People Empowering and Restoring Communities

PERC has existed as an organization for nearly 30 years through advocacy and action. This has included direct structured programs, housing, cognitive behavioral classes, comprehensive case management and employment development. We are community based as an organization- beginning (and maintaining) a grass roots coalition approach. The Coalition has met on the fourth Thursday of every month since 1988 and is a place where like-minded providers network together to discuss what is going on in the ‘reentry’ universe, but more importantly to share programs and initiatives in such a way that clients can be served in partnership. The concept is simple – when multiple programs come together with a variety of services and share to meet their goals and objectives – the individual organizations and programs working collectively benefit each other – but most importantly – successfully benefit the clients we serve. PERC has expanded its offerings to the community with three offices throughout Pinellas County and two offices in Pasco County and has served statewide- working with three gubernatorial administrations, the state legislature, the Florida Department of Corrections, and with a variety of communities looking to start reentry coalitions similar to ours. This has expanded in a national sense, helping spread successful reentry practices through the Council of State Governments and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
PERC case managers provide comprehensive, intensive re-entry case management services, including but not limited to job development and placement, job retention skill training, transitional housing, assessments, evaluations and referrals for substance abuse and mental health treatment, linkages for subsistence needs (beyond housing), partnerships for GED and adult basic education, and employment training – all outlined in a unique, individualized case plan that is updated regularly. This includes intensive levels of service pre-release to post release, with services intensive and decreasing over time. Beyond this, PERC is also a licensed out-patient substance abuse provider, licensed batterer’s intervention program provider, licensed HIV/AIDS testing and education provider, and provides many other cognitive educations classes such as life skills, advanced life skills, anger management, errors in thinking, just to mention a few. PERC also offers larger comprehensive programs either as a lead agency or as a collaborative partner.