Frequently Asked Questions About the BEST Program and BEST House
- What is the Being Empowered and Safe Together Reintegration Program?
- What are the eligibility requirements for an individual to qualify for the BEST program?
- What kinds of services does BEST provide for its clients?
- Does BEST have plans to expand its services to include persons over 35 years old and those convicted of Class C felonies?
- May I participate in BEST’s cultural renewal programs even though I am not a BEST client?
- Do you provide services to pre-trial detainees?
- Is it true that BEST works in partnership with the staff of MCCC, Probation, Parole and Maui Intake Services to deliver training and reentry services to clients?
- Does Maui Economic Opportunity have other programs that may assist me when I am released from prison even if I am not eligible for the BEST program?
- I heard that BEST will operate the “BEST House” on Vineyard Street in Wailuku in the future. What is the BEST House?
- When will the BEST House open?
- Do I have to be a BEST client under the “Going Home” federal grant in order to be a resident of the BEST House?
- How many residents will be accepted into the BEST House?
- If accepted into the BEST House, do I have to pay to be a resident?
- What are the main rules of the BEST House?
- How long does a resident live and work at the BEST House before graduating from the program?
- How do I apply to become a resident of the BEST House?
- I was convicted within the County of Maui (Maui, Moloka`i and Lana`i) and would like to participate in BEST. However, I am currently serving time in an neighbor island or out-of-state prison. How do I enroll in the BEST Program?
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What is the contact information for MEO’s BEST Reintegration Program?
1. What is the Being Empowered and Safe Together Reintegration Program?
BEST is a program of Maui Economic Opportunity administered in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety, and originally funded by federal funds for the “Going Home” pilot program. BEST also receives funding from the State of Hawai`i, the County of Maui, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Community Foundation and other private grants and donors. BEST is designed to provide educational training and support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons to better prepare for their successful reintegration into the community.
2. What are the eligibility requirements for an individual to qualify for the BEST program?
· Individual is between 18-35 years old;
· Convicted of Class A or B Felony within the County of Maui; AND
· Length of custody must be 1 year or more
3. What kinds of services does BEST provide for its clients?
· Case Management
· Employment Training & Continuing Education Assistance
· Housing Assistance
· Mentoring Services
· Cultural Renewal Program (i.e. halau, reading circles, Family Reunification cultural activities, etc.)
· Family Reunification Services
· Substance Abuse Treatment Services
· Mental Health and other Counseling
· Transportation
· Other Support services/referrals
4. Does BEST have plans to expand its services to include persons over 35 years old and those convicted of Class C felonies?
Yes, BEST is planning to expand its services to persons over 35 years old, and those convicted of Class C felonies. In 2007, the State Legislature passed SB 932, the Community Safety Act. This law requires the Department of Public Safety to create a comprehensive and effective offender reentry system plan for adult offenders exiting the prison system, by developing model programs and returning out of state inmates with less than one year left on their sentence to Hawai`i. In addition, the bill appropriated funding for the BEST Program to expand its services to persons over 35 and those convicted of Class C felonies. As of March 2008, the BEST Program is still awaiting the release of this funding by the Governor’s office.
5. May I participate in BEST’s cultural renewal programs even though I am not a BEST client?
Yes, even if you do not qualify as a BEST client (Ages 18-35, Class A or B Felony and a minimum of 1 year Imprisonment), you may participate in the cultural renewal component of the BEST program at Maui Community Correctional Center. These classes include Hula and the Reading Circle. If you are interested in participating in BEST’s cultural renewal program, please send a written request to your Social worker/case manager at MCCC.
6. Do you provide services to pre-trial detainees?
Yes, BEST provides training and support services to pre-trial female detainees under the Promoting Reentry Opportunities Through Effective Community Transition (PROTECT) Project. PROTECT provides gender responsive programming to address the unique pathways to crime for women, and to divert female pre-trail detainees from Maui Community Correctional Center into safe housing and inpatient drug treatment programs upon supervised release. The Coordinator of the PROTECT Project is Margot Sneed.
7. Is it true that BEST works in partnership with the staff of MCCC, Probation, Parole and Maui Intake Services to deliver training and reentry services to clients?
Yes, we work in partnership with these criminal justice agencies to provide comprehensive training and support services to our clients, and to reduce the institutional barriers that individuals face as they transition home. We have found that this collaborative approach benefits our clients, while also recognizing our unique role as a community action agency to make changes to policies and practices that interfere with successful reentry.
8. Does Maui Economic Opportunity have other programs that may assist me when I am released from prison even if I am not eligible for the BEST program?
Yes, you may be eligible for support services from other Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) programs, even if you are not eligible for the BEST program. MEO is a non-profit agency that provides services annually to over 20,000 people throughout Maui County and the State of Hawai`i. The mission of MEO is to help the low income, elderly, children and youth, persons with disabilities, immigrants, other disadvantaged persons, and the general public to help themselves, so they become self-sufficient and enrich their lives, and the life of our community. The number for MEO’s Community Services Program is (808) 249-2970.
9. I heard that BEST will operate the “BEST House” on Vineyard Street in Wailuku in the future. What is the BEST House?
The BEST House will replicate the nationally recognized Delancey Street Program based in San Francisco. For over 33 years, Delancey Street has operated a residential training academy and various businesses that have helped former inmates rebuild their lives, and become successful members of their communities. To date, nearly 14,000 people have graduated from Delancey Street, contributing to its 90% success rate!
Similarly, the BEST House on Maui will empower its graduates with the tools to lead successful lives. Job training will be provided through various businesses, including a commercial kitchen and agricultural learning center, operated by the BEST staff and residents. In addition, residents will gain an academic education, and participate in cultural renewal programs. Building on Delancey’s philosophy of “each one, teach one,” residents will serve as positive role models to one another, and demonstrate by example that it is possible to turn one’s life around.
10. When will the BEST House open?
The BEST House is projected to open in late spring 2010. We apologize for the delay, but are still awaiting the necessary County permits to move forward with the major renovations planned for the BEST House.
11. Do I have to be a BEST client under the “Going Home” federal grant in order to be a resident of the BEST House?
No, any individual that has a conviction record and has been incarcerated under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawai`i may apply to be a resident of the BEST House provided that individual 1) does not have a conviction for arson; 2) is not a repeat sex offender; or 3) is not on psychotropic medications. This criterion is consistent with Delancey Street’s policy for accepting residents. In addition, the individual must be on parole, probation, or the individual’s sentence has maxed-out. Individuals that would like to be a resident of the BEST House may send a letter of interest to the BEST Program.
12. How many residents will be accepted into the BEST House?
The BEST House will initially serve 25 male residents. However, BEST plans to expand its residential training academy and businesses at another location in the future to help men and women successfully reintegrate into our community.
13. If accepted into the BEST House, do I have to pay to be a resident?
No, residents do not pay any rent or fees to be a part of the BEST House. Residents will learn real life marketable skills by training in the various businesses operated by BEST Revenues generated from these businesses will be used to support BEST.
14. What are the main rules of the BEST House?
· No alcohol and/or drug use
· No violence
· No threats of violence
· Commitment to make positive changes for your future and to help build a solid foundation for the BEST House
15. How long does a resident live and work at the BEST House before graduating from the program?
Each resident makes a commitment to live and train at the BEST House for a minimum of two years in order to graduate from the BEST House.
16. How do I apply to become a resident of the BEST House?
You may contact the BEST Program for a BEST House general interest form. Upon completion of the form, please return it to our office, and we will add your information to our BEST House interest list. As we get closer to the opening date of the BEST House, we will contact interested persons and begin the screening intake process.
17. I was convicted within the County of Maui (Maui, Moloka`i and Lana`i) and would like to participate in BEST. However, I am currently serving time in an neighbor island or out-of-state prison. How do I enroll in the BEST Program?
When you are transferred back to MCCC or are released to the County of Maui, please contact the BEST Program Staff to determine your eligibility for re-entry services. In addition, if you under parole or probation supervision, we recommend that you notify your Parole or Probation officer of your interest in BEST. They will provide referral information to our Program. In the meantime, we would be happy to send you updates on the BEST Program through our quarterly newsletter, The BEST News Yet!
18. What is the contact information for MEO’s BEST Reintegration Program?
MEO BEST Reintegration Program
99 Mahalani Street
Wailuku, Maui, Hawai`i 96793
(808) 249-2990
Email: best@meoinc.org website: http://meoinc.charityfinders.org/
