Virginia CARES (Community Action Re-Entry System) is a heralded, statewide network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) formed to address the successful reentry and de-institutionalization of incarcerated people in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The agency presently operates pre-release programs in 15 prisons and 11 regional and local jails, as well as post-release programs in 43 Virginia localities, which receive the largest numbers of parolees. Virginia CARES works to reduce recidivism and to provide education, job training and other support services to released individuals, an important part of the last three Governors’ enhanced emphasis on re-entry initiatives.  In order to improve public safety outcomes Virginia CARES, in partnership with the other PAPIS providers and DCJS, has worked hard over the past several years to implement evidence-based practices. They work on building resource banks of landlords and employers willing to house and employ Virginia’s returning citizens. They collaborate with their local health care providers, probation and parole offices, law enforcement agencies, courts, educational facilities, places of worship and other local non-profits to provide a safety net of services to assist their program participants.
