Delaware County proclaims April as Second Chance Month; re-entry coalition outlines services and outcomes

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on April 2 approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as Second Chance Month and heard presentations from the Delaware Re-entry Coalition about reentry services, program outcomes and community partnerships.

Tory Demick of Southeast Healthcare, who facilitates the local re-entry coalition, said the network includes roughly 35 partner agencies from nonprofit and government sectors working to connect justice-involved individuals to housing, treatment and employment supports.

Kathy, a coalition presenter, summarized recent county jail data and treatment needs, saying, “people leaving the Delaware County jail are 10 times more likely to overdose than anybody in the general population,” and that 62% of the jail population are on behavioral-health medications and about 15% required medical detox protocols. She added that more than 2,400 people were released from the jail last year.

The presentation highlighted outcomes from the LINK program (Lives In Need of Connection), which coalition presenters said has been operating since 2017. According to coalition remarks, LINK participants had a 16% recidivism rate last year compared with a 52% rate for the jail’s general population, and homelessness among participants fell from 45% to 17%. The presenters said participants who obtain employment one year after release see substantially lower recidivism and that treatment engagement averaged about 25 days postrelease.

Jillian Armstrong, the Delaware County jail program coordinator, shared client stories to illustrate the services in practice. Describing one participant, she said wraparound case management helped him access SNAP, work supports, medication-assisted treatment and counseling. Tory Demick read a quote from a client named Patrick who credited “second chances” and coalition supports with enabling employment and recovery.

Commissioners praised the coalition’s work and asked presenters to explain public-facing events and professional training. Demick said the re-entry resource fair on May 26 at the Bixby Building (3–6 p.m.) is for residents and families to connect with community providers, while the re-entry simulation is a role-play training for professionals to experience common barriers people face after release.

New Beginnings House, a transitional residence on Eaton Street, was announced by board member Chuck Nell; he said the program will accept its first resident the week after the meeting and provide navigation and life-skills supports for people leaving jail or treatment.

The proclamation and presentations emphasized cross-sector funding and coordination; county officials noted the board provides fiscal and administrative oversight through Southeast Healthcare while community partners deliver direct services.

The board signed the proclamation and commissioners and coalition members posed for photographs after the presentation. Presenters distributed flyers and invited board members and the public to the May 26 re-entry fair.