The Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program is part of ETA’s Office of Workforce Investment (OWI). REO provides discretionary grants to various types of entities across the nation, including state government agencies, Indian/Native American tribal organizations, local governments, nonprofits, workforce boards, and more. REO grants aim to improve the workforce outcomes of youth and young adults who have been involved in the criminal justice system or are at risk of such involvement. REO also funds programs that help adults who are currently incarcerated and formerly incarcerated with the transition back into their communities and their efforts to reenter the workforce.
Core services include case management, occupational skills training leading to industry recognized credentials, employment, work experience, tutoring, mentoring, high school diploma equivalency preparation, credit retrieval, restorative justice opportunities, summer jobs linked to academic and occupational learning, leadership development, utilizing non-profit legal services providers to mitigate juvenile and criminal records, diversion from adjudication, and follow-up. Projects also promote collaboration and coordination between community-based organizations, foundations, state and local justice agencies, school districts, and the public workforce system.