First Step Act

Former White House Staffers to Release New Book in September

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Small Business Administration Cabinet official Chris Pilkerton and former White House Director of Urban Policy Ja'Ron Smith today announced their upcoming book, Underserved: Harnessing the Principles of Lincoln's Vision for Reconstruction for Today's Forgotten Communities, will be released on September 5, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The book will explore Lincoln's intentions for Reconstruction, how they came up short following Lincoln's death, and how those shortcomings continue to impact underserved communities to this day.
  • "This book is the culmination of years of work on behalf of underserved communities," said Pilkerton.
  • Their book gives an inside look into how the Trump White House achieved these wins and provides an actionable guide for policymakers looking to replicate those successes from a conservative perspective.
  • "I have my roots in an underserved community, so this book is especially near and dear to my heart," said Smith.

ARNOLD VENTURES ANNOUNCES KEVIN RING OF FAMM AS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Arnold Ventures (AV) announced Kevin Ring, currently the President of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), will join AV as the new Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy, a role that will help shape criminal justice reform legislative efforts on the Hill and in dozens of states across the country.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON and HOUSTON, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Arnold Ventures (AV) announced Kevin Ring, currently the President of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), will join AV as the new Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy, a role that will help shape criminal justice reform legislative efforts on the Hill and in dozens of states across the country.
  • "I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for this role than Kevin Ring, who has been on the forefront of almost every major successful criminal justice reform effort for the past decade," said James Williams, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at Arnold Ventures.
  • "As president of FAMM, an AV grantee, I experienced firsthand their commitment to criminal justice reforms that create safer communities and stronger families.
  • Jeremy Travis, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures: "I have worked for decades in the criminal justice reform movement, and Kevin Ring is one of the finest advocates I have come across.

Former Senator Chuck Grassley Chief of Staff Aaron Cummings Joins Crowell & Moring

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 1, 2023

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron Cummings, former chief of staff to Republican U.S. Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the most senior member of the U.S. Senate, has joined Crowell & Moring to serve as co-chair of the firm's bipartisan Government Affairs Group with partner Jim Flood, former Counsel to Sen. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). 

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron Cummings, former chief of staff to Republican U.S.
  • The addition strengthens the firm's government affairs depth, building on the Schumer-McConnell-Gillibrand team of Flood, Scott Douglas , and Kate Beale .
  • Cummings is a Congressional policy advocate who also served as chief constitution and crime counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee when Grassley was the ranking member of the panel.
  • Cummings advised then-Senate Judiciary chairman Grassley on legal and policy issues related to constitutional, civil rights, criminal, and administrative law.

First Step House Taps Kipu Health's Technology to Support the Entire Patient Journey

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 20, 2023

CORAL GABLES, Fla. and SALT LAKE CITY, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kipu Health, the technology partner for mental health and addiction service providers, and First Step House, a comprehensive behavioral health and homeless services provider where people learn and practice the skills necessary to live productive and meaningful lives, today announced First Step is leveraging Kipu's full technology suite to power its comprehensive patient care.

Key Points: 
  • With this agreement, Kipu will provide First Step with its complete technology platform, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) solutions.
  • "We offer a suite of patient-centered and evidenced-based programs, so we need technology that supports each facet of care across the continuum.
  • Kipu's innovative technology platform is designed to optimize operations across the entire patient journey.
  • By leveraging Kipu's comprehensive services and solutions, First Step will also benefit from data and analytics, interoperability capabilities and clinical insights that support holistic patient care.

Emmy Nominated Actor, Ameer Baraka, Launches New Book "UNDIAGNOSED: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 11, 2022

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- October is International Dyslexia Month, and Ameer Baraka, award-winning, Emmy Nominated Actor, author, and dyslexia advocate, has launched his newest book, "UNDIAGNOSED: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia."

Key Points: 
  • NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- October is International Dyslexia Month, and Ameer Baraka, award-winning, Emmy Nominated Actor, author, and dyslexia advocate, has launched his newest book, "UNDIAGNOSED: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia."
  • The book promotes early detection of the learning disability in schools, and awareness and support for prison inmates in the United States.
  • UNDIAGNOSED: The Ugly Side of Dyslexiais an enlightening read detailing the often-traumatic experiences of illiterate children and adults.
  • I wanted to shake my fists in the air, and tell everyone that we collectively failed Ameer, and we cannot continue to let this happen to anyone else."

Former Trump Advisor Launches 'Public Safety Solutions for America' Coalition

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 6, 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Trump advisor Ja'Ron Smith today announced the formal launch of Public Safety Solutions for America, an alliance of non-profit organizations and leaders with a smart-on-crime approach to improving public safety.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Trump advisor Ja'Ron Smith today announced the formal launch of Public Safety Solutions for America, an alliance of non-profit organizations and leaders with a smart-on-crime approach to improving public safety.
  • During the Trump administration, Smith led White House efforts to secure passage of the First Step Act.
  • "As violent crime continues to spike, the work of this coalition could not be more urgent," said Smith.
  • The new coalition aims to combat this disturbing crime trend by aiding federal, state, and local leaders in adopting smarter solutions to preventing violent crime and increasing public safety.

MAPS, in Coordination with Allies, Assists U.S. Sentencing Commission in Reaching Quorum

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Meaningful federal sentencing reform must ensure that people are no longer penalized and persecuted for those choices.

Key Points: 
  • Meaningful federal sentencing reform must ensure that people are no longer penalized and persecuted for those choices.
  • Its main focuses include establishing sentencing policies, advising Congress and the executive branch in developing criminal justice policy, and analyzing and distributing information on federal sentencing issues.
  • MAPS has submitted testimony about the sentencing guidelines related to MDMA to the United States Sentencing Commission in furtherance of this goal.
  • MAPS will remain engaged with the USSC by encouraging reform to the sentencing guidelines related to MDMA, all psychedelics, and other drugs.

Othram Appoints Brendan Belair as Chief Strategy Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 26, 2022

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Othram, the leading forensic sequencing laboratory for law enforcement, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan Belair as Chief Strategy Officer.

Key Points: 
  • THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Jan. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Othram, the leading forensic sequencing laboratory for law enforcement, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan Belair as Chief Strategy Officer.
  • Mr. Belair, an attorney and seventeen-year Capitol Hill and political campaign veteran, most recently served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee.
  • Mr. Belair is the latest appointment to Othram's executive team following the appointments of Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Singer, formerly the Vice President of Operations Sales and Global Marketing at BODE Technology and Chief Business Development Officer Kristen Mittelman.
  • "Othram has eliminated scientific and technological barriers to solving previously unsolvable sex assaults and homicides," said Othram CEO David Mittelman.

US BEHIND THE WALLS: STATE OF MICHIGAN SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 13, 2021

The founder and Executive director of the organization is Michael Andersen, CEO president of Tyco Media Group Beverly Hills, California, and has appointed Cynthia Haynes from Flint, Michigan as the community board member for the state of Michigan.

Key Points: 
  • The founder and Executive director of the organization is Michael Andersen, CEO president of Tyco Media Group Beverly Hills, California, and has appointed Cynthia Haynes from Flint, Michigan as the community board member for the state of Michigan.
  • The second initiative would give inmates earned time credits for good behavior and positive programming.
  • The third initiative is to reform the Michigan parole board with the goal of making it more transparent and representative of the community.
  • We believe that the public should have more say in the criminal justice system and Michigan Second Chance Initiative is the first step in that process.

Cannabis Freedom Alliance Endorses Rep. Mace’s States Reform Act

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 15, 2021

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA) announced that it has endorsed the States Reform Act.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA) announced that it has endorsed the States Reform Act.
  • The States Reform Act is the truly principled vehicle for conservatives, libertarian, and all who value limited government to support cannabis reform.
  • The States Reform Act:
    Institutes a 3% federal excise tax on those products to fund law enforcement and small business programs.
  • Weldon Angelos, co-Coordinator of CFAs Steering Committee and head of Mission Green/The Weldon Project, said: The States Reform Act represents exciting movement towards compromise on the cannabis criminal justice issue and progress-building on the First Step Act.