LA County's RENEW Program: A Reentry Employment Resource for Justice-Impacted Residents

If you or someone you care about has been incarcerated and is now looking for work in Los Angeles County, the newly launched RENEW program — Reentry Employment, Navigation, Engagement, and Wellbeing — may be one of the most targeted local resources available to you right now. Administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), RENEW is designed specifically for justice-impacted residents who face significant barriers to employment because of their criminal history.

This article breaks down what RENEW offers, who it may serve, how to access it, and what other federal and state workforce programs may be available alongside it.

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Data Snapshot

Reentry employment barriers are well-documented at the federal level. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, formerly incarcerated individuals face unemployment rates that are estimated to be over 27% in the period immediately following release — a figure that dwarfs the general population unemployment rate. Nationally, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) — the primary federal law funding workforce development programs — served approximately 1.6 million participants in Program Year 2022, with a specific priority population designation for justice-involved individuals (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta). In California alone, WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker funding exceeded $270 million in federal allocations for that same program year, a portion of which flows through county-level workforce boards like the one overseeing LA County's DEO.

These numbers underscore why targeted local programs like RENEW matter: federal funding exists, but navigating it without a dedicated navigator is difficult. RENEW is built to close that gap.

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What Is the RENEW Program?

RENEW is a workforce and support services initiative launched by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity. The program's name reflects its four core pillars:

  • Reentry Employment — Connecting participants to job opportunities and employer partnerships that are open to hiring people with records
  • Navigation — Helping participants move through the complex landscape of public benefits, legal aid, housing, and workforce services
  • Engagement — Ongoing case management and community connection to keep participants supported throughout their job search
  • Wellbeing — Addressing mental health, substance use recovery, and other personal stability needs that affect employment outcomes

This is not a simple job board or one-time workshop. RENEW is designed as a wraparound model, meaning it attempts to address the full picture of what someone leaving incarceration may need to successfully enter or re-enter the workforce.

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Who May Be Served by RENEW?

RENEW is targeted at justice-impacted residents of Los Angeles County. This generally includes individuals who:

  • Have been previously incarcerated (county jail, state prison, or federal facility)
  • Are currently on probation or parole
  • Have a criminal record that has created barriers to employment
  • Reside in or are returning to Los Angeles County

The program does not appear to have a strict income cutoff in the way that federal benefit programs do, but as a county-administered workforce program, it is designed for people facing economic hardship as a result of their justice involvement. Program capacity may affect availability, so contacting the DEO directly to confirm current enrollment status is strongly recommended.

Important: Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

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How to Access RENEW: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Contact LA County's Department of Economic Opportunity

The DEO is the administering agency for RENEW. You can reach them through the LA County workforce development network, which includes America's Job Centers of California (AJCC) locations throughout the county. These are the physical access points where you can meet with a workforce specialist.

To find your nearest AJCC location, visit the California Employment Development Department's office locator or contact the LA County DEO directly through their official county website at deo.lacounty.gov.

Step 2: Request a RENEW Intake Appointment

When you contact an AJCC or the DEO, specifically ask about the RENEW program for justice-impacted residents. Staff can schedule an intake appointment where a case manager will assess your situation, employment goals, and what services may be available to you.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Bring the following to your intake appointment if possible — having these ready can speed up the process:

  • Government-issued photo ID (state ID, driver's license, or passport)
  • Social Security card or proof of Social Security number
  • Proof of LA County residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or letter from a shelter or transitional housing program)
  • Release paperwork from your most recent incarceration (if available — this is helpful but may not be strictly required)
  • Any existing parole or probation documentation (if applicable)
  • Work history information, even informal or prior to incarceration

If you don't have all of these documents, don't let that stop you from showing up. Workforce navigators are often experienced in helping people obtain missing documents like birth certificates and state IDs as part of the reentry process.

Step 4: Develop Your Employment Plan

Once enrolled, you'll work with a RENEW navigator or case manager to build an individualized employment plan. This may include:

  • Skills assessments
  • Referrals to vocational training or certification programs
  • Job placement assistance with employers who participate in fair chance hiring
  • Connections to supportive services (housing, mental health, legal aid)

Step 5: Stay Engaged with Your Case Manager

RENEW's model emphasizes ongoing engagement, not just a one-time referral. Regular check-ins with your assigned navigator are part of how the program is designed to work. Staying in contact — even when things get difficult — is one of the most important things you can do to get the most out of the program.

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Federal Programs That May Work Alongside RENEW

RENEW is a county-level program, but several federal programs may also be available to justice-impacted individuals in LA County and across the country:

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) WIOA is the primary federal workforce development law. It funds job training, career counseling, and employment services through a network of American Job Centers nationwide. Justice-involved individuals are a designated priority population under WIOA, meaning they may receive priority access to services. Income eligibility thresholds apply for some WIOA-funded programs — generally targeting individuals at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for adult programs, though this varies by local workforce board.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) People with certain felony drug convictions may face SNAP restrictions depending on their state, but California has opted out of the federal drug felony ban, meaning most justice-impacted Californians may be eligible for SNAP if they meet income requirements (generally at or below 130% FPL for gross income). SNAP can provide critical food support while you're in job training or searching for work.

Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) Healthcare coverage through Medi-Cal may be available to justice-impacted individuals who meet income thresholds (generally up to 138% FPL for adults under the ACA expansion). Medi-Cal can cover mental health services and substance use treatment — both of which RENEW's wellbeing component may connect you to.

Federal Bonding Program Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonds to employers who hire at-risk job seekers, including people with criminal records. This can make employers more willing to hire you. Ask your RENEW navigator or AJCC workforce specialist about connecting you to this program.

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Fair Chance Hiring: What It Means for You

Los Angeles County has been an active participant in fair chance hiring initiatives, which limit when and how employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process. California's statewide Fair Chance Act (AB 1008) prohibits most employers with five or more employees from asking about criminal history before making a conditional job offer. RENEW's employer partnerships are likely to include businesses that have committed to fair chance hiring practices, which may improve your job search outcomes.

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People Also Ask

Q: Is the RENEW program only for people recently released from prison? A: RENEW appears to serve a broad range of justice-impacted individuals, not just those recently released. This may include people on probation or parole, or those with older records still affecting their employment. Contact the LA County DEO directly to confirm whether your specific situation makes you a candidate for the program.

Q: Does RENEW provide financial assistance or cash benefits? A: RENEW is a workforce and navigation program, not a cash assistance program. It focuses on employment services, training referrals, and wraparound support. For financial assistance, separate programs like CalWORKs or General Relief may be available depending on your household situation and income.

Q: Can I access RENEW if I'm still incarcerated but close to release? A: Some reentry programs do offer pre-release planning services. It's worth contacting the LA County DEO or asking your facility's case manager whether RENEW or connected programs offer any pre-release enrollment or orientation options.

Q: What if I live outside of Los Angeles County — are there similar programs available? A: Yes. WIOA-funded reentry workforce services are available in every state through America's Job Centers. Visit Benefits.gov or your state's workforce development agency website to find programs in your area. Program availability and structure will vary significantly by location.

Q: Will participating in RENEW affect my public benefits like SNAP or Medi-Cal? A: Participating in a workforce or job training program generally does not negatively affect SNAP or Medi-Cal eligibility and may actually satisfy work-related requirements for some programs. However, as your income changes through employment, your benefit amounts may be adjusted. Speak with a benefits counselor or your RENEW navigator for guidance specific to your situation.

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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.

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Last reviewed: July 2026