OIC presents four-county reentry council plan to Bertie County commissioners

Greg Singleton, dean of academic programs at OIC of Rocky Mount, told the board the organization is serving as the intermediary agency for a new four-county Local Reentry Council that will cover Hertford, Bertie, Gates and Chowan.

“It is seed money,” Singleton said, describing the RFP award as $225,000 for the four-county program and saying the budget includes two full‑time positions, each budgeted up to $48,000 plus benefits. He said OIC will act as the fiscal agent and contract holder with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and that local offices and individualized intake will drive referrals and case management.

Singleton outlined the council’s focus areas — housing, transportation, employment, mental health and substance-use treatment — and said the positions were posted on 02/15/2025 with a hiring target in early March. He said the council will coordinate probation and parole contacts and work with local workforce boards and community colleges to place returning citizens into jobs.

Commissioners and attendees asked about partners and housing resources. Singleton said the initiative is building local advisory committees, will place offices within the region and will coordinate with the Mideast Commission and NC Commerce workforce programs where appropriate. He described the award as a one‑year state reimbursement grant that the state may continue based on performance and results.

The presentation closed with a request that county staff help share postings and participate in planned town‑hall outreach so the program can begin case management and community engagement once hires are made.