During the September Cook County Board meeting, three new funding opportunities were approved for Justice Advisory Council to provide job training services to emerging adults and supports for returning citizens.
Contracts totaling $700,000 for employment services to emerging adults will provide vocation services, supports and job placement to at least 200 individuals between October 1, 2020, and September 20, 2021. This includes training and other preparation for obtaining and retaining employment in emerging sectors such as health, manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics.
A second item that was approved by the County Board was $1,000,000 in service agreements for people returning from prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. This set of contracts will provide needed healthcare services, legal services, employment supports, entrepreneurship training, housing supports, and general support services to at least 500 individuals returning from prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities between December 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021.
The last item approved was a contract with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The $925,000 contract will assist with a comprehensive re-entry effort for three years, pursuant to a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The re‐entry strategy will serve individuals returning to Cook County communities between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2023.