Accelerating Reintegration and Improving Access for ExOffenders ARIA

Accelerating Reintegration and Improving Access for Ex-Offenders (ARIA) Maiknue Vang Deputy Director Madera County WDB Chris Rodriguez Correctional Lieutenant Madera Dept. of Corrections Jose Pantoja Deputy Chief Probation Officer Madera Dept. of Probation

Early Partnerships • In 2011, California voters passed Assembly Bill 109 known as "realignment. ” • This bill was to divert people convicted of certain classes of less serious felonies (non-serious, nonviolent, and non-sex related) from the state prisons to local county jails. • Madera Business and Career News: https: //podcasts. apple. com/us/podcast/e 12 -helping-the-reentrypopulation-find-meaningful-work/id 1396071647? i=1000444458621

Key Issues • PY 2016 -2017, only 19% of customers were probation-referred and less than 10% were in-custody participants. • Improve access for ex-offenders to AJCC system services using an accelerated approach to service delivery to increase participation in AJCC services both pre- and postrelease.

Big Idea • Embed an AJCC Career Specialist (CS) into the Department of Corrections (DOC) facility and the Madera County Probation Department to work with both pre-release and post-release ex-offenders. • CS housed at DOC Tuesday – Friday, 811 am, to coordinate with staff on transition planning and connections to services post release. • CS housed at Probation on Monday, 8 -11 am, to strengthen connections to skill development, education, employment, and the broader menu of AJCC & community services.

Project Goals # referred to and participating in AJCC system services # completed educational activities # entered employment Recidivism during program participation and in 12 months after exit

Pre-Release Services ü 4 -week workshop for in-custody participants ü 120 days of release from DOC. May also include individuals that DOC staff deem appropriate. ü 2 hours per day, 10 hours each week, inside the correctional facility üWorkshop conducted Monday through Friday üGroups of no more than 15 individuals

Pre-Release Curriculum Topics include, but are not limited to: A Second Chance, A Better Choice Assessments Job Search Planning & Resources Career Research Labor Market Information Transition Planning Building Networks Financial Literacy Essential Workforce Skills Self-esteem and Confidence Building Effective Interviewing Employment Portfolios (application, cover letter, resume, references, etc. Mock Interviews

Pre-Release Mock Interviews • Mock interviews allow participants to practice what they have been learning. • Interview panels comprised of Business Specialists, local employers, and WDB board members. • Panelists provide feedback to program participants regarding the critical skills employers look for when hiring new employees. • Participants are provided business attire for the interviews.

Post Release Workshops • 3 hour dedicated Orientation and Cal. JOBs system registration/job search workshop • Offered 4 times a month to individuals who are referred from Probation • Held at the AJCC

Post Release Resource Fairs

Outcomes Pre-ARIA (PY 2016/2017) • Ex-offender referrals • Less than 10% from incustody • 19% from probation • 69 enrolled in WIOA • 26 total training • 9 skills training credential • 22 employed • 43% recidivism rate ARIA (2/2018 -7/2019) • 429 ex-offender referrals • 59% from in-custody • 22% from probation • 3% from Parole • 16% from MCWIC • 91 enrolled in WIOA • 30% from in-custody • 23% from probation • 1% parole • 46% from MCWIC • 23 total training • 7 skills training credential • 26 employed • 15% recidivism rate

Where are we now? Challenges Solutions/Lessons • • Booking report, DSS, CSS • WIOA paper application • Fresno State’s digital literacy class • MAX/Madera County Connection • Self-esteem & confidence building • Habitat for Humanity • OK if they just want a job I-9/Right to Work Docs Internet/Computer Digital literacy Transportation Personal assumptions Transitional Housing No interest in training

Q & A Maiknue Vang mvang@maderaworkforce. org 559 -662 -4503 Chris Rodriguez clrodriguez@maderacounty. com 559 -675 -7951 Jose Pantoja jpantoja@maderacounty. com 559 -675 -6739