REO Act of 2023

The REO Act of 2023 establishes a new Reentry Employment Opportunities Program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help individuals with justice system involvement secure employment. It provides federal grants for pre-apprenticeships, job training, counseling, and other support services to three groups: eligible adults (25+), eligible young adults (18-24), and eligible youth (16-17) who are returning to communities after incarceration, probation, parole, or diversion programs. Grants target organizations like nonprofits, tribal groups, and local governments to deliver these services, with 2% of funds reserved for technical assistance. The bill also mandates a 5-year federal evaluation to measure outcomes like employment, recidivism reduction, and program effectiveness, requiring grantees to collect and report data on participant progress.