ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the development of an alternative conceptual framework and an associated model of evidence-driven reentry services that allow for broad dissemination and provide a standard set of outcomes to facilitate evaluation. The Well-Being Development Model (WBDM) is grounded upon psychosocial well-being and provides a simplified yet comprehensive approach to reentry services that can both adapt to individual circumstances while meeting the needs of most individuals releasing from prison despite offense type, risk level, or behavioral health status. The five key facilitators of reentry well-being are Meaningful Work Trajectories, Effective Coping Strategies, Positive Social Engagement, Positive Relationships, and Healthy Thinking Patterns. From the WBDM framework, the 5-Key Model for Reentry was developed using an intervention development study methodology, which is described in detail. This model is currently being tested in a phased, multistate randomized controlled trial in seven states across the nation. The research is being guided by a research-to-practice feedback loop that allows for real-time changes to the model to be made during an active field trial. The importance of the rapid dissemination of research findings to effect system-level changes to policy and practice are explored in depth. The chapter concludes with the authors describing key learnings including how recidivism is a misspecified outcome for evaluating both individual and program success during reentry, how geography and the proximity of prisons and communities influence outcomes, the importance of engaging families during reentry, how to use technology to overcome many barriers to connection, and how adaptive research the approach is for the future.
