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Better Futures seeks workforce funding for justice‑involved participants; committee hears recidivism and placement data request
Summary
Better Futures asked the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee for $850,000 in FY2026 and $850,000 in FY2027 to expand workforce training and reentry supports for justice‑involved men.
Senate File 18‑08, sponsored by Senator Mohammed and heard March 3, requests $850,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $850,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support Better Futures Minnesota, which provides transitional employment, training, housing and behavioral‑health supports to justice‑involved men.
Jason Allen, representing Better Futures, described the program population as individuals with an average of three felony convictions and about 12 years of incarceration, many of whom are chronically homeless and have limited work histories. He said the program provides 12 trainings, certification opportunities, on‑the‑job training and placement services; internal data shows a 7.1 percent recidivism rate for participants who have been in Better Futures a year and a day.
Tino Jones, a program graduate who testified, described his progress from participant to crew chief in training, assistant sales manager and then business manager of a warehouse and, most recently, integrated care manager. Jones said program structure, mentoring and paid work were critical to his reentry and family stability.
Fiscal staff told committee members Better Futures previously received $600,000 from the workforce development fund for FY2022–23 and $850,000 from the General Fund in FY2024–25; this bill requests workforce fund support and does not specify one‑time language, so staff said the amounts were assumed ongoing.
Committee members asked for enrollment, completion and placement metrics for 2024 and clarification of disruptions that lowered enrollment. Better Futures said COVID outbreaks and facility shutdowns had reduced recruitment opportunities in 2024, and the organization offered to provide detailed annual reports to the committee. Senate File 18‑08 was laid on the table for possible inclusion.
