Post Incarceration Reentry Resources
72 Hour Checklist
The first 72 hours after release are the most critical for people coming out of custody. Making connections to resources can help with long-term safety, stability, and success. Click here for the 72 Hour Checklist to help navigate this important time.
Keep in mind that your Probation or Parole Officer can provide information about resources and answer questions you may have during this period and beyond.
After release from custody, report to the Parole or Probation office within 24 hours, as ordered by the Court, or as you were previously instructed. If you have questions about whether or not you are under supervision or if you don’t know where to report, it is your responsibility to contact Probation or Parole and confirm your supervision status.
Ventura County Probation Agency
Website: www.venturaprobation.org
East County Supervision Office East County Probation and Post Release: (805) 582-8032 3855 Alamo Street, Bldg. F, Simi Valley, California 93063 |
Oxnard Supervision Office Oxnard Probation and Post Release, Second Floor: (805) 204-5901 Field Services, First Floor: (805) 204-5900 1721 Pacific Ave. Suite #140, Oxnard, CA 93033 |
Ventura Supervision Office Ventura Field Services (805) 662-6900 Ventura Probation and Post Release (805) 662-6901 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, California 93003 |
Juvenile Services (805) 973-5100 1911 Williams Drive, Suite 175, Oxnard, CA 93036 |
Ventura Training Center
(805) 983-1332
2800 Wright Road
Camarillo, CA 93010
You may be ordered by the court to take rehabilitation classes or complete a treatment program. Click here for a list of Probation approved providers.
Tips for Successful Reentry
There are several things to consider to help make the transition from custody to community as smooth as possible.
When creating your reentry plan, it is a good idea to think about and understand the services you will need. 211 can help you get connected to services that can help make your reentry process successful. Click here to print out "Tips for a Successful Reentry into the Community".
Gather important documents such as a birth certificate, a social security card, and a California state identification or driver's license. If you were born outside of Ventura County, click here to find out how to obtain a birth certificate.
Obtaining or replacing some of these documents do have associated fees, but waivers are available.
Housing
Find safe and stable housing. Will you be staying with friends or family? Will you need information on halfway homes, sober living environments, or emergency shelters?
If you are currently without housing and have no plans to stay with friends or family, having your information entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), also called Pathways to Home, is the first step to getting help from many programs providing services related to preventing homelessness. Pathways to Home is a secure database used by many homeless service providers in Ventura County to determine what services you may be eligible for and to coordinate services between programs. Call 2-1-1 to see if you are eligible to be entered into Pathways to Home.
Click on a category below for resources:
Alcohol and Drug Free Housing
Emergency Shelters for Homeless Individuals and Families
Transitional Housing (Temporary Housing)
Homeless Drop In Centers
Food
Find a stable source of food.
If you need food, go to a food pantry or hot meal program.
The CalFresh program may also help you pay for food by giving you an Electronic Benefit (EBT) Card that works like a debit card at most grocery stores and many farmers markets. You may be eligible for Emergency CalFresh benefits, which has a three-day application process. This is also called Expedited CalFresh.
Individuals with prior felony drug convictions that are in compliance with the terms of their parole or probation, or have completed probation or parole, may be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits.
Click on a category below for resources:
Cal-Fresh (Food Stamps)
Groceries
Hot Meal Programs
Find out what benefits you may be eligible for using BENEFIT KITCHEN.
Transportation
Learn about transportation options.
Don't forget to ask your Probation Officer for assistance with bus tokens, they may be able to help.
Click on a category below for resources:
Be sure to take care of any immediate medical needs such as prescription refills, physical exams, dental care, vision care, and HIV, STD, and/or Hepatitis testing and treatment.
Find out what benefits you may be eligible for using BENEFIT KITCHEN.
Click on a category below for resources:
Medi-Cal
Health Insurance Information & Enrollment Assistance
Medicare
Medical Clinics
Medical Information Lines
Tuberculosis Screening
Tattoo Removal
Find a stable source of income.
Seek employment opportunities. Go to a job assistance center or employment program for help writing your resume, interview preparation, and job resources. There are many companies and temp agencies who are willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals.
It is illegal for most public or private employers to ask about an applicant's conviction history until the employer makes a conditional offer of employment. (A conditional offer of employment is a formal job offer that is dependent on the applicant passing certain tests or conditions.)
After the employer makes a conditional offer of employment, the employer can complete a background check on the applicant. If the employer sees a conviction during the background check, they must consider the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and how the offense relates to the job. The employer cannot consider sealed or dismissed arrests and convictions when performing the background check. The employer must communicate their decision to the applicant in writing. The applicant has five days to respond/repeal the decision. Then the employer can make a final decision.
If an employer asks about felony convictions on their job application, do not check the box. It is an illegal question that is no longer allowed under California law (as of January 1, 2018).
If you applied for a job and were asked about felony convictions before a conditional offer of employment, and think you were disqualified from the job based on your felony conviction, contact the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to file a complaint.
Click on a category below for help preparing for and finding a job:
Comprehensive Job Assistance Centers
Employment Preparation
Job Finding Assistance
Click on government assistance programs you may be eligible for:
CalWORKs
General Relief
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have a disability, are blind, or are 65 or older
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a disability
Find out what benefits you may be eligible for using BENEFIT KITCHEN.
Resolve any legal issues or child support issues.
Child support issues can prevent you from obtaining a valid drivers license or cause other barriers to your re-entry.
If you have a child support order, you may be able to apply for a modification from the court to have your child support order reduced to reflect a lack of earnings or low earnings.
You may also be eligible to participate in programs that may help you find a job, reinstate your driver’s license, offer parenting education, or help reduce the amount of child support debt you owe. Legal Aid offices may be able to assist you or offer legal representation in child support cases.
Click on a category below for resources:
General Legal Aid
Child Support Assistance/Enforcement
How to Change a Child Support Order
Record Expungement
Re-entering the community can be a stressful time. Reach out for help if you need it.
Seek support networks to stay on the right path and to remain sober. Visit supportive people like friends, family, and other helpful people; or attend community support meetings, such as AA, NA, or faith community meetings.
Click on a category below for resources:
Alcohol and Drug Dependency Support Groups
Alcohol and Drug Free Housing
General Adult Counseling
Group Counseling
Anger Management
Psychiatric Disorder Counseling
Mental Health Hotlines
Suicide Prevention Hotlines
Mobile Crisis Response Teams
In Person Crisis Intervention
Child Abuse Crisis Intervention Hotlines
Talklines/Warmlines
If you are considering continuing your education, find local programs for GED completion, or apply for federal and state financial aid to attend community college for little to no cost through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FAFSA: If you are on probation or parole or living in a halfway house, you may be eligible for federal student aid. However, if you were convicted of a drug-related offense your eligibility may be limited.
When you complete the FAFSA form for federal student aid, you will be asked whether you had a drug conviction for an offense that happened during the period you were receiving federal student aid. If the answer is yes, there is a document to help you determine whether your conviction affects your eligibility for federal student aid.
If you have been convicted of a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense, and you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for that offense, you cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant.
Even if you are ineligible for federal aid, you should still complete the FAFSA form. Most schools and states use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid, and you may be able to receive some of those funds.
Click on a category below for resources:
Adult High School Diploma Programs
Adult Literacy Programs
Public Libraries
Computer and Related Technology Classes
Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898211 for more help.
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week AND is free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.