FAQs
- What is the mission of the Office of Reentry?
The Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry is committed to strengthening a network of community partners by coordinating innovative programs and services that assure quality opportunities needed for a successful reintegration.
- Where is the Office of Reentry located?
Currently the Old Brooklyn NFSC building is closed to the public. If you would like to speak with someone at the Office of Reentry, you can contact us via phone or email.
Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry
c/o Old Brooklyn
4261 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44144
(216) 698-3437
Cuyahoga-reentry@jfs.ohio.gov - Who is considered a client for reentry services?
The Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry does not provide direct services to the community, instead the Office partners and collaborates with organizations that service those that are currently incarcerated or have been previously incarcerated and their families. These entities generally serve currently incarcerated individuals, individuals under community control sanctions, juveniles, individuals who were formerly incarcerated and others with a range of judicial backgrounds, including arrests. A client is primarily someone returning to the community after a period of incarceration and is experiencing significant barriers to reintegration, including employment, education, housing or other support services like behavioral health and substance abuse treatment.
- What programs and services are available in Cuyahoga County?
The Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry has partnered with Relink.org, an organization that aims to digitally Connect the disconnected, Empower those desiring help, and Restore lives by giving those struggling the help they need, when and where they need it, to provide an online resource guide for reentry services in Cuyahoga County. By using this guide, anyone can anonymously find available resources for addiction recovery, basic needs assistance, and reentry services in your local area in just 3 clicks! Use relink.org on either your laptop or smart phone for quick connections to resources throughout the state of Ohio. This free, easy to use database is geo-location driven and includes great search and sort features. Sort by gender, age range and even see results sorted by Faith-Based Providers, Non-Government Organizations, or Government Providers.
- How can I obtain legal assistance?
The Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry works directly with The Cuyahoga County Office of the Public Defender, The Second Chance Reentry Legal Clinic at Case Western Reserve University, the Pardon, Clemency, and Reentry Clinic at Cleveland State University, and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Each entity provides free legal advice to returning citizens seeking legal assistance stemming from a previous criminal conviction. Individuals who need assistance with sealing or expunging a criminal record, resolving housing issues, child support modifications, Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQE), driver license suspensions, identity theft and more. For more information on how to obtain the best assistance use this Legal Assistance One Pager to assist.
- What is North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center?
North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center, or North Star, is a One Stop Shop that helps individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system navigate through barriers to becoming law abiding, contributing members of their families and communities. North Star provides information, referrals to services including employment readiness workshops, computer training, GED classes, alcohol and substance abuse classes and support, life skills training, a community clothes closet, benefit assistance, child support modification, vouchers for state IDs and birth certificates and more. A full range of their services are located at northstarreentry.org.
North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center
1834 East 55th Street
Cleveland, OH 44103
(216) 881-5440
NorthStarReentry@orianahouse.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
www.northstarreentry.org - Are there advantages to employers for hiring returning citizens?
YES! Employers may be eligible for a federal tax credit for each citizen, with a prior criminal conviction, that is hired. In addition, free bonding is available that grants immunity from claims of negligent hiring to employers or potential employers. For more information, please visit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit.