In 2021, the Washington Legislature took action through a budget proviso to fund the Reentry Grant Program for the state fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2023. In the proviso, the Legislature directed the Department of Commerce (Commerce) “to administer a competitive grant program for grants to community-based programs to provide reentry services for formerly incarcerated persons and supports to facilitate successful transitions to the community.” See ESSB 5092- sec. 129(123), p. 73. Commerce’s priority is to see that the funds are distributed equitably while ensuring good stewardship of those valuable resources.

After going through a competitive procurement process, ten organizations from across the state were selected to receive funds under the Reentry Grant Program through contracts with Commerce. Among other things, grant awards under this program may be used for housing, case management and navigators, employment services, family reunification, and legal services to respond to collateral impacts on reentry.

At least 30 percent of the funding for the Reentry Grant Program is designated for programs delivering services in Washington’s rural counties. The collective service area for the projects funded under the first round of grants includes 24 out of the 39 Washington counties.

The first round of contracts under the Reentry Grant Program expired on June 30, 2022, although there is funding for the grant program through June 30, 2023. In the spring of 2022, Commerce issued another Request for Proposals to fund reentry services in the next fiscal year (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023). These new grants support a number of reentry organizations throughout Washington state.

Commerce is working in collaboration with the statewide Reentry Council to administer the Reentry Grant Program.

In the absence of further legislative action, the Reentry Grant Program will expire on June 30, 2023.