A New Start
A New Start
A RE-ENTRY GUIDE FOR TEXAS KEY INFORMATION FOR SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION
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TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COALITION
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) is committed to identifying and advancing real solutions to the problems facing Texas' juvenile and criminal justice systems. We provide policy research and analysis, form effective partnerships, and educate key stakeholders to promote effective management, accountability, and best practices that increase public safety and preserve human and civil rights.
For more information, please contact:
Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
Ana Y??ez-Correa
Executive Director
510 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 104
Austin, Texas 78704
Tel: (512) 441-8123, ext. 109
Fax: (512) 441-4884
Email: acorrea@
Summer 2010 Edition
This guide was written by Erica Surprenant, Special Projects Director, edited by Molly Totman, J.D. and Leah Pinney, and designed by Kim Wilks.
We are grateful to the many people who invested their time and effort in researching resources for this guide. We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the following individuals for their assistance and feedback: Athan Bernal, Alison Brock, Tram Dinh, Daniele Gillund, Tiffany LaCour, Dyana Limon-Mercado, Tiffany Nguyen, Jorge Antonio Renaud, Joy Rocha, and Dee Wilson. We would also like to thank the members of the House Committee on Corrections for their support.
? 2010 Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of the material herein must credit the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. An electronic version of "A New Start" is available free of charge
from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition at .
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DISCLAIMER
The resources and information contained in this guide are primarily intended for people re-entering society following a period of incarceration. The information is not inclusive and should be viewed as a starting point for engaging with community groups. Please also note that inclusion in this guide does not imply our endorsement of an organization or of particular religions (in the case of ministry-based programs). The resources contained in this guide were current as of the start of 2010. While we have tried our best to only list groups, organizations, and businesses that are current and valid, we cannot guarantee that all of the resources included here will be current by the time you read it. Due to the nature of community- aid organizations and the funding streams available to keep them open, some of the resources within this guide may be out of date by the time you reference it. As a precaution, please contact each organization directly before relying on its services or assistance. You should also check for the most recent edition of this guide and updates on our website,
tools_for_re_entry/reentryguide.
If you feel we have missed an important resource, or if you have additional resources or updates you would like to add to future editions of this guide, please fill out the feedback form at the end of this guide and mail it back to us. You may also submit feedback through our website at
tools_for_re_entry/reentryguide.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guide is not intended to be the only information that people will need or use once they are released from prison or jail. In fact, it should be used as a starting point to begin a successful re-entry experience back into the community. Each chapter covers a general subject area associated with re-entry. Please use the resources at the end of each chapter to continue researching specific topics.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE: GETTING STARTED ........................................................................................... 1
Chapter 1 ? The Prison Experience and Preparing for Your Release .................................... 3
Reform Your Habits Before Release ................................................................................................. 4
Practical Plans and Goals.................................................................................................................. 5
Connecting With Family ................................................................................................................... 6
After You're Out ............................................................................................................................... 6
Asking For and Accepting Help......................................................................................................... 7
Housing............................................................................................................................................. 9
Working With Your Community Supervision Officer........................................................................ 10
Chapter 2 ? Getting Out...................................................................................................... 11
2009 State Legislative Session Updates ? New Laws ....................................................................... 11
H.B. 93 ? Receiving "Good Time"............................................................................................... 11
H.B. 498 ? Investigating Wrongful Convictions.......................................................................... 11
H.B. 3649 ? Receiving Books in Prison ....................................................................................... 12
H.B. 963 ? Occupational Licensing Opportunities ..................................................................... 12
H.B. 1711 ? Statewide Re-Entry Task Force ............................................................................... 12
H.B. 2161 ? Personal Identification Card ................................................................................... 12
Obtaining Identification Documents in Texas .................................................................................. 12
Social Security Cards .................................................................................................................. 13
Birth Certificate ......................................................................................................................... 13
State Identification Card ........................................................................................................... 13
Voter Registration Card ............................................................................................................. 14
Child Support .................................................................................................................................... 14
Money Management........................................................................................................................ 16
Transportation.................................................................................................................................. 17
PART TWO: COMMUNITY RESOURCES ............................................................................... 21
Chapter 3 ? Community Organizations .............................................................................. 25
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 25
Central Texas Resources................................................................................................................... 26
Northeast and East Texas Resources................................................................................................ 44
South and Southeast Texas Resources ............................................................................................. 55
West Texas Resources ...................................................................................................................... 63
High Plains Resources....................................................................................................................... 71
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Chapter 4 ? Housing .......................................................................................................... 89
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 89
Using This Chapter............................................................................................................................ 89
The Housing Assistance Program............................................................................................... 90
A Note About Public Housing..................................................................................................... 90
Central Texas Resources................................................................................................................... 92
Northeast and East Texas Resources................................................................................................ 110
South and Southeast Texas Resources ............................................................................................. 118
West Texas Resources ...................................................................................................................... 128
High Plains Resources....................................................................................................................... 129
Chapter 5 ? Community Health Support ............................................................................ 131
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 131
Using This Chapter............................................................................................................................ 132
Central Texas MHMR Centers .......................................................................................................... 134
Northeast and East Texas MHMR Centers ....................................................................................... 135
South and Southeast Texas MHMR Centers..................................................................................... 135
West Texas MHMR Centers.............................................................................................................. 136
High Plains MHMR Centers .............................................................................................................. 136
Central Texas Resources................................................................................................................... 137
Northeast and East Texas Resources................................................................................................ 143
South and Southeast Texas Resources ............................................................................................. 157
West Texas Resources ...................................................................................................................... 162
High Plains Resources....................................................................................................................... 163
Chapter 6 ? Employment ................................................................................................... 167
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 167
The Right Against Discrimination in the Workplace......................................................................... 167
Workforce Development for the Disabled ....................................................................................... 168
Getting A Job .................................................................................................................................... 169
The Job Search .......................................................................................................................... 169
Applying for the Job .................................................................................................................. 179
Chapter 7 ? Benefits and Assistance .................................................................................. 181
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 181
Getting Started ................................................................................................................................ 181
Call 2-1-1 ................................................................................................................................... 181
Visit a Health and Human Services Commission Benefits Office .............................................. 182
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State and Federal Benefits and Assistance ...................................................................................... 182
Social Security ............................................................................................................................ 182
SNAP and TANF .......................................................................................................................... 183
Texas Department of Assistance and Rehabilitation Services ................................................... 183
Information for Veterans ........................................................................................................... 184
Central Texas Resources................................................................................................................... 186
Northeast and East Texas Resources................................................................................................ 186
South and Southeast Texas Resources ............................................................................................. 187
West Texas Resources ...................................................................................................................... 187
High Plains Resources....................................................................................................................... 187
Chapter 8 ? Education ........................................................................................................ 189
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 189
Getting a GED ................................................................................................................................... 189
Financial Aid ..................................................................................................................................... 190
Free Application for Federal Student Aid .................................................................................. 190
Pell Grants ................................................................................................................................. 190
Central Texas Resources .................................................................................................................. 191
Northeast and East Texas Resources................................................................................................ 193
South and Southeast Texas Resources ............................................................................................. 194
High Plains Resources....................................................................................................................... 196
West Texas Resources ...................................................................................................................... 196
Chapter 9 ? Getting Involved ............................................................................................. 197
Voting Information ........................................................................................................................... 197
About The Voter Registration Card ........................................................................................... 197
Reaching Out to Public Officials ................................................................................................ 197
Communities/Support Groups of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals .............................................. 200
Giving Back to the Community ......................................................................................................... 200
FEEDBACK .......................................................................................................................... 201
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