Update on the Federal Prisoner Re-Entry Project (PREP)
The Prisoner Re Entry Program, or
PREP as it is known, is funded by the Federal Department of Labor and is a
program designed to help ex-offenders find and retain employment in order to
reduce recidivism. Almost a year old now, the program is recording some
wonderful successes.
What follows is an update of
what’s happening as of the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 2006.
The PREP employer bank has grown
significantly since its inception in March, 2006. Currently, it is comprised of
sixty-one (61) employers, who contact PREP staff on a regular basis to recruit
the project’s clients to fill their vacancies.
To date, nineteen (19) PREP
clients have been placed into jobs such as food service, custodial, customer
service, and skilled labor positions. The clients who have not yet secured
employment stay busy participating in the project’s pre-employment workshops,
developing resumes, job searching, and/or interviewing for prospective
jobs.
PREP staff continues to offer
monthly employer workshops where clients have the opportunity to talk with
employers and set up job interviews on site at the PREP office. These
workshops are designed to enhance and continually improve the clients’ opportunities
for job placement.
Project PREP remains the newest
member of the Job Developers Consortium (JDC) of Greater Hartford. The JDC is a
unique association of area job developers working together to establish
positive collaborations in the Greater Hartford area. The job developers
meet monthly to discuss job placement issues, transportation needs, and other
pertinent issues.
Twelve (12) mentoring groups have
been held and twenty six (26) clients attended. Four (4) clients successfully
completed the mentoring program, which is comprised of five sessions.
During this report period,
nineteen (19) clients benefited from FIC’s home-based
family education sessions which included members of the clients’ families. At
their request, FIC provided five (5) of these nineteen
(19) clients and/or their families with the additional service of on-going
family counseling to help them adjust to re-entry issues, including employment.
During this report period, PREP
staff utilized a community resource called Gift of Sight. This program pays for
eyeglasses for individuals who can’t afford an eye exam and glasses. Two (2)
clients to date have benefited from this service.
In addition to CPA, the lead
agency on the project, PREP partners include:
·
The Urban League of
Greater
·
Families in Crisis (FIC)
·
The
·
The South Arsenal
Neighborhood Development Corporation (SAND)
·
Our Piece of the Pie (OPP)
·
Co-Opportunity, Inc.
(Co-Op)
·
Capital Workforce
Partners (CWP)
Here’s a sample PREP success
story:
G. C. is the PREP “Client of the
Quarter”. G. C. came to PREP having no food, health insurance, or a place to
live. She was also in desperate need of employment. PREP staff helped her
obtain health insurance, housing, employment, and assisted her with
transportation. She was also referred to community resources for
assistance with food.
In addition, G. C. had substance
abuse needs. PREP linked her to necessary addiction services/relapse
prevention, and she has been clean and sober for the past five (5)
months.
Currently, G.C.
is working for a dry cleaning company, where she earns on average $800.00
bi-weekly. She has attained “point of stability” status in the MIS
system.
G. C. is a very positive person
who was well served by PREP and is an inspiration for newly released women
offenders.