Kentucky Government, Non-Profit, and Private Sector Groups Launch Reentry Resource Hub

Over 30 organizations across the Commonwealth have built a comprehensive tool aimed at connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with the supports needed for a fresh start

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 10, 2020)— Today, a group of over 30 supporting organizations launched a Kentucky Reentry Resource Guide for those returning to their communities after incarceration.

The reentry hub is geared toward connecting these individuals with resources available throughout the Commonwealth, and it can be accessed at kysmartoncrime.com and kyvoicesforhealth.org.

“This tool has exceeded our expectations,” said Amanda Hall, ACLU of Kentucky Smart on Crime Policy Strategist. “We knew Kentucky lacked a centralized source of information for those exiting the system, so it’s been incredible to see so many groups step up to the plate.  There is a widespread recognition that we must do better by providing more resources for folks who are returning from incarceration.”

The guide covers everything from employment, to education, to mental health, to veteran services, to substance use disorder, to insurance, to housing and utilities, voting, expungement and more.

“Justice reform and reentry must be inclusive to those directly impacted to make decisions and build the communities and families we all desire,” said Savvy Shabazz, President of All of Us or None, a grassroots civil & human rights organization fighting for the rights of formerly and currently incarcerated people and their families.

Supporting organizations and individuals include:

Alaina Combs, The Healing Place

Amanda Hall, ACLU of Kentucky

Amelia Kirby, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

Angela Cooper, Kentucky Voices for Health, Healthy Reentry Coalition of Kentucky

Beth Davidson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Brandy Troxell, Department of Public Advocacy

Brent Welsh, Oxford House

Brittany Herrington, Peer Program Coordinator – Pathways

Ciara Warren, Louisville Health Department

Dawn Gasser, Alternative Sentencing Program Supervisor, Department of Public Advocacy

Gene Detherage Jr., Engagement & Outreach Specialist for Kentucky, The Fletcher Group

Hannah King, DOC Division of Addiction Services, Program Administrator

Jackie MeGhee-Rutledge, Center for Employment Opportunities

Jessica Klein, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

Jolie Scott, Opportunity Network, Dish on Market

Judi Jennings, Louisville Family Justice Advocates

Julius Johnson, Director of Reentry Services, Lexington Rescue Mission

Kathy Salomon,Louisville Metro Department of Corrections

Keturah Herron, ACLU of Kentucky

Kim Scott, Pike County Department of Public Advocacy

Kita Clement, Department of Public Advocacy

Laura Carr, Lexington Rescue Mission

Lindsay Horseman, Department of Public Advocacy, Alternative Sentencing

Mandy Simpson, Metro United Way

Marcus Jackson, Louisville Urban League

Marty Johnson, Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Reentry Services

Courtney Ham, Healthy Reentry Coalition, Co-Chair

Mikayle Hart, Alternative Sentencing Worker for DPA

Miranda Deaton, Louisville Metro Government, Opportunity Network /Criminal Justice Commission

Missy Harvey Columbia, KY Alternative Sentencing Worker

Olivia Spradlin, Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Patricia Short, Regional Resource Manager – OUD program with Pathways

Phoebe Embry, Department of Public Advocacy, Alternative Sentencing

Rebecca Barker, DOC Reentry

Rev. Dean Bucalos, Mission Behind Bars and Beyond

Roger Fox, Shepherds House

Sara Clevenger, Department of Public Advocacy

Savvy Shabazz, The Bail Project, All of Us or None Louisville, Life Coach Each One Teach One Reentry Fellowship

Selena Coomer, The Prisoner’s Hope

Shameka Parrish-Wright, The Bail Project, Operations Manager

Sheila Schuster, KY Mental Health Coalition

Steve Davis, Transitioning Partners

Tialisha Lumpkin, Catholic Charities of Louisville, Kentucky Criminal Justice Forum

Tyra Walker, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression

About Kentucky Smart on Crime:

Kentucky Smart on Crime, a broad-based coalition working for common-sense justice reforms that enhance public safety, strengthen communities, and promote cost effective sentencing alternatives.  Partner organizations include American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, Kentucky Council of Churches, Catholic Conference of Kentucky, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc. and Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Kentucky Youth Advocates. For more information, visit: kysmartoncrime.com or @kysmartoncrime on Twitter.

One thought on “Kentucky Government, Non-Profit, and Private Sector Groups Launch Reentry Resource Hub

  1. I was really proud to get to help collaborate and work on this project. It’s so inspiring to see so many people recognize that the ability of people to successfully turn their lives around requires many faces and many voices. We have so many resources in our state but oftentimes we fail to connect the pieces in a meaningful way so that individuals have a clear path to success. Rarely does someone fail to successfully reenter society through some inherent moral failing or lack for willingness to work towards a better life, most often they simply fail to be directed toward the appropriate resources and support systems.

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