Freed and exonerated people are challenged with many obstacles upon returning to their communities including financial and emotional distress, difficulty finding housing, securing healthcare and employment, and social stigmatization.
In response to this, MTIP recognized the urgent need to provide support to our clients in developing their reentry plans, to ensure a smooth and successful transition back to community. In 2023 MTIP was honored to be the recipient of a planning grant from the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The project aimed to improve behavioral and physical health outcomes and overall quality of life for reentering community members, thus increasing their chances for lasting post-carceral success.
This grant allowed MTIP to begin expanding our scope of client services, by implementing a new social services program that allows for case planning to begin while individuals are still incarcerated and addresses the daily needs of our freed clients including connecting them with community resources to healthcare, employment, housing, and mental health and emotional support.
The grant also allowed MTIP to provide stipends to University of Montana School of Social Work practicum students – expanding MTIP’s program capacity and providing students with direct client experience and engagement with community partners to form new relationships and develop resources.
Our Social Services Advocate and program leader, Ali Lacayo began working for MTIP in January of 2024, and has worked closely with our clients to develop needs assessments as well as setting life goals to navigate their reentry transitions.
While our social services program is still fairly new, Ali looks forward to growing the resources available to clients and partnering with more community reentry organizations.
Apply for Practicum Opportunities:
The Montana Innocence Project is committed to providing practical learning opportunities for the next generation of justice advocates! If you are enrolled in an accredited social work degree program and interested in working with us, download and fill out the Practicum Application and Confidentiality Agreement below. Email those documents and your resume to info@mtinnocenceproject.org. Please put your name and “practicum application” in the subject line of the email. Thank you for your interest!
Practicum students work alongside MTIP staff to:
- Develop client needs assessments and reentry plans
- Connect clients with resources such as healthcare, employment, housing, and mental health and emotional support
- Work with legal and communications team members to support individuals through the parole process
- Research and analyze policy, support impacted individuals in their legislative advocacy efforts, and participate in policy coalition spaces
Practicum students are eligible to earn a $3,000 stipend per semester commitment.