Richland, MO – June 10, 2025 – Central Ozarks Medical Center (COMC) is one of only two Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Missouri to receive the Quality Improvement Fund – Transitioning Justice-Involved (QIF-TJI) grant. This funding allows COMC to embed a dedicated Reentry Navigator inside the Pulaski County Jail, offering justice-involved individuals critical support beginning 90 days prior to release.
This initiative—developed in collaboration with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office—aims to break the cycle of incarceration by addressing root causes such as addiction, mental health challenges, and poverty, and by providing individuals with personalized assistance in areas like job placement, housing, healthcare access, and benefit reactivation.
“Reintegration doesn’t start after release—it starts inside our jail, and this move reflects that philosophy,” said Pulaski County Sheriff Stacy Ball. “We’re not just warehousing inmates. We’re working to break the cycle, restore dignity, and give people the tools they need to become productive members of society again. This is more than a program—it’s a new mindset. It’s good for the inmates, it’s good for public safety, and it’s good for Pulaski County.”
The Reentry Navigator will be fully integrated into jail operations and focus entirely on connecting individuals with lifesaving support services—including Medicaid/Medicare reactivation, drug rehabilitation, behavioral health counseling, and job-readiness resources.
“This grant empowers COMC to walk alongside individuals at a critical turning point in their lives,” said DawnElyn Schneider, Chief Population Health and Network Development Officer at COMC. “By starting the reintegration process before release, we can better connect people to the care and stability they need to succeed. This is a community-based approach to justice that restores hope and builds healthier futures for everyone.”
COMC remains committed to improving the health and well-being of all individuals across central Missouri, and the Reentry Navigator program is another step in providing equitable, wraparound care for those most in need. For more information about COMC or the Reentry Navigator program, visit www.centralozarks.org
About Central Ozarks Medical Center:
Central Ozarks Medical Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) delivering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services to patients of all ages—regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.