Re-entry program receives funding from city council
Facility to be located on Barton Lane
The Forrest City City Council agreed to pay $200,000 in seed funding to support a program aimed at helping those who have been incarcerated transition back into the community.
The funds are being paid through money the city received through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The city requested proposals for the program to be established, and received two. One was submitted by AR&R Transitional Living and the other by Linda Clark.
The board of directors for AR&R include Roy Hamilton, Leta Anthony, Annie Norman, Miles, Kimble, James F. Valley, Nate Thomas, Allen Calvert and Kitrell Wynne.
Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams told the council that initially council members Louise Fields and Justin Reeves were named as being on the board, but said that is not correct.
Williams explained the council members had been a part of an initial advisory board but were not actual board members. Williams also said that of the two proposals received, AR&R is more qualified.
The company plans to operate the program out of the former child support/juvenile intake office at 248 Barton Lane, just off Lindauer.
Several council members voiced concerns regarding AR&R such as not having enough time to review the packet from the group and if there would be potential problems with AR&R CEO Roy Hamilton also being a full-time city employee.
Councilman Marvin Metcalf said he wanted more information to be able to make the best choice so when he was questioned by residents in his ward he would had answers.
"I am with you on this," said Metcalf, who shared his own story of having re-entered society after making a poor choice after returning from Vietnam. "But again, I just want more time to look at this to make sure we are making the right connections."
City Attorney Marshall Wright said if the council chose to approve the seed money for the program, he would draft an ordinance similar to what the city had done before, stating the council was aware of Hamilton's employment with the city and the transitional group when the seed funding was approved.
Council members also asked if there is a need in this area for such services, how the program worked, how many people would be serviced, if the group had received other funding for the organization, where funding for operations for the program would come from and how they would get the word out to those who needed the services.
Hamilton said that currently, most of the funding is coming from his own pockets in helping individuals find lodging and to help with other needs.
Anthony told the council that the area would benefit from such a program because those reentering society usually had to have certain support to become productive members of a community.
"Some of these people need help writing a resume, learning how to go to an interview and even how to work an eight-hour job," said Anthony. "All some of these people have known is the hustle, so we have to teach them
(Continued from Page 1) the skills they need to live a productive life."
The group introduced the council to Shaneka Jones of Little Rock, who had been through a similar transitional program.
Jones said she had watched women get out of prison and promptly return. "I asked the women who kept coming back why, and they told me because it was hard,” she said.
Jones said she began journaling in prison about the feedback she received from women returning to prison and ideas on how to help her not return once she left.
She told the group that due to programs such as the on Anthony operates in Little Rock and the city's "second chance city" status she was able to not only secure a job with the city but also able to help those exiting the prison system.
"Mrs. Jones is being very modest about her success," said Anthony, who said Jones had made huge strides in little under a year for the program in Little Rock. "She gave the city program in Little Rock a second life."
Rickey Foreman also shared his experience with transitional programs as a federal prison employee and as a father of a child who had made a poor choice.
"He was in a car with friends and when they got stopped the friends had dope and guns on them," said Foreman. "He was charged with possession but not convicted. However, during that time, he had problems finding a job, so I called Mrs. Anthony."
Foreman said he experienced first hand what a powerful motivator hope could be for people in those situations.
"I am just asking you to be open minded to what these folks are trying to do," said Foreman.
Jones and Foreman also told the council that getting the word out about the program is as easy as forming partnerships with local prisons and by word of mouth.
Councilman Chris Oswalt asked if the program is set up to help those who leave the program who may need a bus ticket to get back home.
"Yes we can help with that," said Hamilton.
Anthony said that sometimes it wasn't even a bus ticket but a phone call to reconnect a person to their family.
Council members agreed the service is needed but some still had concerns of reviewing material and the amount of funding being granted from ARP funds.
"I commend Roy on the work he's done and putting together this service," said councilman Lowry Astin. "But, $200,000 is a lot and we have a lot of people hurting right now. I don't agree with the total amount as a seed when we have other people hurting in town."
Anthony said the reason the group requested ARP funds is due to the allowances in the funding that designate crime prevention, under which transition services qualify.
"And, if we are talking about rescuing America, then I think returning citizens do qualify for that," said Anthony.
When put to vote, council members Ronald Williams, Oswalt, Reeves, Fields, Danny Capps voted to approve the funding. Council members Jason Evansingston and Astin voted against it, and Metcalf abstained.
In other business, Wright told the council he had looked into former mayor Larry Bryant's request for a cost-of-living increase in his pension.
"The city clerk has given me the information needed, and I can talk to him about the issues he has now after looking into it," said Wright.
Oswalt asked what information Wright found about the cost-ofliving increases Bryant requested.
"It is at the discretion of the council. That is completely clear," said Wright.
Oswalt asked if the council would have to make it retroactive and if it could be voted on just once or if it had to be voted on every year.
"It has to be voted on every year," said Wright. "It is very clear on what to do or not to do, but the decision is completely up to the council."
The council also agreed to allow the city to seek bids for uniforms for the summer baseball program.
Williams told the council a task force has been formed to develop guidelines for city event halls.
"We have to continue to be vigilant and come together as a community to spread the message of stopping senseless violence and putting down the guns," said Williams, who commended Jeanette Crippen for her work on a stop the violence rally this past weekend at Southside Park.
During his update to the council, Williams also said public works is once again cleaning up debris from recent storms. "We are hoping for a week of good weather to get ahead," he said.
The mayor also told the council that residents who have autistic children may now request a sign from the city to place to post on their streets to remind drivers to use caution.
Oswalt asked Williams about the city's agreement with the county for 911 operations and said he would like to be told before such agreements are made.
"I don't mind partnering, but I'd like to know about it prior to it coming out in the paper," said Oswalt.
Williams said he would put the 911 program on the agenda for the next meeting.
In other business the council paid bills from general account in the amount of $9,040.57; street for $9,450.76; solid waste for $55,994.65 and water for $48,923.54.