Congressman Johnson announces $1.2M grant to address recidivism

Since 2009, Congressman has supported more than $700M in funding to help prevent inmates from becoming repeat offenders

LITHONIA, GA – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today announced that Standing to Achieve New Directions (STAND, Inc.) is receiving a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide behavioral health services for men returning from periods of incarceration.

Charles Sperling, STAND’s founder and executive director, said the grant will go toward expanding their work to reintegrate former prisoners back into society.

“Over a long period of time, Congressman Johnson and his office have been instrumental in the work we do and we look forward to continuing to work to together in service to our community,” Sperling said.

STAND – based on Covington Highway in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District – is one of the metro Atlanta’s leading community-based organizations focused on HIV, domestic violence, substance abuse intervention and comprehensive re-entry services for men.

“STAND has a proven track record of helping former inmates turn their lives around,” said Rep. Johnson, a co-sponsor of the Second Chance Act and longtime advocate for criminal justice reform. “Encouraging people released from prison to be productive members of society not only strengthens our communities; it saves taxpayers billions of dollars. These grants are a testament to a commitment by local and state leaders to address the problem, and a bipartisan consensus at the federal level about the need for smart investments in effective re-entry programs.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) award is part of a national recidivism effort entitled Project Synergy. STAND will receive an annual grant of $430,000 for three years and will run until 2016.

“This grant allows us to continue our now more than 14-year mission of helping former inmates in south DeKalb to become healthy, productive members of our communities,” Sperling said.

Cutline: Rep. Johnson meets with Charles Sperling and his staff at STAND, Inc.

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