ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED FUNDING TO INITIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITIES TO IMPLEMENT THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT. OUT OF THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE REENTRY CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED IN RIVIERA BEACH. THE REENTRY CENTER IS AN EX-OFFENDER REENTRY PROGRAM PROVIDING NON-TRADITIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO RETURNING CITIZENS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: JOB READINESS TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS, IDENTIFICATION ASSISTANCE, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AS NEEDED. THE REENTRY CENTER OPENED IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH THE GOAL OF “EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH RESTORATION”. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROMOTING COMMUNITY GROWTH AND ALLEVIATING THE BURDEN OF RECIDIVISM ON THE RIVIERA BEACH COMMUNITY AND PALM BEACH COUNTY AT LARGE. ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2017, PALM BEACH COUNTY WAS ONE OF FIVE SITES NATIONALLY TO RECEIVE THE SMART REENTRY GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN THE AMOUNT $850,000.  THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO ENHANCE EXISTING COUNTY REENTRY SERVICES BY PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS AND COGNITIVE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR REENTRY CLIENTS.  THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PROVIDERS AND LOCAL AND STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. THE GRANT AIMS TO PROVIDE MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO FORMERLY INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN WHILE IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY COUNTYWIDE. THE FUNDING AMOUNT OF $173,689 WILL PROVIDE FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT REENTRY SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.