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.”

“Founded in 1974, OAR is a community-based nonprofit organization working with men and women returning to the community from incarceration and offering alternative sentencing options through community service to your and adults. Reentry 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, and those returning to our jurisdictions from Virginia Department of Corrections and Federal facilities. The Community Service program works with participants connected to the Arlington County courts, City of Falls Church courts and other courts as they complete their community service hours in lieu of incarceration. OAR is part of the public safety family, works closely with local partners, and advocates for second and fair chances for all. 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 participants utilizing evidence-based case management interventions, works with the participants' family members/support group, is there the day the participants are released, and continues working post-release with the participants for a total of 12 months, ensuring that the participants have a place to live, secure employment or are enrolled in vocational training, and have reconnected with their family members/support system. 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. A recent evaluation of the state of Virginia showed that the state has the lowest recidivism rate in the country which is 23% which includes all risk levels (low, medium, and high risk). The Intensive Reentry Program (IRP) which only focuses on the higher risk population has a very low recidivism rate of 14%. The OAR Reentry Services Department is on the journey with more than 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, Arlington County Detention Facility, and those returning to our jurisdictions from Virginia Department of Corrections and Federal facilities. Reentry staff utilizes evidence-based practices both pre- and post-release to assist individuals currently and formerly incarcerated to re-enter 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 system 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 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. Also, OAR provides school supplies and gifts to the children of incarcerated parents and those recently released in our jurisdictions as they prepare to go back to school and over the December holidays. Participation in the reentry program is completely voluntary.”

“Often courts sentence individuals involved with the justice system for the first time and those with minor offenses to complete community service hours, which saves taxpayers money, keeps families together and allows the men, women, boys, and girls to continue attending school or working, as well as contributing to the community. Through community service, participants are invited to take responsibility for past actions and repair the damage done by giving back to the community and providing a service that enriches the lives of others as well as their own. The community service team works with more than 1,600 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. We often hear stories of individuals who have been hired by the organization where they performed their community service hours. 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 due to lack of income, (4) Individuals who are referred by the drug court to complete community service while they are participating in the drug court program, (5) Youth who are referred by the Shoplifter Program to complete community service as a diversion from court involvement and potential case dismissal, (6) 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, shelving books at the library, tutoring at an after-school program, teaching a computer class, cleaning up a park, and serving as a receptionist in local nonprofit offices. 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.”

“OAR shifted this year in how we share the stories of our participants. In the past, we had participants from our programs share their personal stories about their lives and their involvement with OAR. We have moved to a place where we share participant stories without sacrificing their privacy or re-traumatizing them. We know that it is hard for people to get in front of a crowd and talk about a part of their past that they are not proud of. It is also hard to be filmed or photographed and know that these images will forever live on the internet. We don't want to re-traumatize the participants by asking them to relive their stories on our behalf, and we do not want them to be forever recognized in the community as "the OAR participant." But we also understand that hearing these stories is empowering for supporters of OAR. We are now sharing stories in new and creative ways, such as having storytellers portray our participants, using images that do not show our participant's faces and other ways of storytelling without compromising the privacy of those whose stories are being shared. OAR takes the privacy and well-being of the participants so seriously. Also, we are honored to have over 250 volunteers providing administrative support in the office, program support working directly with participants, and assisting at OAR special events.”

“Book/ Tax Difference Section 512(a)(7)- Taxable Qualified Transportation -3,832.”

“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.”