The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has been selected to participate in the first group of Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) Fair Chance to Advance (FC2A) State Action Networks. This initiative aims to help states expand access to education and workforce opportunities for individuals with criminal records.
North Carolina will collaborate with JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement to address barriers faced by people with histories of incarceration, arrest, or conviction. According to JFF, over 70 million Americans have such records, which can limit their economic prospects.
Alongside Kansas, Maine, and Oregon, North Carolina will receive up to $2.1 million in funding over four years. This includes $1.8 million in technical assistance from JFF and the Coleridge Initiative, a nonprofit focused on improving public decision-making through data use. Participating states will use a secure data-sharing platform to enhance cooperation among agencies and take part in a national learning network aimed at reforming corrections, education, workforce development, and employment practices for people with criminal records.
Governor Josh Stein said: “When North Carolinians leaving incarceration have access to education and job training, they are far more likely to succeed and give back to their communities rather than return to crime. This investment from JFF will help North Carolina open doors to good jobs, strengthen our workforce, and prevent crime. People returning home will have a real opportunity for a second chance, and that benefits us all by making our communities safer and stronger.”
Leslie Cooley Dismukes, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, stated: “It is an honor to be selected as one of the states to receive funding for our work in rehabilitation and reentry. Reentry is vitally important to public safety in North Carolina, and I want to thank our staff for their hard work in securing this funding for this important task.”
George Pettigrew, NCDAC Senior Deputy Secretary for Rehabilitation and Reentry added: “The Fair Chance to Advance initiative will significantly expand North Carolina’s capacity to support currently and formerly incarcerated learners by aligning and scaling our education, workforce, and reentry systems. Through this grant, we will establish a coordinated, statewide approach that ensures people have access to high-quality education and career pathways — both during incarceration and post-release.”
JFF chose North Carolina out of more than 30 applicants due its prior efforts on economic mobility for those with criminal backgrounds. The state was recognized for its ability to bring together leaders across agencies as well as its vision for how joining the cohort could drive long-term change. As part of FC2A State Action Networks participation, North Carolina plans further expansion of educational programs including apprenticeships and work-release options while also improving how agencies share information.
Rebecca Villarreal from JFF said: “We are excited to collaborate with the bipartisan, inter-agency leaders from across North Carolina who are committed to strengthening the state’s workforce, supporting businesses, and creating pathways to quality jobs for learners with histories of incarceration. North Carolina brings meaningful cross-sector momentum through its Reentry 2030 work and a clear commitment from executive, legislative, and agency leaders to improving economic outcomes for people impacted by incarceration. FC2A will partner with state leaders to sharpen that coordination, surface where systems still disconnect and strengthen pathways that work better for people navigating them.”
The State Action Networks phase builds on FC2A’s launch in 2024 supported by Ascendium Education Group.
Molly Lasagna from Ascendium said: “States that are most effective at linking postsecondary education and the workforce start with a clear purpose: ensure learners gain the skills and credentials that lead to upward mobility and meet workforce needs. From there, state leaders create the infrastructure and partnerships to make that vision possible — using data to identify opportunities, aligning funding and policy, and creating learner pathways that respond to employer demand.”
Mathematica has been chosen as an independent evaluator for the project’s progress while individuals affected by incarceration will serve as advisors throughout its implementation.
Applications remain open until January 25th for those interested in joining North Carolina’s five-person advisory board composed of directly impacted individuals.
