By DAPO staff
The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), Northern Region Adult Program Unit (APU) and the Parole Districts have been busy with reentry activities. Recent notable events occurred in the Central, Capitol and West Bay Parole Districts to provide Gender Responsive services, as well as strength based resources for those reentering communities.
Females Achieving Change Together (FACT)
In collaboration with the Parole Districts, APU orchestrated FACT events in Fresno, Sacramento and San Francisco. FACT events are collaborations between DAPO and community partners geared to empower women by addressing the unique experiences encountered upon reentry, and responding by implementing promising and best practices that promote gender responsive rehabilitation efforts.
Cooperation with community stakeholders and resource providers for targeted programming is essential for the successful reintegration of parolees into our communities.
This whole-person approach encompasses community resource providers, social service agencies, local law enforcement agencies, and supportive networks in an effort to facilitate direct access points for engaging in reentry resources and services specific to identified criminogenic needs.
Fresno
The late August Fresno FACT event was hosted by APU staff at the DAPO Fresno Parole Complex in the Central Parole District.
There were 32 female parolee participants, 22 community resource providers, dignitaries, guests, and Central District parole field staff.
A highlight for this year’s event was a seminar presentation by the American Job Centers of California, Fresno Workforce Connection.
The women in attendance learned about how to prepare for the workforce, including the importance of professional attire, presenting a professional resume, and how to prepare for an interview.
Sacramento
On Sept. 25, the Sacramento FACT event was hosted by APU staff at the Bayside Church in Midtown, a longtime community partner and advocate for adult reentry efforts.
This event welcomed more than sixty female parolee participants, thirty-eight community resource providers, dignitaries, guests, and the Capitol District parole field staff.
A special highlight for this year’s event was a showcase of women’s professional attire donated by Dress for Success in Sacramento.
A select group of women parolees were gifted “business women makeovers,” including hair and makeup styling, and business attire clothing which they modeled for all of the women in attendance.
San Francisco
On Oct. 23, the San Francisco FACT event was hosted by APU staff at the Southeast Community Facility. This event welcomed sixty-three DAPO parolee participants, fifty-three community resource providers, dignitaries, guests, and the West Bay District parole field staff. The special highlight from Sacramento was replicated in San Francisco, as select parolees received the “business women makeovers” and showcased women’s professional attire donated by Dress for Success, San Francisco.
FACT is expanding
In an ongoing effort to support the women returning to communities, the Northern Region FACT expansion is underway to provide services in Oakland, East Bay Parole District, as well as Bakersfield, Southern Parole District, in the early months of 2020. The ongoing collaborations between DAPO and community partners and resource providers for targeted programming is paramount for successful reintegration of those returning to our communities.