The Black Coalition of Forensic Peer Support Specialists

04/15/2026

The Role Accountability in Forensic Peer Support

Accountability is the key element of Forensic peer support practice.

Peer support encourages responsibility, structured goal setting, and personal ownership of decisions.

The role is supportive -not supervisory and reinforces self determination within Professional boundaries.

04/10/2026

Supporting Individuals During Reentry

Reentry can involve multiple transitions, including housing, employment, supervision, requirements, and community reintegration.

Forensic Peer Support provides structured guidance during these transitions.

Support may include resource navigation, encouragement, and reinforcement of accountability.

more by following TBCFPSS

04/02/2026

TO OBTAIN BLUE CARD:

To get training for volunteering in state prisons, contact the Facility Volunteer Coordinator or the Chaplain at the specific prison where you wish to serve. Training typically requires a background check, application submission, and attendance at a mandatory orientation session.

Prison Fellowship

Steps and Contacts for Prison Volunteer Training:

State Department of Corrections (DOC): Contact the Volunteer Services department of your state's corrections department. For example, in Georgia, contact chaplaincy.services@gdc.ga.gov.

NC Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC): Reach out via their Community Volunteer Program to get connected with facility coordinators who handle training and certification.

Prison Fellowship: They offer training courses to prepare volunteers and can help connect you with teams in your state.

Yokefellow Prison Ministry: Provides specialized training for volunteers, reachable via Carlton Gooding or by filling out their online volunteer application.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Interested volunteers can use the Inside Influence system to register, find opportunities, and start the application process.

03/31/2026

Congratulations 🎊🎉🎉🥳

03/31/2026

CONGRATULATIONS🎉🎉🥳🥳 TO ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS ON RECEIVING BLUE CARD TO GO INSIDE OF PRISON AND VOLUNTEER

03/24/2026

HAPPY 2ND YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US TBCFPSS!!!!! 🥳🎉

03/18/2026

Congratulations 🎊🎊🎉

Congratulations to these offenders at the South Dakota State Penitentiary who recently completed Thinking for the Future!

Thinking for the Future is a Peer Companion led group that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles to explore values, goals, emotion control, and problem solving. Peer Companions are trained in Mental Health First Aid and facilitate a wide variety of support groups for the offenders housed at SDSP.

03/16/2026

Reentry Outcomes: Why Structured Support Matters for Justice-Impacted Individuals

By The Black Coalition of Forensic Peer Support Specialists:

Reentry is one of the most critical stages in the justice system. When individuals return to their communities after incarceration, they face a transition that can determine whether they successfully rebuild their lives or encounter barriers that increase the risk of returning to the system. Reentry outcomes—such as employment, housing stability, recovery support, and community integration—are essential indicators of long-term success.

At The Black Coalition of Forensic Peer Support Specialists, we believe that structured support, ethical practice, and lived experience play a vital role in improving outcomes for justice-impacted individuals. Reentry is not simply about release from incarceration; it is about creating sustainable pathways to stability, accountability, and personal growth.

Understanding Reentry Challenges:
Individuals returning from incarceration often encounter numerous barriers that can make reintegration difficult. These challenges frequently include limited employment opportunities, lack of stable housing, transportation barriers, untreated mental health needs, substance use recovery challenges, and stigma within the community.

Without structured support systems, individuals may struggle to meet basic needs such as obtaining identification documents, securing employment, or accessing healthcare services. These barriers can significantly impact an individual's ability to rebuild their life and maintain stability.

This is why comprehensive reentry support must focus on multiple areas of need simultaneously rather than addressing a single issue.

Key Factors That Improve Reentry Outcomes:
Research and community experience consistently show that several key factors significantly improve reentry outcomes.

11/30/2025

We will be out in the Tryon Corridor (Charlotte) community today!!!

📢 Community Announcement!
Join The Black Coalition of Forensic Peer Support Specialists (TBCFPSS) for a Harm Reduction Community Workshop on Sunday, November 30th from 11 AM – 3 PM at Sleep Inn (8525 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28262).

We’re coming together to provide:
💛 Overdose prevention education
💛 Free harm reduction kits & Narcan distribution
💛 Community resources
💛 Peer support connections
💛 Vendor tables and local support services

🔍 We are also looking for volunteers!
Help with setup, clean-up, kit distribution, and community engagement.

📣 Vendors Wanted
If your organization would like to participate, register here:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctsGHAzG-R5P5OV_qFtYHsUm83Q_Mkgyel4F0Lebp1JfpCeA/viewform?usp=header

Please share widely!
Together, we can uplift our community and support harm reduction across Mecklenburg County.

11/24/2025

📣 TBCFPSS is excited to announce TWO upcoming Forensic Peer Support Trainings this December!

NC Certified Peer Support Specialists with lived justice-system experience are invited to apply for these intensive, 18-credit-hour trainings designed to strengthen skills, deepen knowledge, and expand capacity across North Carolina.

✨ WILKES COUNTY TRAINING
📅 December 3–5, 2025
🕘 9am–5pm
📍 The Meeting Space – N. Wilkesboro, NC
⏳ Apply by November 30, 2025

✨ VANCE COUNTY TRAINING
📅 December 19–21, 2025
🕘 9am–5pm
📍 Laugh N’ Learn Academy – Henderson, NC
⏳ Apply by December 12, 2025

📄 Flyers with full details & QR code applications are attached.
Let’s continue building a strong, informed Forensic Peer Support network across NC!

*Scholarship availability is limited and contingent on available funding.*