Winners of SAMHSA’s Tech-based Challenge to Assist Offender Reintegration
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Recently, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) selected three winners for its Technology-based Offender Reintegration Toolkit Challenge. SAMHSA launched the Challenge in June to help persons re-entering the community after being incarcerated.
Seven eligible entries were reviewed by a panel of technology specialists, subject matter experts, and representatives from the federal government, who evaluated the entries on their quality of product design, quality of product performance, feasibility of use, and potential impact.
The winning solutions:
- The first place prize of $10,000 will go to Obodo (https://obodo.is/). , an interactive membership website designed to be a hub that provides resources, information, and connection for persons formerly incarcerated. The site functions like a community portal. Users set up profiles, add photos, bookmark resources and interests, and can email other members. Resources are localized wherever possible.
- The second place prize of $7,500 will go to Laura Bierbower for the SecondChanceResources Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFqgP6-91gY) , a website designed to look and behave like a library, providing resources and information for persons formerly incarcerated. When a user selects a topic from the bookshelf, a book appears and the user can scroll through page by page to get the information, resources and links it provides.
- The third place prize of $5,000 will go to Right Path, a website that provides resources and information for persons formerly incarcerated, and the people who help them (parole officers, community service staff, family and friends.)
SAMHSA congratulates all three prizewinners, and commends them for their dedication and commitment to individuals re-entering communities after leaving the criminal justice system.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201509090315