RETURN (Jefferson Parish & St. Tammany Parish)

RETURN (Jefferson Parish & St. Tammany Parish) is sponsored by United Way of Southeast Louisiana. United Way of Southeast Louisiana's RETURN program operates as a regional reentry initiative in Jefferson and St.

Tammany Parishes.

RETURN - United Way of Southeast Louisiana Restoration and Empowerment Through United Reentry Network Restoration and Empowerment Through United Reentry Network When individuals return from prison, their likelihood of contributing positively to their community relies on their ability to secure meaningful employment, find a place to live, and have the education and resources necessary to advance in life.

A task increasingly challenging in Louisiana. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative aims to ensure that every individual released back into Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes will have a chance of securing a job that pays a livable wage, staying out of prison, and living longer, healthier lives.

That translates into safer, healthier, and more vibrant communities for everyone.

State ranking for imprisonment rate of individuals released from prison will return within one year of formerly incarcerated individuals are still jobless up to a year after release We’re on a mission to enhance public safety and reduce costs by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed for each offender – delivered through state and local collaboration – from the time of their incarceration through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.

The successful execution of the model involves three phases through the life of a prisoner’s sentence: The Institutional Phase – Assessment & Prison Programming The Transitional Phase – Release Preparation and Collaborative Case Planning The Community Phase – Treatment & Supervision Plan Reentry Success: Raymond’s Story Raymond had just finished serving four years in prison when he entered United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative.

With no family nearby, no home, and no identification, his future seemed uncertain. The program provided housing, clothing, food, and access to essential items like an ID, a phone, and internet access. With those basics in place, Raymond was able to secure medical care, clear old legal issues, and begin working.

Over time, he advanced at his job, learned to manage his own rent and responsibilities, and successfully completed parole. Along the way, he also gained the tools to build healthier relationships and overcome setbacks. Today, Raymond is thriving and rebuilding his life one step at a time, proof that stability and opportunity can transform even the toughest beginnings.

Reentry Success: Eric’s Story After nearly two decades cycling in and out of jail, Eric wanted something different. But starting over wasn’t easy. He carried a long arrest record, unpaid child support, and mental health needs, all while trying to rebuild his life with little financial support.

Through United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative, Eric received access to the basic things he needs to get started, like a phone, clothing, SNAP benefits, and rental assistance. He was also connected to job skills training, legal help, and mental health care. Step by step, Eric created stability.

He secured a full-time job, earned a raise and promotion, and completed his parole term. Even when tested by challenges like Hurricane Ida, he leaned on his progress rather than slipping back into old habits. Today, Eric is proud of his independence, motivated by his success, and determined to keep moving forward.

In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s RETURN operates as the regional reentry program in Jefferson Parish in conjunction with local officials. In the fall of 2021, the RETURN (formerly know as LA-PRI) initiative in Jefferson Parish received a grant from the Department of Justice to engage in a comprehensive community reentry planning process.

The process is undertaken to collaboratively create the Comprehensive Community Reentry Plan for Jefferson Parish. “Case management is definitely what is done best. There’s a really good level of communication and collaboration among service providers, all with the goal of supporting clients.

” participants did not recidivate during their time enrolled in the initiative Jefferson Parish LA-PRI provided 3,657 services to 152 participants between March 1, 2024, and February 29, 2025. The services most often provided to participants were direct assistance, case management, and collaboration of care. Serves as a model and a framework to help improve public safety.

Life can be difficult. It can always present you with certain circumstances that are challenging to navigate, so imagine if on top of that you have a record and you’ve been released from prison… Jefferson Parish Community Action Programs Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of New Orleans Louisiana Public Health Institute Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Stuart H.

Smith Law Clinic and Center For Social Justice Southeast Louisiana Legal Services U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Assistance Probation and Parole Reentry Program Manager – Jefferson Parish Probation and Parole Jefferson Parish Community Coordinator In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s RETURN operates as the regional reentry program in St. Tammany Parish in conjunction with local officials.

United Way and partners began serving St. Tammany Parish in 2021-2022. of participants of clients who completed the program did not recidivate, the highest percentage since the initiative’s work in St.

Tammany Parish of participants secured permanent employment From December 2023 through November 2024, LA-PRI provided 1,792 services to 50 participants in St. Tammany Parish. The services most often provided to participants were direct assistance, case management, and collaboration of care.

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans St. Tammany Probation and Parole Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Louisiana Public Health Institute Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center For Social Justice St.

Tammany Probation & Parole, Re-Entry Program Manager, Probation and Parole St. Tammany Parish Community Coordinator Intermediary Organization Representative and Chief Impact Officer United Way of Southeast Louisiana Vice President of Social Justice Initiatives United Way of Southeast Louisiana TwandaL@UnitedWaySELA. org United Way of Southeast Louisiana Your community needs you.

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The successful execution of the LA-PRI model involves three phases through the life of a prisoner’s sentence: The Institutional Phase Assessment & Prison Programming The Transitional Phase Release Preparation and Collaborative Case Planning The Community Phase Treatment & Supervision Plan A Change of Heart: Mike’s Story At the beginning of Mike Phelps’s 23-year law enforcement career, he saw the men and women in prison as people who deserved to be there.

He saw them as the problem. Yet after seeing those he put in prison recidivate, he started to dig deeper into the issue and understand the barriers that send individuals back to prison time and again. Today, he sees things differently; “I look at the justice-involved as people with problems who need help, and I believe our job is to help those we can,” he says…..

Campaign Email: letsgo@helenamorenola. com @HelenamorenoHQ | @helenamorenola Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education? If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1. 5M in city funds for additional seats.

As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor.

As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment: If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this. Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people.

I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change.

More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this. Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected.

Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair.

The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs.

Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school.

This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work. Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments? How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them.

If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.

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