Friends Outside can help in the following areas:
• Basic hygiene products and reading glasses
• Referrals for food and shelter
• Clothing and clothing vouchers
• Bus passes for active participants
• Assistance complying with probation terms
• Legal and criminal justice agency referrals
• Resume building, job search, and return to school planning
Re-Entry Advocacy: Comprehensive Re-entry Support and Post-Release Planning is available to all participants country-wide. Services are available post-release and services include intensive reentry planning, mentoring and support for compliance with mandated supervision terms.
Benefits Assistance: Benefits advocacy assists clients with assistance in accessing benefits, including:
• Food Stamps and government benefits
• Educational aid and school enrollment
• Medical insurance and other benefits to care for mental and physical health
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Friends Outside offers various cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) curricula through referrals from the Santa Cruz Probation Department. CBT offerings happen on-site at the Probation Service Center and focus on cognitive restructuring, social skill development, problem solving skills, and other criminogenic needs.
