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Reentry Navigation Services


About

Reentry Navigators: Guiding Successful Transitions

The Reentry Systems Unit within the Reentry Division directly supports the department’s mission and strategic plan by directly supporting the Governor’s Executive Order 24-03, "Building Safe and Strong Communities Through Successful Reentry"(pdf). Washington’s commitment to Reentry 2030, and in accordance with RCW 72.09.270 Individual Reentry Plan, concerning Individual Reentry Plans.

The Reentry Navigator team consists of 25 committed staff who provide services statewide. This includes two Cultural Specialist Navigators who work with releasing Veteran and Native American/Alaskan Native populations.

The Reentry Navigators for the Reentry Division work closely with various navigators throughout the state including college/education navigators, workforce navigators, health services navigators (psychiatric social workers and medication-assisted treatment navigators), housing specialists, and community partners. In addition, the Reentry Navigators receive requests for assistance from classification counselors, various community stakeholders, and DOC leadership to support individuals in their reentry planning efforts.

Primary services include assisting individuals in identifying strengths by completing their Individual Reentry Plan, essential needs planning to prepare for their transition to the community, and resource navigation. Additionally, services include helping transitioning individuals and corrections staff to navigate through numerous supportive services being offered and addressing potential barriers to transition.

The primary focus of Reentry Navigators is connecting individuals to essential needs and support services, which may include food, clothing, phones, healthcare, wellness, and supportive housing with pathways to permanent housing, identification, education, vocational training, job search assistance, financial benefits, and support. In addition to these services, Navigators collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to create a more efficient handoff process to ensure a smooth transition to community-based providers. They also follow up with individuals in the community to assess their progress toward meeting their goals, identify barriers, and address those challenges.

Reentry Planning Guidance:


  • Guidance During Reentry Planning: support individuals in completing their Individual Reentry Plan, Release/Transfer Needs Survey, provide a Reentry Team Meeting, or pre-release Reentry Workshop.
  • Mentorship: community reunification, provide guidance on accessing and establishing services from DSHS, SSI, WorkSource, medical needs, and other resources utilizing local resource knowledge and referral process.
  • In-person Navigation Services: establishing a bank account, job search assistance, transportation support, setting up phones, basic digital literacy, and community skill building.
  • Essential Needs: limited financial support for food, clothing, and housing needs.

Testimonials

“My Reentry Navigator helped me get my associates degree, which I had been trying to get for almost two years. She also helped me get clothing for work, and overall, great experience! Thankful she helped me!” — Davonne

“When I was in prison in Shelton, I got hooked up with a Reentry Navigator. I got all of the paperwork done. They were a really big help. They helped me with credit building stuff, clothes, and all sorts of resources in the community and that was really helpful” — Joey

“Getting out almost a decade later, I was lost on how a lot of things worked. How to complete my hair design exams and obtain my hair design license. I wanted to get my Driver’s license and get back to normal. Even more so the Reentry Navigator gave me the hope that everything I set out to do could be achieved. My Navigator came in and helped me with my new start.” — Mary

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Integrated Reentry Model

The department utilizes an integrated reentry model that focuses on individual needs, collaborates across divisions, and leverages connections to state, local, and community-based resources to assist with transition and help individuals in the community.

This model includes three phases:

Facility Phase begins at reception with continuous case planning, orientation, evidence-based programs and treatment, education, and employment readiness as identified in the Washington State risk assessment tool which assesses the individual’s criminogenic risks and programmatic needs. In addition, the Individual Reentry Plan guides the individual through setting individualized SMART goals to prepare for their reentry based on the goals they identify.

Transition Phase begins at the time the individual is approaching transfer to partial confinement or release to the community. The transition phase includes updating the Individual Reentry Plan, essential needs planning, health and wellness transition, short-term housing assistance, community navigator connection, continuity of care transition planning, identification, and connections to resources.

Community Phase begins at the time the individual is stable in the community and includes pro-social supports, long- term housing, health and wellness, financial stability, long-term employment, and educational pathways.

Reentry Continum Model
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Statutory Authority/Legislative Information

Executive Order 2403 – Building Safe and Strong Communities through Successful Reentry (pdf)

  • RCW 72.09.270 – Individual Reentry Plan
  • Intent—2007 c 483: Individual reentry plans are intended to be a tool for the department of corrections to identify the needs of citizens returning to our communities after incarceration. Individual reentry plans are meant to assist the department in targeting programming and services to individuals with the greatest need and to the extent that those services are funded and available. The state cannot meet every need that may have contributed to every individual's criminal proclivity. Further, an individual reentry plan, and the programming resulting from that plan, are not a guarantee that an individual will not recidivate. Rather, the legislature intends that by identifying individual needs and offering programs that have been proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offense, the state will benefit by an overall reduction in recidivism. [ 2007 c 483 s 201.
    Findings—2007 c 483: See RCW 72.78.005.
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Resources

Forms

Below are DOC forms that apply to Reentry Navigator Unit.

Laws & Regulations

Below are State Laws (RCWs) and regulations (WACs) that apply to the Reentry Navigators Services.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Publications

Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) publications that apply to the Reentry Navigator Unit.

Resource Links

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