Faith and Communities Engaged in Service is a program of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). It supports the goals of the Corporation for National and Community Service to increase community organizations' (secular and faith-based) participation in national service programs. The program will identify barriers that prevent access to these programs, as well as provide tools and technical assistance that address the needs of these programs. NCPC also provides training and technical assistance to enhance the Corporation's and its grantees' abilities to work with community organizations.

Services and
Resources Available

Telephone and Online Assistance
Technical assistance and Help Desk support assistance via toll-free telephone lines and electronic mail at 866-783-2237 or by email at faces@ncpc.org

Reentry E-Mail Discussion List
The Reentry Discussion List is intended to assist people in national service projects who are serving communities and individuals involved in ex-offender reentry efforts. Each year more than 650,000 previously incarcerated individuals are released to communities in the U.S. Most of the Corporation for National and Community Service's programs have representative projects and programs dedicated to this human and community need. Our goal is to make this a living discussion list that can be a resource for all in the field and a forum for the exchange of best practices, good ideas, latest research, and current news.

Information Sessions
NCPC offers on-site and remote information sessions to help organizations explore legal guidelines and collaboration options for CNCS’ partnerships with faith-based organizations

Customized Workshops and Seminars
NCPC offers workshops that provide strategies on how to reach out and engage community organizations in National Service and seminars outlining effective techniques and tools that build or sustain programs engaged in the target areas of ex-offender reentry strategies and asset development. Topics can be modified to meet specific training objectives. Up-to-date information is shared in an interactive and dynamic fashion using the principles of adult learning, helping to build and strengthen strategies and remove roadblocks. Resources are available for national service directors as well as for community organizations. Examples of workshop topics are:

• Legal Dos and Don’ts - Participants explore how faith-based and community organizations can partner with government in the context of various national initiatives and learn more about the legal guidelines for funding of faith-based organizations.

• Ex-Offender Reentry - Participants explore the issue of ex-offender reentry and the roles that National Service Programs can have in addressing the needs of individuals and communities.

• Building Partnerships - Learn about a step-by-step process to effectively reach out and engage community organizations in national service. Outline specific strategies for your organization.

Conferences
NCPC offers support to National Service Programs in planning local and regional training conferences, empowering them with plans, program development, resources, and technical assistance.

Faith-Based Toolkits
An AmeriCorps Applicant Toolkit and a State Commission Toolkit have been developed to help AmeriCorps programs form partnerships with secular and faith-based community organizations.

Ex-Offender Reentry Webinars 

AmeriCorps*VISTA and Prisoner Reentry Online Course

The Faith and Service Technical Education Network (FASTEN)
FASTEN is part of the Pew Charitable Trust's effort to enhance the faith community's efforts to serve those most in need through their religion and social welfare policy strategy.

Publications

Mentor Guide: For People Working with Children of Promise is a resource designed to help mentors preparing to work with children of prisoners

People of Faith Mentoring Children of Promise is designed as a guide for those who have chosen to take the incarceration of a child's parent as a point of intervention with mentoring as a vehicle.

Stories and Activities for Children of Promise is a workbook for children of prisoners that helps them deal positively with daily challenges they face. 

Faith Community and Criminal Justice Collaboration: A Collection of Effective Programs is a report examining how people of faith are cooperating with law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to prevent crime, assist victims, and facilitate ex-offender reentry.

Contact Information

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