In 2018, Community Supervision partnered with Human Services Staff, City leadership, the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office, and members of the Tempe Community to write a proposal for Tempe’s Innovation Fund. The program was awarded a grant to develop and implement a three-year pilot program that assists individuals experiencing incarceration and their families. Supporting Next Steps receives referrals from Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office Correctional Health Services for returning citizens who have children and families that live in Tempe. Participants receive support in securing employment, stable housing, basic needs, education, and counseling resources to help mitigate the traumatic effects of incarceration on the individual, the caregiver, and the children. Participants, both the returning citizen and the caregivers, have access to parenting, employment, and education workshops, as well as tailored case management to help meet the family’s unique needs. The goal of the program is to encourage successful family reunification and reintegration into the community, as well as increasing support for the participating families.

For more information on Supporting Next Steps, contact nextsteps@tempe.gov