Opened in October, the center, managed by grant sub-recipient Second Chance, started enrolling participants, with the goal of offering trauma-informed reentry services to 400 women pre-release and to 100 of those 400 post-release.

Enrollment of voluntary participants is based on three criteria. The individual must:

• be a resident of the facility
• be within 180 days of release
• have not been convicted of a sexual offense other than prostitution

Though the goals are similar for both men and women exiting prison, there are many unique challenges to serving incarcerated women. The number of women being incarcerated has grown at nearly twice the rate of men since 1985. As 80 percent of the female ex-offenders return home to care for children, the career center staff will not only focus on employment skills but also connecting program participants to childcare and other support services prior to release to help remove as many barriers to employment as possible.

Another unique challenge is a higher prevalence of abuse and trauma, with 77–98 percent of women reporting domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse. In two focus groups held with inmates, it was discovered that one of their primary concerns is making sure to not return to abusive relationships. To address this and offer trauma-informed services, the Sheriff’s Department has contracted with Dr. Stephanie Covington from the Center for Gender and Justice to provide all staff at Las Colinas training and resources to develop gender-responsive and trauma-informed reentry services.

To read more of the San Diego Workforce Partnership's news article, please click here.