Connecting Formerly Incarcerated Individuals with Employers in Georgia

1. Connecting Re-Entering/Formerly Incarcerated Individuals with Employers Presented to: TSG Business Services Sector Partnership Conference Presented by: Dr. B. Keith Jones, Director of Reentry Services Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice June 26, 2019

2. BUILDING AND SUSTAINING AN EFFECTIVE REENTRY TASK FORCE • Agenda • Juvenile Justice Reform in Georgia • Strategic Framework • Reentry Task Force • “Collective Impact Framework” • Partnerships

3. GA Juvenile Justice Reform • Legislative Priorities Established

4. GA Juvenile Justice Reform • The Special Council on Criminal Justice • Reform Extensive Review of Data Obtained Technical Assistance The Pew Charitable Trusts Annie E. Casey Foundation Crime & Justice Institute 2013 Pew report on Georgia DJJ key findings $300 million dollar budget Nearly 2/3 spent on out of home facilities $91,000 per bed (YDCS) & $88,000 per bed (RYDCS) Recidivism over 50% Lack of access to proven programs Low risk youth in facilities (53%) Limited options for judges Georgia’s 2013 Juvenile Justice Reform

5. DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2014 • In December 2013, the Department of Juvenile Justice launched the development of the Strategic Framework by: • Mirrored the GA-PRI Framework and converted it into juvenile justice language • Assigned representatives to participate in a Reentry Oversight Committee (ROC) from all sections within the Department • Developed the Strategic Framework by engaging an extensive range of subject matter experts in workgroup meetings co-facilitated based on the subject area of discussion • Workgroup met weekly over a three month period discussing the GA-PRISeven Decision Points and twenty-seven Targets for Change • The Reentry Strategic Framework initiated a process of continuous strategic thinking and planning that produced a framework for implementation

6. Operationalizing Task Force Work in Georgia DJJ • Strategic Plan published September 2014 • Total Barriers Resolved – 38 of 40 • Internal - 19 of 19 • External – 19 of 21 • Total Barriers Phase I • Internal - 3 of 3 • External - 1 of 1 • Total Barriers Phase II • Internal - 5 of 5 • External - 16 of 17 • Total Barriers Phase III • Internal - 11 of 11 • Eternal - 2 of 3 • Note:  Internal Barriers are those things for which change can be facilitated by DJJ unilaterally while External Barriers are those things that require the collective engagement of the task force.

7. IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK Task Force Development

8. DJJ’s Process • Development of a Strategic Plan • Three Phases • Seven Decision Points • Twenty Seven Targets for Change • Identify Members • State Agencies • Private Agencies • Youth Advocates • Religious/Civic Organization • Businesses & Business Leaders • Recruitment • Word of Mouth • Mailing/Emailing lists • Attend meetings • Conferences • Coalitions • Staff meetings • Board meetings

9. Reentry Task Force Employment of Collective Impact Five components identified in research by Stanford Social Innovation Review Common Agenda Shared measurement Mutually reinforcing activities Continuous Communication Backbone Support

10. Reentry Task Force Goals • Continue Juvenile Reentry task force work indefinitely creating: • Increased collaborative grant opportunities • Integrated system of care for youth returning home from custody • Strengthen families and communities • Drive down recidivism in DJJ and decrease adult offender population • Cultivate a culture of Hope and Youth Change • Develop policy • First Meeting • March 2015 (50+ attendees)Current Members • The task force consists of 70 member organizations which include partners from state agencies and private organizations • The Governance Council consists of members appointed by the Director of Reentry Services

11. Reentry Task Force Current Structure • Divided by Subgroups based on the Domains of Aftercare and organizational strengths: • Family and Living Arrangements • Peer Groups and Friends • Physical, Behavioral Health, and Substance Abuse • Education, Vocational Training and Employment • Leisure Time, Recreation and Avocational Interests • Parenthood Project • Subgroup meetings monthly; Task Force meetings quarterly • Governance Council • Members appointed by ORS Director • Operational oversight • Training • Policy development

12. Reentry Task Force Most Recent Task Force Audit • 42% of the task force organizations attended 11 or more task force meetings • 81% have been members for more than 12 months • 54% have provided more than 10 services to DJJ youth • 62% have capacity to provide services statewide • 76% organizations size is more than 10 employees

13. Task Force Collaborations  Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency • Pilot at Augusta YDC • Job Readiness Classes - taught by Easter Seals • Work-Based Learning (WBL)- minimum wage for youth hours spent on details, "hands-on" skills • Extensive youth psycho-social evals on-site to determine youth needs regarding employment • February 2018 – May 2019: 79 youth have participated earning $7.25/hour; 14+yo eligible • WBL – 43 participated; 18 have been released, earning from $73 to $3903; 3 youth remaining have earned $3719, $3770, $4954

14. Task Force Collaborations (Cont.)  Jobs for Georgia Graduates/DOL • Piloted at Macon YDC, model to be spread to other YDCs and nationally by the company • Generic Job Readiness classes taught by AT&T staff (applicable to any employment, not just AT&T) • AT&T job certifications, pathways to employment, and tech school credit for participants • Uniforms, field trips, other immersion activities • Target date for expansion January 2020 at Eastman YDC

15. Task Force Collaborations (Cont.)  CodeOut • Piloted at Macon YDC for detained females • CodeOut is a non-profit organization is supported by businesses needing coders • Youth who finish the program receive industry-recognized certification are expected to receive a job earning a minimum of $50K or more • The youth recently completed a field trip to Turner Broadcasting and Mail Chimp

16. Task Force Collaborations (Cont.) Home Depot • Pilot complete at Atlanta YDC • Generic Job Readiness classes taught by Home Depot staff (applicable to any employment, not just Home Depot) • Field trips planned to various types of Home Depot sites • Special consideration for Home Depot employment to be given to graduates • First class graduated8 youth • Statewide rollout underway

17. Task Force Partnerships  (Cont.) • Technical College System of Georgia • Tech school credit for Job Readiness, other classes • Consideration of collaboration with DJJ due to TCSG merging with WIOA • Wal-Mart • Youth referrals from DJJ to Wal-Mart job fairs will receive special consideration

18. Task Force Partnerships  (Cont.) • Movement to Success • Piloted at Augusta YDC • Lawyers teach debating/self-advocacy skills • Plans to expand statewide • Future partners under various stages of consideration • Masonry- business owner ready to teach youth in a facility; looking for appropriate location • Apprenticeships in building & construction trades- pre-apprenticeship being offered to youth free of charge; certification will give them leg up; looking to implement at Augusta YDC

19. Technology Updates Resource Database Components: • Deployed with approximately 1,000 resources and as of June, has nearly 2800 resources • RRCs can document and update resources immediately via cell phone, tablet, or computer • High level resource summaries/graphs are available • Tracking of web hits by county, district, and region • Resources by county, district, and region

20. QUESTIONS ???

21. B. Keith Jones, PhD Director of Reentry Services Georgia Dept. of Juvenile Justice Desk: 229-336-2369 Office Main: 229-522-3682 Cell: 404-859-0811 Fax: 404-478-7960 Email: keithjones@djj.state.ga.us