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Reentry coalition asks Ross County commissioners for continued funding of reentry and "Skip" caregiver program
Summary
The Ross County Reentry Coalition presented evidence-based outcomes and requested continued county support (speaker said last year they received $40,000 and they planned to request $50,000). Commissioners asked for written goals, outcomes, and a return of supporting documentation before considering funding.
A representative of the Ross County Reentry Coalition (identified in the transcript as Speaker 8) urged the commissioners to continue funding the coalition’s reentry services and the related "Skip" program that supports children of incarcerated parents. The speaker said the program helped roughly 70 adults and supported about 30 children this year, with about 23 children active in the program at present.
Speaker 8 framed the coalition’s approach around six social determinants of reentry success — employment, housing, education, vocational skills, family/social support and basic-needs stability — and said preventing recidivism produces measurable savings. "For every $1 invested in reentry support, communities save $5 to $7," Speaker 8 said, citing national analyses and a local return-on-investment calculation the coalition offered to provide.
During follow-up, commissioners asked how much the coalition received last year; Speaker 7 said the coalition received $40,000. Speaker 1 and others pressed for a written statement of goals and objectives and a report of what the coalition accomplished in Ross County; Speaker 8 agreed to email the strategic plan, an ROI report and supporting receipts and data. The coalition representative also offered to coordinate referrals and to connect the county’s child-protection agencies and other service providers to avoid duplication and strengthen prevention efforts.
No formal funding decision was made on the spot; commissioners directed staff to review the materials once submitted and consider the coalition’s request as part of upcoming budget discussions.
Speakers and witnesses: the transcript identifies the presenter only by speaker number and as representing the Ross County Reentry Coalition. Commissioners asked for specificity about what county funds would buy (examples given included program casework, first-month rent assistance rather than security deposits, transportation and basic needs support) before any appropriation would be considered.
