Gather important documents.

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Birth certificate (Santa Barbara County)

Birth Certificate (Outside of Santa Barbara County) 

Social Security card

Identification Card or Driver’s License (California) 

* Obtaining or replacing some of these documents do have associated fees, but waivers are available.

Housing

Housing Search Resource

Housing is one of the most critical components to reentry! If formerly incarcerated individuals have a secure space to call home, the likelihood that they will re-offend diminishes exponentially. Visit https://www.fairshake.net/housing/ for resources.

Find safe and stable housing. 

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Sober Living Homes

Emergency Shelters

Transitional Housing (long-term shelter)

Runaway/Youth Shelters

Bathing Facilities

Food

Find a stable source of food. 

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Cal-Fresh (Food Stamps)

Food Pantries

Meals

* Individuals with prior felony drug convictions who are in compliance with the terms of their parole or probation, or have completed probation or parole, may be eligible to receive CalFresh food benefits.

Transportation

Learn about transportation options. 

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Bus Route Information

Dial-A-Ride Program

Train Services

* Don’t forget to ask your Probation Officer for assistance with bus tokens, they may be able to help.

Find a source of income.

You can go to a job assistance center or employment program for resume assistance, interview preparation, and job resources. There are many companies and temp agencies who are willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals.

Click on a category below to begin your reentry resource search

Comprehensive Job Assistance Centers

Job Finding Assistance

Employment Preparation

Other resources for Employment Preparation:

• Prepare for Work https://www.fairshake.net/prepare-for-work/
• Find a Job – Job Search Engines. https://www.fairshake.net/employment/
• Interview tips  https://www.fairshake.net/pdf/interview_tips.pdf
• Resume Guide https://www.fairshake.net/pdf/resume_guide.pdf
• Self-Employment https://www.fairshake.net/pdf/self_employment.pdf
• Fair Chance Employers https://www.fairshake.net/fair-chance-employers/

*It is currently illegal for most employers to include questions about an applicant’s conviction history on a job application or to seek conviction history information prior to a conditional offer of employment. After a conditional offer is made, a background check may be filed. If a background check is filed, the employer, by law, must conduct an assessment and consider the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and how the offense relates to the job itself. The employer must communicate their decision to you in writing. You have five days to respond/appeal the decision after which the employer will make a final decision. Arrests and convictions that have been sealed/dismissed cannot be considered when performing this background check.

If you think you have been disqualified based on your felony conviction or that illegal questions were asked during the interview or on the job application, contact the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to file a complaint, here.

If an employer does have a “felony conviction” box on their application, do not check the box. It is an illegal question that is no longer allowed under California law.

Click on a category of Government assistance programs you may be eligible for 

CalWORKs

General Relief

SSI

SSDI

Resolve any legal issues or child support issues. 

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California Department of Child Support Services

How to Change a Child Support Order

General Legal Aid

Parenting Skills Classes

Anger Management 

Domestic Violence Intervention

Child support issues can prevent you from obtaining a valid driver’s license or cause other barriers to your reentry.

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 help with legal representation in child support cases.

Reentering the community can be a stressful time. Reach out for help if you need it. Build a positive support system of friends, family, and other helpful people. Attend community support meetings such as AA, NA, and/or faith community meetings.

Click on a category below to begin your reentry resource search

Alcohol Dependency Support Groups

Drug Dependency Support Groups

Sober Living Homes

DUI Programs

General Counseling

Mental Health Related Support Groups

Psychiatric Response Hotlines

Suicide Prevention Hotlines

General Crisis Intervention Hotlines        

Educational Opportunities

If you are considering continuing your education, find local programs for GED completion, or apply for state and federal financial aid to attend community college for little or no cost through the California Promise Grant program and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). 

Santa Barbara Community College’s Transitions Program offers a smooth transition from prison to the community for individuals released from the California criminal justice system. 

Education resources

Basic academic education is not the key to knowledge. Knowledge involves many facets to learning: academic, experience, learning about yourself and your values, listening, learning to live in society, and more. The key to knowledge works when we integrate all of the aspects to make decisions and set goals.

• Educate yourself https://www.fairshake.net/employment/educate-yourself/
• Basic Writing Tips https://www.fairshake.net/basic-writing-tips/
• Building Computer Skills https://www.fairshake.net/building-computer-skills-2/

Click on a category below to begin your reentry resource search

GED Classes

Adult Literacy Programs

Public Libraries

Computer and Related Technology Classes

California Promise Grant program

FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

SBCC Transitions Program

*The California Promise Grant waives students’ per-unit enrollment fee (currently $46) at any community college throughout the state.

FAFSA: If you are on probation or parole or living in a halfway house, you may be eligible for federal student aid. But, if you were convicted of a drug-related offense or if you are subject to an involuntary civil commitment for a sexual 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 occurred while you were receiving federal student aid. If the answer is yes, you will be provided a worksheet 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 complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. Most schools and states use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid, and you might be able to get some of those funds.

Medical Needs

Take care of your medical needs such as physical exams, prescription refills, dental care, vision care, and HIV/STD/Hepatitis testing and treatment. 

Find out if you qualify for Medi-Cal, or sign up for health insurance with Covered California.

Click on a category below to begin your reentry resource search

Medi-Cal

Health Insurance Information & Enrollment Assistance

Medicare

Medical Clinics