More than 100 reentry service providers gathered for the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative’s latest convening, which explored how childhood trauma and exposure to community violence impact reentry outcomes. The keynote speaker, Dr. Yehudah Pryce, brings a restorative justice perspective informed by his professional and personal experiences with long-term incarceration and reentry.

This transformative gathering, aimed at decreasing recidivism and enhancing health outcomes for the reentry population, provides a unique opportunity for organizations, community leaders, and healthcare providers to come together in a shared commitment to supporting the journey of reentry.

Incarceration in California is a public health crisis

The wellbeing of system-impacted populations presents an enormous challenge and addressing this need is a necessary facet in improving the overall public health conditions of Los Angeles. California, and Los Angeles in particular, is home to very large populations of system-impacted people and the health and wellness needs of individuals involved in the reentry process are critically important. Cycles of incarceration, reentry and recidivism are complicated and multidimensional. Addressing this complex need calls for the mobilization of a strong, interwoven network of providers, resources and solutions. Our ACH seeks to engage the emergent collective wisdom of a diverse,  interconnected, multi-sector collaboration to respond to this profound challenge. 

The LA Reentry Collaborative ACH operates in an interdisciplinary manner, weaving together organizations from several sectors, including but not limited to healthcare organizations and hospitals, community based organizations, case management services, peer therapy providers, residential facilities and homeless shelters.

Members of the LA Reentry Collaborative ACH provide a range of critical services to those individuals on the journey of reentry and reintegration, including prison in-reach services, warm handoff support, professional training, counseling services, housing, educational opportunities, tattoo removal, case management and linkages to providers throughout the reentry process.

The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative is a multi-sector network of organizations and community leaders working together to decrease recidivism and improve health outcomes amongst the reentry population while supporting and resourcing providers who serve this community.

Adverse childhood experiences and their impact

While identifying adverse childhood experiences and their impact on community violence, the Collaborative worked through approaches that foster resilience and healing within reentry communities in council practice. This problem-solving technique and community-building exercise was deployed during breakout groups after the keynote address. Sharing stories from the heart and nonjudgmental listening is the cornerstone of council practice, during which all participants pass a talking stick while sitting in a circle.

Feedback from Collaborative participants was positive and provided insight on this memorable experience:

• “The breakout rooms were really interesting and insightful”
• “Council is extremely important to me”
• “Everything was great”
• “Thank you for this opportunity!”
• “Love you all and what you do”
• “Appreciate getting a better understanding on how important it is to help incarcerated people reenter”
• “The information provided about the DHCS Justice-Involved Initiative was extremely useful”

The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative convenes for it’s latest in-person networking event

Want to learn more?

Find out about our dedicated reentry program here.

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