Employment: Reentry Pilot Project.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas's proposal for a Reentry Pilot Project aims to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with careers in the skilled trades through a coordinated effort in three California counties. The California Workforce Development Board would oversee the initiative in Alameda, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties, working through designated nonprofit organizations to provide comprehensive support services through January 2030.

The pilot program would establish a multi-layered support system for participants. Designated nonprofits in each county would distribute transportation stipends for access to training and work sites, equipment allowances for tools and safety gear, and living cost subsidies to maintain housing stability. For participants pursuing union-affiliated apprenticeships, the program would cover 25 percent of training costs.

The Board must evaluate the pilot based on specific metrics, including employment retention in skilled trades positions and changes in recidivism rates among participants. Within six months of the program's conclusion, the Board would submit an assessment to the Legislature examining both program outcomes and the potential for statewide implementation. The initiative requires dedicated funding through legislative appropriation before implementation can begin.