Travis County Reentry Resources

With a diverse and committed team, we aim to walk in a shared vision where dignity, solution-oriented practices and hope are key elements of our system of support. We strive to help formerly incarcerated individuals in their reentry process fostering empowerment and creating a space for them narrate their journeys. 

Cynthia Simons was born in Plano but moved to Austin in the third grade and has spent the majority of her life in or around Central Texas. Her passion for civil rights and equality stems back to the age of 15 when she graduated high school and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio. That passion has since been fueled by a firsthand view of disparate outcomes in marginalized communities, and bearing witness to the intergenerational harm that too often plagues communities of color. In her previous role at The Texas Center for Justice and Equity she served as the Women's Justice Director and worked on local and state level policy issues in the state. She was successful in advocating for the bipartisan passage of HB 2926 (Family Reunification bill) and was recognized in the 88th legislative session with HR 1176 for her work and efforts in Reentry. With that experience, she brings innovative solutions and excellent relationship-building wrapped in trauma informed care to Travis County Reentry Resources where she manages the Reentry department of Innovative Justice & Program Analysis. In this role she co-creates and helps craft initiatives that would support the justice-impacted population in areas of direct service needs, such as mental health and housing.  

The Reentry Resources team helps people navigate reentry at any iteration of their journey and Cynthia strives to foster a collaborative and person-centered environment.  

She is the proud mother of three children and wishes to lead by examples of inclusion and uplifting historically marginalized communities for her family and community. Cynthia is a relentless advocate, board member, and changemaker uplifting the unique collateral consequences and intersectionality of American Systems. 

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I have been working in reentry and related services since 2006 in both public and private sectors. I began my career with the Texas Workforce Commission, transitioned to a small non-profit for a few years, and ultimately joined Travis County to help develop modern reentry services for residents of the Capital Area. I am experienced and driven in developing processes, creating training curricula, database administration, data analysis and reporting. With nearly 20 years developing programs and delivering services, I continue to work to change how services are provided in the Austin / Travis County area. Reentry has been a passion more than a career, and I look forward to further contributing to the expansion of reentry services in the Austin / Travis County area into the future. 

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Melissa Nettle is a planner with the team. She has over 20 + years of experience, specializing in supporting justice-involved individuals and survivors of domestic violence. Growing up in a small community, Melissa witnessed the lack of services and unequal treatment, which inspired a deep desire to give back and make a difference in the community she grew up in. After earning a degree in social work with a minor in criminal justice, Melissa returned to her hometown to address these gaps. She spent 13 years at Goodwill, providing case management for at-risk youth and later adults through partnerships with Workforce Solutions under the WIA youth and WERC grants. With a personal passion for working with justice-involved individuals, Melissa focuses on providing resources and opportunities for system impacted individuals, helping them reintegrate into the workforce. Driven by a commitment to prevent lack of access to education, supporting individuals towards vocational trainings, and advocating for survivors of domestic violence. 

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I’ve always been driven to help individuals overcome adversity and achieve their fullest potential. Motivated by hope and passion, I have worked to foster meaningful connections within the community to ignite change and bridge the gaps with the underserved population. Witnessing the challenges and stigmas that justice-involved individuals face upon reintegration back into society sparked my mission to be a part of the solution. With over 17 years of experience in case management, reentry services, and employment relations, I developed a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding the reentry community. Using my unique blend of education, professional experience, and personal hardships I have developed a person-centered approach that leverages best practices while supporting clients to elevate past surviving and focusing on thriving. I have come to realize that reentry services not only support individuals but also touches the lives of their families and contribute to a safer and healthier community. 

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My name is Jamie Velazquez. For over 17 years, I have been helping individuals with barriers enter the workforce and providing them with the tools to be successful. I have a strong desire and motivation to help individuals retain employment and get into vocations and opportunities for an upward trajectory. I entered this field because it allowed me to give back to the community and support marginalized populations. I am committed to ensuring that all people with legal system involvement have the opportunity to enter the workforce and get wrap around services that help them stabilize while giving them educational tools that can impact intergenerational change. I strive for community collaboration and engaging in a meaningful way with all of our participants. 

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With over two decades of experience in the correctional field, I have consistently applied a person-centered approach, which focuses on supporting individuals with commitment and dedication. Since 1997, this approach has shaped my work by ensuring that each persons unique needs and potential for growth are prioritized. In the past four years working in the Reentry field, I’ve been fortunate to witness the remarkable transformations individuals experience as they reintegrate into society after incarceration. Currently, I collaborate with a committed team that stands together through even the most challenging circumstances. Our shared mission is to support participants in their journey toward positive change and successful reentry. I am proud to be part of a county that not only believes in second chances but also in helping the underserved, offering individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives with purpose and dignity. 

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I am a proud Planner with Travis County Innovative Justice Program Analysis- Reentry Resources department and currently have 5 years experience in position. I come with over 25 years experience with Criminal Justice System and Correctional Administration experience. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice. I am motivated and skilled at supporting individuals who have been in some way impacted by Criminal Justice System, with navigating Reentry tasks and gathering resources to include employment opportunities, training opportunities, emergency transitional housing, and work materials need for obtaining and maintaining employment. I am proud to provide employment readiness trainings in state prison, county jail, and state and federal transitional facilities. I believe that the hosts of skills that I empower others to use is a benefit to the individuals and the community. I am proud to be a part of County that is leading in holistic and trauma informed practices as it relates to reentry. 

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