FAMILY LIFE CENTER (RI)

Program Description
The Family Life Center (FLC) is a nonprofit one-stop social service center providing services to individuals who were formerly incarcerated who return to four core ZIP Codes in Providence, Rhode Island. The Center calls on local residents to serve as community living consultants (CLCs) to work with the offender and his/her family members before s/he is released from prison to develop a transition plan. The transition plan takes into account the services received while in prison and identifies services that will be needed upon release to the community. CLCs serve as an immediate connection back to the community and assist returning prisoners in accessing community-based resources by providing referrals to partner agencies (faith-based organizations and housing, employment, and substance abuse agencies). The same CLC agent also meets with the client on the day s/he is released from prison and continues to work with him/her and the family members for up to one year after release.

Program Goals
The Family Life Center 's goals are to stabilize former prisoners returning to the community so that they are less likely to recidivate; to strengthen and reunify families; and to enhance public safety.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
The Board of Directors is made up of more than thirty members, representing a variety of state officials, community leaders, community-based agencies, service agencies, and residents.

Outcomes
The Family Life Center currently serves about 85 clients. FLC plans to conduct an evaluation of the impact of its services on recidivism as well as other program-specific measures.

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