Fontana Re-Entry
Support Team Reinventing
Approach to Realignment
By Martha Guzman-Hurtado
37 year-old Charles Johnson of Fontana is living proof that the Fontana
Re-entry Support Team is keeping individuals from re-offending in
the wake of realignment. He served three prison terms for countless
offenses before deciding to use the program to make a positive change.
The F.R.S.T. program helps early
release prisoners, individuals with a
criminal record and even those without a
criminal background who are in need of
resources and assistance, to obtain services
and job training in an effort to better
integrate them into society. “I tell those
recently released from prison that are
skeptical about accepting police support,
that this program is no joke,” said F.R.S.T.
participant Charles Johnson. “These police
officers want to help keep you out of jail
and get you into the workforce.”
The F.R.S.T. program is centered on
community partnerships. Individuals
seeking support are invited to attend
monthly meetings where they are exposed
to a variety of organizations with available
resources. The San Bernardino County
Workforce Development Department
(WDD), in conjunction with the California
State Employment Development Depart-
ment (EDD), provides these individuals
with a three-day re-entry workshop.
These workshops are an integral part
of the re-entry process by addressing
employment barriers, such as explaining
a felony conviction during an interview,
resume writing, proper interview attire,
and where to seek employment. “The
Fontana Re-entry Support Team is not just
connecting available government services
to those clients in need,” said Fontana
Chief of Police Rodney Jones. “The entire
community is supporting those who were
recently released