Developing Opportunities and Offering Reentry Solutions (D.O.O.R.S) uses an innovative model to address barriers faced by individuals on adult felony probation and their families. This eight-minute video features D.O.O.R.S partners, staff, and clients sharing what the program means to them.

Individuals on adult felony probation face a number of barriers to reentering the community after they are released. Developing Opportunities and Offering Reentry Solutions (D.O.O.R.S) uses an innovative model to address those barriers, which can also alleviate the difficulties experienced by individuals who are indirectly affected by the criminal legal system, such as the families of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Two unique features support the goal of strengthening connections with supportive services to reduce recidivism:

• co-location of support service providers within a building shared with a probation office
• use of a service-hub model where multiple support service providers have offices inside the same space

These features represent a contrast to the typical way that people on adult felony probation get service referrals. Usually, probation officers conduct needs assessments and refer individuals to services through a process that requires them to navigate a complex ecosystem of care, such as searching for availability from providers or having to figure out transportation issues. The D.O.O.R.S model offers the opportunity for probation officers to refer their clients to a variety of service providers that are on-site in the probation office building, which should make it easier for individuals to receive care. Existing literature on similar “community hub” models suggests these programs can increase access to services and support desistance, or the avoidance of criminal activity.

MDRC is evaluating D.O.O.R.S as part of the Los Angeles Coordinated Reentry Integrated Services Project (LA CRISP), a multiyear, multi-study evaluation of multiple programs overseen by Los Angeles County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Reentry Division. A report containing findings from the study will be available in spring 2024.