Broward and South Florida
Worried about being turned down for jobs? That worry makes sense. Many employers hire people with records, and a record does not decide your worth. Feeling behind is normal. You do not have to figure this out alone. Start with one call.
This page is for you, and for the family walking beside you, if you are coming home from prison or jail in Broward or South Florida. Blue Waters is simply a sober living home that has gathered a lot of resources in one place. We hope this page is a jumping-off point to them. The people who can walk with you through the steps are the peers and programs below.
1 · First call
A peer who has been through it can sit with you and help you figure out the next step. Start with one of these. They’ll meet with you, help you make a plan, and connect you with what you need.
Certified Recovery Peer Specialists meet one-on-one, help you make a plan, and link you to resources. Ask about Back 2 Work: job readiness, résumés, and job search help.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Reentry Division helps adults 18 and older who are coming home from jail or prison, or who are at risk of justice involvement. Ask for a mentor.
People in jail can call Blue Waters through the Securus phone system for a free assessment. Blue Waters covers the cost of the call.
Main intake, from outside the jail: (954) 344-0550. Public defenders, attorneys, courts, probation officers and case managers can refer a client.
Securus, from jail
We offer scholarships whenever available. We also work with people in different financial circumstances. If someone meets program criteria and is a good fit, we can generally work with them, even when a scholarship isn’t available.
2 · Work
These programs help people with records find work. Start with Honest Jobs, then use a local program for résumés, computer basics, and training.
Fair chance and second chance are not the same thing. Fair chance means the employer will consider you for the job instead of an automatic no because of a record. Second chance means the employer has said publicly that hiring people who were incarcerated is part of how they hire. A name on a list is not a promise that one location will hire you. Check before you apply.
A job board of fair-chance employers who hire people with records. Create a free account, then search by city.
Free computer basics, résumés, job-search workshops, and training. Ask about reentry services. In Miami-Dade and Monroe, use CareerSource South Florida.
Job training and career help for people reentering after incarceration. Fort Lauderdale. Call for the career center.
Workforce training and job placement. Ask about post-release employment.
South Florida workshops and reentry support, including résumé help and connections to employers.
Work you did inside counts. A kitchen, maintenance, laundry, a trade, or a class is real experience, and a skills-based résumé can lead with it. Warehousing, construction and trades, restaurant kitchens, landscaping, manufacturing, moving, and cleaning often hire people with records. Check a company before you count on it to be fair-chance. Large employers that have said so publicly are listed by the Second Chance Business Coalition.
Talking about the gap. If someone asks about the years away, keep it short and true: “I’m ready to work, I show up, and I learn fast.”
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) has given businesses a federal tax credit of up to $2,400 for hiring someone within a year of release. It lapsed at the end of 2025. Congress has renewed it back-dated before, so ask the employer to fill out IRS Form 8850 with you by the day they offer you the job.
3 · Papers
4 · Money while you look
At 65 or older, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be there based on age. No work credits are needed for SSI. Income and resource limits apply, so a job or other help can change the amount.
The starter sheet is the same plan: peer support first, then work, papers, and money while you look. Print it or save it on a phone.
Download the starter sheet (PDF) Open the printable page
A “no” isn’t the end. It’s one door. The next “yes” is out there. If you get stuck, call your peer specialist.
More local programs, including ID, food, legal help, and transportation, are on the resource list. Open it and choose the Newly released filter.
Client resources, Newly released
Call ahead to confirm hours and eligibility. Programs and benefit rules can change.
