Baltimore's Ex-Offender Employment Program and Task Force

To improve the employment outcomes for ex-offenders, Baltimore Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) facilitated the creation of the Baltimore's citywide Ex-offender Task Force (EOFT) in October 2002. EOTF membership includes more than 100 government agencies, nonprofit and community-based service providers, major foundations, advocacy groups, and faith leaders. In December 2003, EOFT issued a report that outlines barriers to effective service delivery and provides recommendations for the service improvements. To facilitate prioritizing the recommendations from the report and secure additional funding to support those priorities, a Mayoral-appointed Ex-Offender Employment Steering Committee was created in March 2004 and started the second phase of Baltimore's initiative.