Financial Access Inclusion and Resources Project (FAIR)

The Financial Access Inclusion and Resources program (FAIR) provides financial coaching and case management services to assist formerly incarcerated people with disabilities in combating employment and resource barriers to achieve long term financial security.

Participation in the FAIR program is voluntary. Our services are holistic and are centered around the individual needs of people with disabilities who may require additional supports and services to successfully reenter in their communities after incarceration.

How do we do it?

Through funding from Baptist Community Ministries, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Greater New Orleans Foundation, and the RosaMary Foundation, our case managers are able to help our participants with the following:

Creating resumes and cover letters
Submitting job applications
Connecting to other needed workforce development services
Filling out benefit applications and other paperwork
Understanding how work will impact their benefits (unearned income and health care coverage)
Selecting and using banking products
Creating spending and savings plans
Identifying and prioritizing debts
Pulling and disputing errors on credit reports
Finding ways to build credit
Addressing outstanding municipal attachments, fines, and fees through a partnership with the Justice and Accountability Center (JAC) of Louisiana
Connecting to other legal, educational, medical, transportation and housing service providers.

Who is eligible?

People who have been released from incarceration within the last 10 years, or individuals who are still incarcerated but are expected to be released within the next 3 months; that live in or will be released to Orleans or Jefferson Parish; are between 18 and 70 years old; have a disability (mental or physical); and are interested in employment.

All referrals may be subject to additional eligibility determinations by DRLA staff.

How to reach us:

If you are interested in FAIR services please contact us at (800) 960-7705 or info@disabilityrightsla.org and mention the FAIR program. Program Manager Carolyn LeBrane Tilton is also available at 504-272-2252 or clebranetilton@disabilityrightsla.org should you have questions regarding the program.”

Videos

On 1/6/22, DRLA’s former FAIR Program Manager, Libby Whiteside Kiger, FAIR Program Manager, Patrick Holmes, and FAIR Client Advocate, Juliana Matz, gave this presentation, “The FAIR Program: Improving the Employment and Financial Outcomes of Formerly Incarcerated People With Disabilities”, as part of our Lunch and Learn virtual webinar series.

DRLA’s former FAIR Program Manager, Libby Whiteside Kiger, and FAIR Program Manager, Patrick Holmes, gave this presentation on the FAIR program as part of the Governor’s Office on Disability Affairs (GODA) Virtual Conference that took place from July 26th-29th, 2021. The theme was “Moving Forward, The Journey Ahead” and featured 20 sessions including the topics of: education, employment, self-determination, healthcare, emergency preparedness, youth advocacy and more.

To watch the full conference, please visit the Youtube channel for the Governor’s Office of Community Programs at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNcGodSlBUhLcOmotMk7OEw/featured

Publications

Financial Access and Inclusion Program (FAIR) one page flyer

Financial Access and Inclusion Program (FAIR) one page flyer – SPANISH VERSION

Financial Access Inclusion & Resources (FAIR) Program Overview and Outcomes – Four Year Report

FAIR Referral Form

FAIR Case Manager Juliana Matz helps client obtain benefits, address debt & probation fees, and plan to further his education

When FAIR Case Manager Juliana Matz first met with Mr. K*, he had been out of jail for over a year. He was having a hard time securing a job due to his criminal record and his multiple disabilities. Because…

FAIR helps client receive SSI benefits, including back-pay

Ms. K* joined the FAIR program in October 2019. At the time, she was in a long-term residential substance use treatment program. She expressed interest in working right away, and a month after joining the FAIR program, Ms. K gained…

FAIR Program helps client keep job, health insurance, benefits & housing. Assists in filing for proper tax credits and paying off debts.

Orleans Parish Drug Court referred Jason* (name changed to protect confidentiality) to the FAIR Program. Jason is in his 40s, and diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and a substance use disorder. He was referred when he accepted a job offer,…

FAIR assists client in challenging credit report, stabilizing finances, securing employment, and working on obtaining commercial drivers license

A friend referred Derek* (name changed to protect confidentiality) to FAIR shortly before his parole board hearing, after being incarcerated for the majority of his adult life. Derek is in his 50s, with a substance use disorder and multiple physical…

FAIR assists in obtaining full-time employment for client, obtaining a reduced-fare bus pass for people with disabilities, challenging SSI denial

Alex* (name changed to protect confidentiality), a man in his late 50s, with mental health disabilities, a substance use disorder, arthritis, and orthopedic injuries, was referred to FAIR by the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, after spending over 20…

FAIR has SSDI reinstated for client, assists in paying traffic fines to obtain drivers license, paying legal expenses, and transitioning from housing facility to his own apartment

John* (name changed to protect confidentiality), who has schizoaffective disorder and orthopedic impairments, contacted FAIR immediately after spending over a year in incarceration. He was in a restrictive transitional housing program, which kept him from doing things like owning a…

FAIR helps client obtain full-time employment as restaurant server, cut debt, apply for unemployment and safer working conditions

A Specialty court referred Timothy,* (name changed to protect confidentiality) who has an autoimmune disorder and a substance use disorder, to FAIR shortly after being incarcerated in Orleans Justice Center. At the time he was living in a transitional home….

FAIR helps client obtain job as a full-time forklift driver & open ABLE account to save for apartment

A client with visual and mental health disabilities was referred to FAIR one month after his release from incarceration. Initially, his case manager helped him understand his healthcare coverage so he could get a medical procedure. Then she helped him…

FAIR helps client reduce debt, secure unemployment backpay & put a deposit on an apartment

A FAIR client with a traumatic brain injury and mental health disabilities met his FAIR case manager the week he was released from incarceration; at the time he was homeless and had no income. His goals were to find an…

Private: FAIR program helps correct error, makes sure that client gets their full unemployment claim

As COVID-19 began to take its toll on the global economy, it was quite evident that New Orleans employees would take a significant hit as the tourist economy shut down. One client, J, joined the FAIR program back in October…

Videos

Publications

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