Da’Laine Simpson served time in jail for 90 days, and it took him exactly 90 days to change his entire outlook on life.
“A lot of individuals never thought about having an exit plan when they come home,” Simpson said. “It takes all of us to work together to change the lives of these individuals who need a chance.”
While serving time at Dauphin County Prison, Simpson began shaping the framework for what would become Bro2Go — a nonprofit based in Harrisburg providing assistance to formerly incarcerated folks reentering their communities.
On Wednesday morning, Simpson chatted with Family First Health employees who set up a table at Bro2Go’s York location. The two organizations recently partnered this year to provide free blood pressure screenings and HIV testing to ex-offenders who need it.
Family First Health staffers also helped formerly incarcerated individuals enroll in and navigate insurance. While inmates might go for health screenings and have access to medication while serving time — how do those individuals continue receiving health care once released?
“We’re making sure that when these individuals get out, they have medical coverage. That way they are sustaining on their medicine and they’re not going backward,” Simpson said. “So having the partnership with Family First is vital to the reentry community.”
Under the Federal Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy, incarceration automatically strips inmates of their Medicaid coverage. There is no equivalent system to reconnect released prisoners with health insurance, according to the Boston University School of Public Health.
Erin Schmidt, community medical program manager at Family First Health, said the most important thing for her is eliminating all barriers to care. As such, the organization often collaborates with senior centers, homeless shelters — and now, Bro2Go, too.
“I have a very wonderful nurse and community health worker who will greet you with a smile and be more than happy to help you with any of your needs and talk to you privately,” Schmidt said.
By noon on Wednesday, not a single person stopped by Bro2Go’s York Location at 101 S. Queen St. in York City. The organizers said that such pop-up events can be hit or miss.
Schmidt said the stiflingly hot weather may have also played a role. That won’t stop them from continuing to get the word out, however.
Though this is the first event collaboration between Family First Health and Bro2Go, Simpson said this won’t be the last chance to receive medical care for ex-offenders.
At its York location, Bro2Go currently serves five juvenile clients and 21 adults. As part of its outreach program, Simpson and his team visit York County Prison every Monday and Wednesday to meet with both incarcerated men and women and hold life skill seminars.
The nonprofit also has a location in Harrisburg, located at 1821 Fulton St.
“What I want to connect with people is that you’re not alone. My biggest message is that you are not alone,” Simpson added. “We can take care of your basic needs support. I can show you the path and I can get you on a path.”