Barbara Ornelas

Planning Council Elects 2019-20 Leadership Team

By Barbara Ornelas / September 18, 2019 / 0 Comments

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Roundtable Executive Committee for 2019-2020! At the September meeting, the Planning Council elected the following officers: Chair: Michelle Collins, MA, LPC, MPA, Integral Care Vice Chair: Mia Greer, RN, BSN, CLIA, Community Health Coalition RAP Representative: Carl F. Hunter II, M.Div, Recovery People Past Chair: […]

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Highlights from the 86th Legislative Session

By Barbara Ornelas / June 29, 2019 / 0 Comments

The 2019 Legislative session has wrapped up with Governor Abbott signing in to law 1,229 of the 1,429 bills that were sent to him. Of these, several are directly related to and impact those with lived experience in the criminal justice system. A few highlights include: HB 3227 – Expands the use of reentry peer support and increases […]

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Reentry Roundtable at Travis County Commissioners Court & CAN Board of Directors Meeting

By Barbara Ornelas / June 15, 2019 / 0 Comments

Throughout the month of April, the Roundtable made multiple public presentations about our work around reentry, fair chance hiring, and the Texas Criminal Background Screening Guide for Rental Housing Providers.  We invite you to watch the Roundtable’s presentation to the Travis County Commissioners Court about  FY19 goals and accomplishments by clicking here and advancing to the video’s 1:45:07 mark.  […]

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Second Chance Month Honored with Texas House Resolution 1268

By Barbara Ornelas / May 31, 2019 / 0 Comments

On Thursday, April  18th, House Representative Alma Allen filed HR1268 “recogniz[ing] April 2019 as Second Chance Month and commend[ing] those who have made a successful transition to life outside the corrections system as well as those organizations and individuals who have assisted in that process.” This resolution honored many men, women and organizations that have impacted criminal justice policy in Texas, including […]

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Congratulations, Reggie!

By Barbara Ornelas / May 30, 2019 / 0 Comments

This month Reentry Roundtable Chair Reggie Smith will begin a new position as Peer Services Team Lead for Behavioral Health at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This transition supports his passion for peer support, especially as it relates to reentry. Peer support involves relationship-based, recovery-focused personalized support services delivered by people with first-hand experience. Peers offer […]

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Update from Hank Perret, Fair Chance Employment Champion

By Barbara Ornelas / May 29, 2019 / 0 Comments

“My first couple of months as the Roundtable’s Fair Chance Employment Champion have been spent familiarizing myself with the work before me: reading, researching, and attending RAP and Planning Council meetings. I have had exciting discussions with Goodwill, Workforce Solutions, ACC, American Youthworks, ME3LJ, Lee College, ARMA, the City of Austin, Travis County Sheriff’s Department, […]

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RAP Speaks Recap

By Barbara Ornelas / May 1, 2019 / 0 Comments

On April 16th, the Roundtable and RAP were thrilled to celebrate Second Chance Month by presenting RAP Speaks, the second annual storytelling event focused on sharing the voices and perspectives of individuals directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion opened the event with thoughtful remarks, setting the tone for the rest […]

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Introducing Hank Perret, the Roundtable’s Executive Fellow Through Leadership Austin

By Barbara Ornelas / April 1, 2019 / 0 Comments

We are thrilled to welcome Hank Perret as the Roundtable’s Fair Chance Hiring Champion! He will serve the Roundtable as an Executive Fellow through Leadership Austin‘s unique program that utilizes the experience of semi- or fully retired leaders to build the capacity of community organizations. Hank’s background in both the private and non-profit sectors is […]

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2nd Annual RAP Speaks Storytelling Event

By Barbara Ornelas / March 26, 2019 / 0 Comments

  Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable and the Reentry Advocacy Project are pleased to invite you to RAP Speaks, the second annual storytelling event focused on sharing the voices and perspectives of individuals directly impacted by the criminal justice system.  When: Tuesday, April 16th from 7-9pm Where: Impact Hub North (5540 N Lamar Blvd) Click here to RSVP   In recognition of Second […]

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Thank you, Roundtable Supporters!

By Barbara Ornelas / March 4, 2019 / 0 Comments

On behalf of the Reentry Roundtable, we would like to thank all of you for your support during Amplify Austin! Over the course of 24 hours, almost two dozen donors came together to raise over two thousand dollars for the Roundtable. We would like to extend a special thank you to our amazing donors, our peer-to-peer […]

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The Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable is collaborative promoting safe and healthy communities through effective reentry and reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons and individuals with criminal histories in Austin/Travis County, Texas.