Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks

Jobs for the Future (JFF), through its Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, has launched the Fair Chance to Advance (FC2A) initiative to address the structural barriers faced by over 70 million people in the United States who have experienced arrest, conviction, or incarceration. These individuals often struggle to access education and employment, which hinders their economic mobility and contributes to broader economic stagnation. The FC2A initiative aims to dismantle these barriers by helping states align their systems and funding mechanisms to better support individuals with incarceration histories. The cornerstone of the initiative is the creation of State Action Networks, coalitions of leaders from selected states tasked with designing and implementing systemic reforms. With support from the Ascendium Education Group, JFF is inviting states to apply to join the inaugural cohort of these networks. Participating states will receive grant funding, technical assistance, and access to data tools to support their efforts in creating coordinated policies that open clear, sustained pathways to quality jobs for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Eligibility is limited to statewide coalitions that include leaders from corrections, postsecondary education, and workforce development agencies, as well as policymakers and individuals with lived experience in the justice system. The inclusion of community organizations, reentry professionals, and employers is strongly encouraged. Selected states will be supported with up to $300,000 in Phase 1 planning grants over a 24-month period. If key milestones are achieved, they may receive an additional $1.8 million for Phase 2 implementation efforts, covering the remainder of the four-year grant period. Technical assistance valued at approximately $1.8 million per state will also be provided. The support structure includes services such as needs assessments, asset mapping, customized data dashboards, and outcome evaluations. Participating states will gain access to a multi-year learning community, coordinated by JFF and the Coleridge Initiative, that will allow them to share best practices and collaborate across sectors. Key objectives include aligning state systems, improving cross-sector partnerships, promoting fair chance hiring, and using integrated data to inform decisions. Proposals are due by October 14, 2025. Letters of intent must be submitted by August 26, 2025. Finalist interviews will take place between November 5 and November 19, 2025, and award notifications will be issued in late November. Successful states will enter into grant agreements between December 2025 and January 2026, with the planning phase officially beginning in February 2026. Implementation will follow after the successful completion of the planning phase, with funding extending through February 2030. Applications will be assessed through a four-stage review process: initial eligibility review, competitive regional review, finalist interviews, and final cohort selection. Evaluation criteria include stakeholder readiness, demonstrated cross-sector collaboration, engagement with people with lived experience, system capacity, and commitment to reform. Additional emphasis will be placed on geographic and political diversity across selected states. A recorded information session was released on August 5, 2025, to help potential applicants understand the program structure and expectations.