The Quarterly | DCS Employee Newsletter Issue 9 | Page 19

CLAYTON REENTRY LAUNCHES EMPLOYMENT PILOT PROGRAM Reentry Services Division is pleased to announce the launch of a new employment Pilot Program. The Reentry Services Division, Clayton Community Supervision Office, 4 Horsemen Rehabilitation Services and Fresh Express have teamed up to develop a transition accountability program. As a collaboration, this new Pilot Program will benefit individuals under supervision as they prepare to enter the workforce. For this pilot project, the Reentry team will track a cohort of 15 individuals who are seeking employment and open to working with a personal development coach. The participants will be referrals from the Day Reporting Center counselors as well as individuals under supervision who are in need of a job and willing to work with a personal development coach. This select group of participants will be paired with a coachmentor, participate in employment workshops, work on cognitive development, personal development, and life skills all while being placed with Fresh Express for employment. The Reentry team will track outcomes of the skills training, employment workshops, cognitive behavioral interventions, and coaching-mentoring as it correlates with the overall retention rate for employment of those we serve. The program kickoff and orientation will be held on July 27, 2020. Once enrolled in the program the participants will be assigned a coach-mentor and receive an outline of program expectations. Participants will have monthly, individual coaching sessions with their personal development coach. Participants will also attend (1) group session monthly with their peers. The project will run for 6 months with a midpoint celebration as well as an end-ofprogram graduation. The overall goal of the Pilot Program is to increase the employment rate while enhancing the personal and professional development of those we serve. The Pilot Program is an effort developed by DCS Reentry Services Division staff members Renee Snead, Operations Manager East and Carolyn Johnson, Clayton Community Coordinator, who have facilitated the overall project. In addition, Valencia Miller, Statewide Reentry Services Coordinator, joined the team and spearheaded successful efforts to bring a local employer and staffing firm on board with hiring commitments.