Central Iowa Works – CIRCA

CIRCA is a program operated by Central Iowa Works to assist formerly incarcerated individuals during the reintegration process. The purpose of the project is to reduce the rate of recidivism by lowering the number of justice involved individuals who reoffend to less than 20 percent, compared with the national average reincarceration rate of 35 percent. The CIRCA program has proven effective in helping individuals successfully reintegrate, with just over 5 percent of those in the CIRCA program reentering the justice system during the follow-up year. The locations that the organizations serve include: Iowa Correctional Facility for Women in Mitchellville; Newton Correctional Facility; Fresh Start Women's Center; Fort Des Moines Community Correction Center. Staff with CIRCA will assist individuals through targeted support in securing employment with a focus on connecting individuals with workforce opportunities in construction, retail and food service, transportation distribution and logistics, and health care. They also help participants access education and training opportunities available in the community and complete personal development programming.