Breaking Barriers: City Programs Redefining Reentry Success

Breaking Barriers: City Programs Redefining Reentry Success

AC
Ashley ComegnaLead Teacher, Learning Care Group
6 min read

Geographic Isolation and Rural Communities

Rural populations frequently encounter structural and logistical challenges that impact access to critical services such as healthcare, education, and broadband internet. These geographic barriers are compounded by limited provider availability, fewer transportation options, and declining economic investment in rural areas. For example, the closure of rural hospitals has left many communities without local emergency care, forcing residents to travel long distances for treatment, which can result in delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes1.

Municipal governments can play a critical role in mitigating these disparities by fostering regional collaborations, supporting mobile service delivery models, and leveraging telehealth partnerships. Local leaders have successfully used grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand rural health outreach programs, improve transportation infrastructure, and invest in digital literacy initiatives that support access to virtual services2. Building capacity in rural areas through community input and partnerships with local nonprofits can ensure sustainable improvements tailored to local needs.

Populations with Limited English Proficiency

Individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) often experience significant barriers in accessing municipal services, particularly health care, legal assistance, and housing support. Language barriers can contribute to misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, and a lack of trust in public institutions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 25 million people in the United States speak English "less than very well," which limits their ability to navigate systems that are primarily English-based3.

Municipal governments can address these challenges by institutionalizing language access policies, hiring bilingual staff, and providing translated materials for essential services. For example, the City of Seattle mandates language access plans in all departments that interact with the public, ensuring that LEP residents receive equitable service delivery4. Additionally, investing in community navigators or cultural liaisons can create trust and improve communication between local governments and linguistically diverse populations.

Justice-Involved Individuals

People with prior or current involvement in the criminal justice system face compounded disadvantages, including stigma, limited employment opportunities, unstable housing, and restricted access to health care. These individuals are disproportionately from racial and ethnic minority groups and often cycle through incarceration due to unmet behavioral health, economic, or social needs5. Municipal reentry programs can be pivotal in breaking this cycle by supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism.

Cities like San Francisco and New York have implemented successful reentry initiatives that combine housing support, workforce development, and mental health services. These programs are most effective when designed in collaboration with formerly incarcerated individuals and community-based organizations. Municipal leaders should also review local ordinances or practices that may inadvertently penalize justice-involved individuals, such as discriminatory housing policies or overly restrictive occupational licensing requirements6.

Digital Exclusion and Technology Access

Digital exclusion remains a significant barrier for underserved populations, particularly low-income households, seniors, and rural residents. Lack of internet access restricts opportunities for telehealth, remote education, employment applications, and civic participation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that over 14 million Americans lack access to broadband, though other studies suggest the number could be much higher due to underreporting7.

Municipalities can address digital inequity by investing in public Wi-Fi hotspots, low-cost broadband programs, and digital literacy training. The City of Philadelphia, for instance, has partnered with school districts and internet providers to distribute free internet services and Chromebooks to low-income students8. Local governments should also consider incorporating digital inclusion strategies into their comprehensive planning efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of these initiatives.

Strategies for Municipal Engagement with Underserved Populations

Effective engagement with underserved populations requires intentional planning, trusted partnerships, and culturally competent practices. Municipal governments should begin by collecting disaggregated data across race, income, geography, and language to identify disparities in service access and outcomes. This data can inform targeted interventions and help allocate resources more equitably. Cities like Minneapolis and Portland have established racial equity impact assessment tools that guide decision-making across departments9.

Community engagement must go beyond traditional town halls or surveys. Working with grassroots organizations, faith-based groups, and cultural leaders can open new channels for feedback and co-creation. Municipalities should also compensate residents for their time and expertise when participating in advisory boards or focus groups. Ensuring that engagement is accessible, whether through providing childcare, transportation, or translation services, makes participation more inclusive and effective10.

Addressing Intersectionality in Policy Design

Many individuals belong to multiple underserved groups, and the intersection of these identities can compound the challenges they face. For example, a low-income, elderly immigrant with limited English proficiency may simultaneously struggle with health access, housing security, and digital exclusion. Intersectionality requires that municipal policies and programs consider how multiple dimensions of identity interact to shape lived experiences11.

To operationalize intersectional approaches, local governments can use inclusive policy frameworks such as Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) or the Equity Assessment Toolkit developed by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). These tools help departments evaluate how proposed policies may differentially impact various population groups. When implemented thoroughly, they support more equitable outcomes and reduce unintended negative consequences12.

Capacity Building and Cross-Sector Collaboration

Municipal governments often face resource limitations when addressing complex social issues that affect underserved populations. Building internal capacity through training, equity audits, and staff development can enhance the effectiveness of service delivery. Embedding equity officers within departments, as seen in cities like Atlanta and Denver, helps institutionalize accountability and align departmental objectives with community needs13.

Cross-sector collaboration with nonprofits, academic institutions, and private partners is essential for scaling successful strategies. For instance, partnerships with community health centers can expand access to care, while collaborations with workforce boards and local employers can improve job placement for marginalized residents. Municipalities that adopt a systems-thinking approach and foster long-term partnerships are better positioned to address the root causes of inequity rather than just the symptoms14.

Bibliography

  1. U.S. Government Accountability Office. 2021. Rural Hospital Closures: Number and Characteristics of Affected Hospitals and Contributing Factors. GAO-21-93. Washington, DC.

  2. Health Resources and Services Administration. 2023. Rural Health Grants. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health.

  3. U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. Language Spoken at Home: 2019 American Community Survey. https://www.census.gov.

  4. City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. 2020. Language Access Program. https://www.seattle.gov/iandraffairs/programs/language-access.

  5. National Institute of Justice. 2017. Reentry Trends in the United States. U.S. Department of Justice.

  6. Vera Institute of Justice. 2019. Opening Doors: How to Reduce Barriers to Housing for People with Criminal Records. https://www.vera.org.

  7. Federal Communications Commission. 2020. 2020 Broadband Deployment Report. https://www.fcc.gov.

  8. City of Philadelphia. 2021. PHLConnectED Program. https://www.phila.gov/programs/phlconnected.

  9. City of Minneapolis. 2020. Racial Equity Impact Analysis Toolkit. https://www.minneapolismn.gov.

  10. Government Alliance on Race and Equity. 2016. Public Engagement Guide. https://www.racialequityalliance.org.

  11. Crenshaw, Kimberlé. 1989. “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex.” University of Chicago Legal Forum 1989(1): 139–167.

  12. Government Alliance on Race and Equity. 2018. Equity Assessment Toolkit. https://www.racialequityalliance.org.

  13. City of Atlanta. 2022. Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. https://www.atlantaga.gov.

  14. National League of Cities. 2020. Advancing Racial Equity in Your City: A Roadmap for Municipal Action. https://www.nlc.org.