Dana Ferrell Birchfield chaired this effort, which created the Jacksonville Re-entry Center as a one-stop shop for ex-offenders seeking housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, legal assistance, and counseling, as well as starting a Pre-Trial Services Unit, increasing the number of beds in the jail's substance abuse treatment program, and forming the Joint Coalition to meet monthly to address ex-offender needs.

The study has had national impact, cited at the National Policy Conference, From Prison to Home: The Effect of Incarceration and Reentry on Children, Families, and Communities, January 30-31, 2002, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The Urban Institute. See Services Integration: Strengthening Offenders and Families, While Promoting Community Health and Safety.

Results of Advocacy efforts:

• The Jacksonville Re-entry Center is established, a one-stop shop for ex-offenders looking for housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, legal assistance, and counseling.
• Developing the Joint Coalition, a group of more than 30 corrections workers, human service providers, bail bondsmen, faith leaders, and attorneys who meet monthly to address the needs of ex-offenders in Jacksonville.
• Starting a Pre-Trial Services Unit in the jail which provides offenders with services before their sentencing.Increasing the number of beds available in the jail's substance abuse treatment program from 96 to 150.