeking applications for its forensic peer specialist training program that begins on January 14, 2009. The program trains consumers of mental health services with experience in the criminal justice system to become peer counselors. It is a six-month in class training followed by a three to six month internship and job placement. Deadline for application is December 21, 2008. For more information, please contact Rhonda Stanford-crews at rcrews@communityaccess.org.

Training and Technical Assistance Project Director- Family Justice: Family Justice, a national nonprofit organization which works with families, government agencies, the private sector, and community partners, offering training and technical assistance on its methods and serving as a resource for public policy makers and criminal justice professionals is seeking qualified candidates to apply to Training and Technical Assistance project director.

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