Franklin County Common Pleas Court's RENEW program marked its first graduation Thursday, recognizing four people who completed a reentry effort for individuals leaving prison. The program's name stands for Rebuilding Empowering Navigating Embracing Wellness.
Stephanie Hanna, a staff attorney for Judge Jeffrey Brown, said the name was chosen to convey a fresh and restorative purpose. Hanna and Judge Sheryl Munson developed the concept at a time when Franklin County was Ohio's largest county without a reentry program, according to Hanna. She said helping people transition after release strengthens the community.
Briana Morris, the second person to join RENEW, entered through judicial release. The program links participants with employment and other services, includes meetings with probation officers every two weeks, and assists with job and housing searches. It also connects them to mental health care and conducts drug testing. Participants move through four phases and gain more freedom as they progress, NBC4 reported.
Current participants attended Thursday's ceremony to support the graduates. Hanna said the program now has full-time employees, can take up to 40 participants, and aims to expand outreach into prisons. It operates as a specialized docket through Franklin County and is pursuing full certification from the Ohio Supreme Court, she said.