thinking outside the cell: providing educational opportunities for offenders & ex-offenders inta...
TRANSCRIPT
Thinking Outside The Cell: Providing Educational Opportunities
For Offenders & Ex-Offenders
Inta Morris Dawn Taylor OwensSenior Director, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Gateway ProgramColorado Department of Higher Education Red Rocks Community [email protected] [email protected]
Ross Kimbrel Catherine LachmanAssociate Director of Education Executive Director, College in ColoradoColorado Department of Corrections Colorado Department of Higher [email protected] [email protected]
To Help Get Us Started: Audience Poll
Using the chat feature, please let us know which category best describes your role at your institution.
A. AdministratorB. Academic AdvisingC. Admissions/Enrollment ManagementD. Student AffairsE. FacultyF. Other (please specify)
Please choose the statement below that best describes your
institution:
A. We currently do not work with our department of corrections nor have a program for ex-offenders.
B. We have contacts at our department of corrections and/or are in the beginning stages of discussions about a program for ex-offenders.
C. We have a program in place, but we are looking for ways of improving it.
CDOC Division of Education
The mission of the CDOC Division of Education is to assist in reducing offender recidivism by:
1) Providing outcome and evidence-based Academic, Social Science, and Career and Technical Education programs; and
2) Ensuring that offenders obtain entry level marketable job skills prior to community re-entry.
Building a safer Colorado for today and tomorrow – CDOC Vision Statement
Education Programs
AcademicCareer & Technical Education
Cognitive Education
Academic
• ESL – English as a Second Language
• ABE – Adult Basic Education
• GED – General Education Development
• SPED – Special Education
Teacher Licensing
• The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) awards all academic teaching licenses.
• Adult Basic Education Authorization (ABEA) – license approved by CDE for teaching adult learners
• All CDOC teachers must maintain CDE sanctioned licenses.
Academic
Career and Technical Education
Colorado Community College System Approved Career &
Technical Trades• Business Technologies• Collision Repair• Communications
Technology• Construction
Technology• Cosmetology• Custodial• Customer Service• Electronics• Food Production
• Heavy Equipment• Horticulture &
Landscaping• Manufacturing
Technology• Transportation
Technology• Wildland Firefighting• Cisco Networking
POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS OFFERED IN CAREER & TECHNICAL
EDUCATION (CTE)
• All CTE programs have common core numbering with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS)
• All programs and certificates are approved by CCCS• All instructors are credentialed in their trade through
the CCCS process• Upon course completion offenders receive grades
and transcripts from Pueblo Community College• Offenders are placed into CCCS Banner (student
tracking) system
Inmate Apprenticeship Program
A partnership between the Colorado Department of Corrections and the United States Department of Labor
Currently over 350 offenders enrolled in @ 50 programs
CDOC Educational Statistics• Daily student enrollments: 4,000• GED Certificates passed FY 12/13: 980• Individual GED test passed: 5,015• First in nation for GED CBT in corrections• 44 CBT completers since September ‘12 • CCCS approved CTE certificates: 3,048• In FY 12-13 over 6500 offenders enrolled
in approved CCCS CTE courses
Industry Approved Certification
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)• Offenders receive CCCS credit while working toward NCCER
blue card• Nationally approved program with curriculum accepted by
private construction trades• Have established basic sustainable energy program
approved by NCCER and accepted by CCCS• Cisco Networking Academies
• Federal 2nd Chance Act grant for technology training for offenders
• Implemented in 7 facilities• Previous pilot program at DWCF• Currently expanding to 2 additional facilities
College In Colorado
• DOC Division of Education assisted “College In Colorado” in preparing the “Own Your Future” micro-site for ex-offenders.
(You’ll hear more!)
• Currently developing an interagency agreement to provide further post secondary educational services to releasing offenders
Pre-Release and Community Re-Entry
(Division of Adult Parole, Community Corrections & YOS)
• Pre-Release and Community Re-Entry promote personal accountability and responsibility for success in the community by offering evidence based practices, resources and community collaborations to promote successful pre-release planning and community transition.
• These services and resources provide offenders the opportunity to be responsible, pro-active citizens who are accountable for their own behaviors.
Career and Community Resource Center
• Up-to-Date Statewide Community Resources
• Career Assessments and Exploration Tools
• Job Search and Resume Writing Tools
• Computer-Based Courses
• Online Job Application and Internet Simulator
• Education, Training and Apprenticeship Resources
• Key Train Work Skills Program
• JobView (20,000 current job postings)
Service Delivery• Employment Assistance
Resume Job Search Work tools/clothing
• Education/Vocational Assistance• Benefit Acquisition Assistance
Social Security Disability Insurance Vocational Rehabilitation Veterans Assistance CICP, AND
• Housing Assistance • Psychotropic medication• Transportation Assistance • Clothing/Hygiene • Identification Cards
“For every dollar spent on Correctional Education, two dollars are returned to the taxpayer in reduced recidivism costs.”
Dr. Stephen J. SteurerCorrections Education Association
Project Director
Does your state’s department of corrections have similar programs
in cooperation with community colleges?
Please answer using the chat feature:yesnonot sure
Red Rocks Community College Gateway Program
Established in 2006, the Gateway Program was specifically designed to work with former offenders in helping them to make positive and long lasting changes in their thinking and actions which will contribute to their personal success and well being.
What Sets Gateway Apart?
Our Focus: Meaning and Purpose
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”
…….Nietzsche
Five Major Tenets of the Program
Tenet #1Every human being, no matter what their background, has a purpose and a meaning to their life and it is in this process of discovery that true change is possible.
Five Major Tenets of the Program
Tenet #2During the change process it is important to have a strong support system.
Five Major Tenets of the Program
Tenet #3Personal Accountability
Five Major Tenets of the Program
Tenet #4Giving Back
Five Major Tenets of the Program
Tenet #5Changing the way we think
Discussion with the Audience
Does the Gateway Program sound like something you would want to replicate at your institution? What sounds like the hardest part:
A. Convincing the institution’s administrationB. Attracting willing program participantsC. Sustaining the program
Own Your Future
Brought to you by College In Colorado, a Division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Finding a Job; Work in Progress View
Completed Portfolio Activities:
Work ExperiencesJob Search Activities
Your Work Landing Page with Progress Notes
Marked Activities not Yet Completed:
Navigation helps user continue where they left off
Back to School Landing Page
Why education Is important• Research shows there is a
drastically decreased likelihood of an educated ex-offender reoffending
• Even if education does not immediately translate into a job, education has been shown to improve confidence, which reduces recidivism
• Possibilities of finding a job increase with higher education
The Current Job Market
Own Your Future helps people realize education is available to
anyone
www.innovativeeducators.org