Work First, Train Concurrently

The Second Chance Act Technology Careers Training Demonstration Projects for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles is designed to provide resources to states, units of local government, and federally recognized tribes for career training in the area of technology for offenders. Grantees must identify a process for assessment and selection of a specific subset of the population of offenders incarcerated in a prison, jail, juvenile facility, juvenile camp, juvenile community-based program, or juvenile residential facility. Offenders must participate in Project activities during the three-year period prior to release into the community. This Program furthers the Department of Justice commitment to providing services and programs to help facilitate the successful integration of offenders as they return to their communities.

The Technology Career Trainings must include a curriculum that helps participants acquire and develop skills needed to build potentially successful careers in technology-related fields. The training curriculum must identify necessary skills and competencies, provide real-world work experience, teach transferable job skills and soft skills to help prepare for post-release reentry and employment, and provide resources to support training in technology areas. The specific type of technology-based job(s) incorporated into the training program is at the discretion of each grantee. However, the grantee must be able to justify the selected training as technology-related. Some examples of technology-based field include, but are not limited, to the following: computer assisted design in engineering; information technology; Braille transcription training and certification; wireless and broadband deployment; technician positions; computer hardware/software; and computer science and programming. Where applicable, the trainings should result in a recognized certificate, degree, or license that indicates a level of mastery and competence in the selected technology focus area. The technology career trainings must restrict access to the Internet by incarcerated persons, as appropriate, to ensure public safety.

Montgomery County Maryland, through its Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR) and Montgomery College, will offer training opportunities to all of the 550 individuals transferred from local, state, and federal correctional institutions to the Montgomery County Pre-Release Center (PRC). Under this project, Workforce Solutions Group - the operator of the County's four Montgomery Works One Stop Career Centers - will support the residents through the training programs and steer them to appropriate job placements that will make use of their skills and training. Participants will have a comprehensive and individualized reentry plan that addresses such issues as treatment, health, housing, and family engagement. These services will also include those offered by the County's Health and Human Services Department, onsite GED classes, and onsite mentoring services. At the Pre-Release Center, project funds will equip one classroom that will be used to teach the Technology Careers Training curriculum. Areas taught will include: 1) a 10-hour course on digital literacy; 2) a 32-hour class in basic computer skills; and 3) an industry-recognized certificate program at Montgomery College.

CA/NCF