Evidence-Based Workforce Development – Regional Training Series

Description

The National Institute of Correction (NIC) is committed to establishing collaborative relationships with various tribal, local, state, and Federal Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies to increase the opportunity for post-release success (defined as maintaining a prosocial lifestyle and sustained attachment to the workforce). In addition, NIC’s emphasis on research-based practices and programming requires structured training to provide criminal justice practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to support the reentry goals of justice-involved adults, thereby increasing public safety. The process for supporting the workforce development efforts of justice-involved adults involves the migration from a 'face “face them and place them”' perspective towards an approach that incorporates assessments, services and support. This transformative model helps expands the scope of workforce services while helping improve employment and job retention outcomes. This model increases self- awareness, helps identify strengths and weaknesses, and encourages the individual to assume greater ownership for their life’s work'. Transformational workforce development builds upon the communication style of the practitioner to address the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of the justice-involved adult. This “ hand in glove'’ process combines motivational interviewing techniques with cognitive behavioral principles to address the issues impacting the offender'’s offender’s ability to secure and maintain gainful attachment to the workforce while maintaining a crime-free lifestyle; and supported by a community of practice, promotes public safety and the transition from a state of unemployment or under-employment to a level of self-sufficiency. The Evidence-Based Workforce Development Training developed by NIC (https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Downloads/Employment-Retention-Instructor-Guide.pdf) 2010 with anticipated minor updates in September 2023 provides practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to assist justice-involved adults as they explore the values, thoughts, and feelings supporting positive lifestyle choices and gainful attachment to the workforce. In addition, the training provides instruction on how to effectively administer the Employment Retention Inventory – a case management tool developed to identify the criminogenic risks impacting recidivism and job loss.

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