Offender Aid & Restoration Arlington Co Oar Arlington Alexandria Falls Church

“The Board of Directors makes all decisions for OAR. Board committees do not have authority to act on behalf of the Board, only to make recommendations to the Board.”

“A copy of the Form 990 is first reviewed by the Controller and reviewed and approved by the Executive Director. Upon Executive Director's approval, it is forwarded to the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Upon Treasurer's approval it is forwarded to the Board of Directors prior to submission.”

“Each director, officer, and key staff is required to review a copy of the conflict of interest policy yearly, which requires each person to disclose any relationships, positions or circumstances in which he or she believes could contribute to a conflict. Following full disclosure of a possible conflict of interest, the Board of Directors shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists and, if so the Board shall vote to authorize or reject the transaction or take any other action deemed necessary to address the conflict and protect OAR's best interests.”

“Compensation decisions for the Executive Director are made using comparability data for similar positions in comparable organizations, and are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The organization currently has no other compensated officers or employees meeting the key employee definition.”

“OAR makes its governing documents, certain policies (including conflict of interest policy) and financial statements available upon request based on discretion of management.”

“OAR is a community based restorative justice organization which provides supportive services to individuals currently incarcerated, individuals previously incarcerated, and those completing community service hours for the courts. Services are provided to those living in Arlington County and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, those incarcerated in Alexandria's William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, Arlington County Detention Facility, those returning to our jurisdictions from Virginia Department of Corrections facilities, and community service participants connected to the Arlington County courts, City of Falls Church courts and other courts. OAR envisions a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the criminal justice system enjoy equal civil and human rights.”

“The IRP team begins working pre-release with the participant utilizing evidence-based case management interventions, works with the participant's family members/support group, is there the day the participant is released, and continues working post-release with the participant for a total of 12 months, ensuring that the participant has a place to live, secures employment or is enrolled in vocational training, and has reconnected with his/her family members/support group. The goal is to avoid re-incarceration and the trauma associated with incarceration. The IRP is based on 20 years of research and programs in other parts of the country. Those studies show that when the program is done well, we can reduce recidivism by 30% each year. Of the 33 individuals who have exited the Intensive Reentry Program (IRP) from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017, three have returned to the criminal justice system, demonstrating that the IRP has a very low recidivism rate of 9%. The OAR Reentry Services Department is on the journey with over 700 individuals and families each year. Reentry services are provided to men and women returning home to live in Arlington County and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, those incarcerated in Alexandria's William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center and the Arlington County Detention Facility, as well as those returning to our jurisdictions from Virginia Department of Corrections facilities. Reentry staff utilize evidence-based practices both pre- and post- release to assist individuals currently and formerly incarcerated to reenter the community. We start by conducting assessments, such as an emergency needs assessment or one that evaluates the criminogenic risks of the participant, and we then develop an informed individualized plan based on the highest priority needs. Each person's plan can range from pre- and post-release (1) assistance with basic needs and referrals for housing, substance use treatment programs, and other social services, (2) enrollment in courses that address criminal thinking and behaviors, (3) assistance with employment, job placement, professional development, workplace skills courses, and job retention training, (4) one-on-one and group-based therapeutic services, (5) working with the participant's family members/support group while the participant is still incarcerated, so that family reunification begins much earlier in the process and continuing after the participant has been released, and (6) post-release socialization activities including social outings, networking, and advocacy. Our robust pre-release program allows OAR staff and community volunteers to facilitate life skills classes and provide case management to incarcerated individuals in Alexandria's William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, the Arlington County Detention Facility, and those returning to our jurisdictions from Virginia Department of Corrections facilities. These courses and case management begin the process of preparing individuals so that when they are released, they have a head start. Courses include Employability Readiness, Computer Skills, Financial Management, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Health Awareness, Math for the Trades, Healthy Relationships, Current Events, Ethics, Parenting, and Yoga. In addition, OAR provides gifts to the children of incarcerated parents and those recently released in our jurisdictions over the December holidays. Participation in the reentry program is completely voluntary.”

“The community service team works with over 1,500 youth and adults completing community service hours each year, partners with the courts to ensure the hours are performed in accordance with the judges orders, and collaborates with over 300 nonprofits, faith communities, and government agencies where the participants perform their community service hours. The program has a 90% success rate, meaning that 90% of participants in the program complete all of their assigned hours within the time allocated by the courts. Many complete more than the hours assigned. 85% of those who completed the program reported through an anonymous survey that they found the experience worthwhile and meaningful. In addition, some courts give the option of completing community service hours as a way to pay back court fees for individuals who have been released from incarceration and are unable to pay off the fees due to lack of income. We often hear stories of individuals who have been hired by the organization where they performed their community service hours. OAR administers the program for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church courts, as well as supervises other participants who have been sentenced in other courts around the country and are living in Arlington County or the Cities of Alexandria and City of Falls Church. The OAR Community Service Department works with the following participants (1) Individuals who are court-ordered to complete community service through the Arlington County or City of Falls Church Courts, (2) Individuals who are court-ordered to complete community service through other courts throughout the country and the participants live or perform their community service hours in Arlington County or the Cities of Alexandria or Falls Church, (3) Individuals who have been approved by a Judge to complete community service in lieu of paying their court costs, (4) Individuals who are referred by their attorney to complete community service pre-trial. Some examples of community service opportunities at local nonprofit organizations can include helping in a food bank, assisting with administrative duties, participating in a car wash for County-owned vehicles, shelving books at the library, tutoring at an after-school program, teaching a computer class, and cleaning up a park. OAR community service participants also assist in local community events including the annual Arlington County Fair, Air Force Cycling Classic, Columbia Pike Blues Fest, and Rosslyn Jazz Festival, among others.”

“Several current and former participants have spoken to groups and public officials giving the community a unique perspective. We have over 250 volunteers providing administrative support in the office, program support working directly with participants, and assisting at OAR special events.”

“Contractual services: Program service expenses 70,343. Management and general expenses 5,864. Fundraising expenses 43,725. Total expenses 119,932.”

“Members of OAR's Board of Directors assume responsibility for oversight of the audit, including selection of independent accountant. This process is consistent with prior years.”