Nevada County Offers Re-Entry Programs to Support Incarcerated Individuals

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The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is working to help incarcerated individuals transition back into the community by connecting them with resources and services prior to their release. The office has two Correctional Re-entry Coordinators who serve as social workers, assisting inmates with applying for programs like Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, and facilitating 'warm handoffs' to community-based organizations.

Why it matters

Providing incarcerated individuals with access to social services and community support before they are released can help address fundamental needs like housing, healthcare, and employment, which in turn reduces the likelihood of recidivism. This proactive, holistic approach to public safety represents a shift in how re-entry programs are implemented.

The details

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office offers re-entry services to all incarcerated individuals housed at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility and the Truckee Substation. The two Correctional Re-entry Coordinators, who also serve as social workers, explain the benefits of programs like Medi-Cal and facilitate applications with the consent of the individual. They also coordinate virtual meetings with Department of Social Services eligibility workers to provide information about state and county-sponsored initiatives, including CalFresh, General Assistance, CalWORKs, and the Emergency Relief program.

• The re-entry services are available to all incarcerated individuals within Nevada County facilities.

What’s next

The Sheriff's Office aims to continue expanding its partnerships with community-based organizations to further enhance the support available to individuals transitioning back into the community.