1. Learn directly from experts, practitioners and peers working in jurisdictions that have implemented transitional jobs programs for justice-impacted groups; including the leaders that have invested, provided oversight, and actually run a paid training opportunity within their organization. 
2. Obtain evidence-based guidance for designing and implementing a transitional jobs program that meets the needs of your community. 
3. Participate in built-in opportunities to strengthen relationships within and across teams and form a coalition of diverse government and community leaders, recognizing the broad-based partnership is needed to effectively implement transitional jobs programs.
4. Develop an action plan that outlines steps your team will take to implement a transitional jobs program, including identifying and securing funding, program design in alignment with evidence-based best practices, defining eligibility criteria, employment pathways, and developing metrics for evaluation and continuous improvement.
5. Use state and local funding streams and strengthen grantmaking, procurement, and contracting practices to align and shift public dollars toward evidence-based transitional jobs programs.

By the end of the Sprint, participants and teams will be able to: 

1. Understand how a transitional jobs program can advance workforce, reentry, and economic mobility goals in your jurisdiction or organization, including how these programs are most effective when they provide income support to participants.
2. Understand the key design features of an effective, evidence-based transitional jobs program and align with your local goals and capacity.
3. Identify viable local, state, and federal funding opportunities for transitional jobs programs, and learn best practices for engaging government and private partners.
4. Develop a strategy for building and managing strong government and employer partnerships to create work opportunities.
5. Design complementary programming and supportive services that strengthen participant outcomes and integrate seamlessly with the work experience.
6. Develop an implementation plan for launching and managing a transitional jobs program, including compliance, administration, and capacity planning.
7. Define success metrics and understand how to apply best practices in measurement and evaluation to assess participant and program outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

This Solutions Sprint opportunity is designed for community-based organizations and local or state government teams interested in implementing or expanding transitional jobs programs for justice-impacted individuals and those returning home from incarceration. Applicants are encouraged to apply as part of a broader coalition that brings together key stakeholders.

Not sure if you qualify? Reach out to our team and we can answer any questions you have.

Participating members of the team should include, but are not limited to, the following leaders and staff:

Required:

• Community-based organizations that can house and operate a transitional jobs program or enhance a current program; AND
• State and/or local government official(s)
• Local Government Examples  
• City Council, Mayor's Office, County Commission, City/County Manager, State Representative, Local Workforce Development Board, American Job Center Representative, Local SNAP/TANF Agency, Local Jails/Public Safety Agency
• State Government Examples
• Sate Workforce Board Representative/ State Workforce Agency (WIOA), Human Services Agency (TANF/SNAP E&T), State Corrections/Community Supervision Agency

• This form will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Preview the application questions here.
• Applications are due by the end of day on April 13, 2026. 
• Only one application is needed per team. Each team should identify a team lead to coordinate communications; we encourage the team lead to submit the application.