U.S. Department of Justice Resources

Excerpted from Guide for Developing Housing for Ex-Offenders, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, 2004, pp. 15-16.

Consider the following questions to help you prepare to launch a housing program for ex-offenders:

Leadership Issues

• Do the leaders have the commitment to operate and promote the program?
• Do the leaders have the experience to operate the program successfully?
• Do the leaders have a proven track record?

Stakeholders

• Have the outreach efforts been successful in identifying stakeholders and bringing them together?
• Have sufficient time and effort been invested in ensuring that stakeholders have a commitment to the program?

Financial Issues

• Is there a financial plan that includes an operating budget, an accounting system, and a long-range financial development guide?
• Has long-term funding been obtained that will sustain the program over time?

Replication Issues

• Can this program design be readily replicated in other communities?
• Would the stakeholders be willing to share operating information and train others interested in replicating the design?

Reporting Systems and Monitoring

• Is there a management information system designed to collect relevant data for essential program planning and management use?  Does the system include the following elements?

1)    Monitoring tool for the program.

2)    Evaluation instrument for short- and long-term performance.

3)    Reporting process for stakeholders and funding sources.

4)    Experience-based report: what works and what doesn't.

5)    Communication plan.

Built-in Evaluation

Has an evaluation element been included in the program design?