REENTERING YOUR COMMUNITY - General Services …

1 REENTERING . YOUR COMMUNITY . A Handbook Federal Bureau of Prisons REENTERING Your COMMUNITY - A Handbook . First Edition April 2016. WHAT IS THIS. HANDBOOK FOR? REENTERING your COMMUNITY Reentry can be a complicated can be more manageable when process others have felt the you're aware of Services and same way. But many of them resources available to help. were able to overcome this and have succeeded in finding work, This handbook contains 3 checklists: supporting themselves and their for before your release, families, and more. We want just after you return home, you to achieve the same. and later, when you're a bit more settled in. You are a member of your COMMUNITY , and we want to help you transition home and It also includes additional information in succeed.

2 If you have any questions, don't specific areas where you may have questions hesitate to call the Bureau of Prisons or be looking for tools available to you. Reentry Hotline (toll-free) at 1-877-895-9196. Be sure to review these lists, and discuss them and questions you may have with your 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that Case Manager, Bureau Social Worker, or helps people find the local resources they Reentry Affairs Coordinator. need (including reentry Services ) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting WHAT'S IN CHECKLIST #1: THIS GUIDE? THINGS TO DO. BEFORE YOUR RELEASE. TIMELINE: Start this at least 8 weeks n CHECKLIST #1: 1 2 3. before you leave. Things to do Before Your 3. DEF. ABC. 5 6. 4 MNO. Get your identification documents.

3 JKL. n CHECKLIST #2: n GHI. 8 9. 7 WXYZ. Things to do Immediately After TUV. PQRS. 0 # Talk with your Case Manager or Reentry Your * 6 ABC. Affairs Coordinator about this, because they can help you. n CHECKLIST #3: 2 3. Things to do to 9 1 DEF. You can get a6 social security card or a ABC. 5. Managing Your 11 replacement 4. GHI card for free from the Social JKL. MNO. 9. Security 7 Administration. PQRS. 8. TUV If you do not get WXYZ. Getting 15 your card before 0 # you leave prison, the appli- * ABC. cation and other information can be found at Taking Care of Your Physical and Mental 21. Birth certificates can be ordered while you Building Your 25 are in prison from the state where you were Finding a 27 born. If you do not get your birth certificate before you leave prison, this website shows Seeking Legal 31 you where to write for vital records for each Rebuilding Your 35 state and territory: Know Who to 38.

4 2 3. n Get proof of your GED / high school n Find out about any outstanding fees, completion, or any other classes you fines, debts, or warrants. took while in prison. Speak to your Case Manager about how If you got your GED while in prison, make to find out if you have any outstanding fees, sure you have your transcript before you are fines, warrants or debts. These can limit your released. The Bureau does not keep or give ability to obtain employment, housing, or GED transcripts post-release. even lead to arrest. If you have outstanding If you can, create a folder with everything child support payments, failing to manage positive you have done while in prison, this before your release could prevent you including certificates for vocational training, from getting a driver's license.

5 Drug treatment, anger management or any Are you a veteran? If yes, make sure other cognitive behavioral therapy. n you have your military discharge Get your medical records. papers. n Ask Health Services about getting copies You can do this either online (after your of your medical records while you are still in release) or by mail. If you choose to do by prison to help you transition to treatment in mail, check with your Case Manager to the COMMUNITY . see if they can give you the paper form. Instructions and forms for both online and by n Confirm your housing. mail can be found at gov/veterans/military-service-records/. Your Reentry Affairs Coordinator, Case Manager, or Social Worker (if available) can provide you information about finding a place to live in your release city.

6 Social Workers can also help if you need special housing such as a nursing home, assisted living, senior housing, or group home placement. 4 5. CHECKLIST #2: n Get a photo ID. THINGS TO DO IMMEDIATELY You can obtain one through your local AFTER YOUR RETURN Department of Motor Vehicles. To find your local Department of Motor Vehicles, and know what documents to bring (probably your birth TIMELINE: Do these in your first week certificate and/or social security card), visit of reentry. If you are transitioning through a Residential Sign-up for Health Insurance. Reentry Center, staff at the center will be able n to assist you with some of the items on this The Affordable Care Act has created free or checklist. low-cost health care coverage options and 3.

7 Improved access to health care Services . 2. n Find somewhere to access the 1 ABC. DEF. If you need low-cost health insurance, go to 6. internet. 4. GHI. 5. JKL. MNO. the Health Insurance Marketplace (www. 8 9. Most public libraries offer free internet 7. PQRS. TUV. WXYZ. ) The website helps individ- access (although photo identification may be *. 0. ABC. #. uals find and sign up for health care coverage required) and library staff can help you. Most and those who qualify can also sign up for Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) also Medicaid. Upon release, you have a 60-day have internet Services . special enrollment period to sign up. Create an email address. You can also call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: n 1-855-889-4325) 24/7 if you don't have a Many websites (for example computer or need help.)

8 The phone line is or ) allow you to set-up a closed Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, free email account. To make it simple and Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. professional, use your first name and last name, or some combination of your initials. Are you a veteran? If yes, you may qualify Write it down: for healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Information about your health benefits as a veteran can be found at: _____ (ex. 6 7. n Are you under age 26? CHECKLIST #3: If yes, confirm your selective service status. THINGS TO DO TO REBUILD. Your status may be required by employers or for student loans. TIMELINE: Do these in your first month Call toll-free 1-888-655-1825 of reentry. Young men in prison do not have to register Take control of your finances.

9 While they are committed. However, they n must register within 30 days after being To qualify for certain benefits, you will need released if they have not yet reached their to understand your current debts, bills, and 26th birthday. other payments. Having a bank account and using free tools can help you manage this. n Get proof of your GED / high school See the Managing Your Money . 2 3 section on 1 DEF. completion page 11. ABC. 65. 4 JKL. MNO. GHI. If you earned your high school diploma Connect with assistance programs 9. and before you were in prison, you can get a n 7. PQRS. 8V. TU. WXYZ. COMMUNITY organizations 0 that # can help. copy from the Department of Education for * ABC. the state where you attended high school. Once you understand your finances, apply for Contact information can be found at: benefit programs that can help you get food GED and other necessities.

10 COMMUNITY organiza- certificates can be requested from the state's tions are also ready to help. See the Getting GED Administrator where you took the Support section on page 15. test: Don't forget to take care of yourself! ged-testing-administrator. n You have a lot going on, but making sure to stay healthy and keeping on track with any medications or appointments will help you complete all the other things you need to do. See the Taking Care of Your Physical and Mental Health section on page 21. 8 9. n Continue your education. MANAGING YOUR MONEY. There are many ways to build your skills and qualify for better jobs. See the Building Your Setting Up a Bank Account Skills section on page 25. Having a bank account with a debit card will really n Begin your job search.