MRP (Missouri reentry program)

1. MRP(Missouri reentry program)

2. Corrections side • Core Belief: Offender reentry is a philosophy which requires a system wide collaborative approach to improving public safety. • Vision: A Safer Missouri and the Standard of Excellence in Corrections. They desire to be the standard of excellence in the field of corrections. Through innovation and collaboration, we want to embrace changes that better serve Missouri communities impacted by criminal behavior and achieve a safer State.

3. Corrections Side • Mission: To support and encourage the reentry and restorative justice efforts of the Department of Corrections, reentry stakeholders, and the community.

4. Organizational Chart

5. Missouri Reentry Process

6. MRP Principles • Offenders can change and be productive citizens. • MRP begins when an offender enters the Department of Corrections • MRP is a shared responsibility of offenders, their families, community agencies and the state • A seamless continuum of services should be in place for each offender leaving the institution to reduce future criminal behavior.

7. MRP Principles (Con’t) • Offenders should receive training, education and treatment to better prepare them for reentry to the community. • Offenders who are better prepared to fulfill their obligations to their children can reduce the intergenerational cycle of crime. • Employment that provides adequate income is critical to the offender's financial stability in the community. • Stable housing is one key component, which impacts the stability of the offender in the community.

8. MRP Principles (Con’t) • Offenders should leave the institution as healthy as possible and have access to health care in the community.. • Victims must be allowed to participate in the MRP and be supported by it.

9. What you need • Application for Facility Access • Wavier of TB test or Valid TB test

10. Ground Rules • Remember that you are talking to people • Establish mutual respect • Give for common courtesy • Understand the prisoners rules in a prison

11. Introduction • Explain the MRP program. • Began over 10 years ago. • Signed into law in 2005 (Matt Blunt) • MRP was designed to assist this work force to reenter population with less recidivism

12. Studies Show • Studies show that sooner to work is less issues in society • Finding employment vs. not finding employment • Vocational skills

13. Briefing • Job Center services: • When you get there • Membership • Updating your jobs.mo.gov account • Counselor

14. Services • Jobs Center services available • Workshop • Job Search Assistance • Computers • Interview Skills Enhancement • Resume Assistance • Referrals to Partnering Agencies • Veterans Programs and Services • OJT Program (if Qualified)

15. Training Program • WIOA • Training for those that need re-training • Must have GED or High school Diploma • Assessment • WIA • Under this program the highest user was single mothers. • The second was those coming from prison’s

16. Work Opportunity tax credit • WOTC • First twelve months • No former employers • No relative owned business • 28 calendar days • Saturday/Sunday/ Holiday

17. Federal Bonding • Federal bonding program • $25,000.00 bond Free • Only if employer cannot obtain • Counselor at Job Center will assist

18. Other agencies • VOC Rehab (if there is not a rep) • Obvious and not so obvious • Successfully completed substance abuse • Child Support (if there is not a rep) • Make appt • Explain situation • Work a plan

19. Closing the session • Questions and Answers • One on One

20. Toolbox Enrollment • All participants from the MRP that are veterans will be enrolled in Toolbox. • Veterans will normally be enrolled into MOVRP case management 6 months out. • Veterans must be tracked in the program from this time on.

21. Tracking at JC • Veterans that are enrolled are tracked once they enter the Job Center. • Veterans in this status should be treated like any other client. (Priority of service, SBE) • Application Identity and Name will be forwarded to Terry Beas each month for reporting purposes.

22. Tracking sheet • MRP tracking sheet will be sent to Terry Beas monthly. • The tracking sheet includes • Date • DVOP that conducted the training • Institution • Workshop (MRP; Resume; etc) • Number of individuals present • Number of veterans present • Comments

23. Tracking Sheet

24. How to use the handout • Handout can be taken to prison to keep you on track. • This will be used as notes for MRP class – not as PowerPoint • The notes under each slide are a guideline

25. Questions

26. Working with an EX-Offender

27. How do “One Stop” Career Centers benefit Ex-Offenders • Career counseling • DVOP • LVER • Youth Services • Missouri Employment Training Program (METP/Food stamps) • Special Programs (OJT, Adult, SMH, etc) • Computer and job skills training • Job search assistance

28. Job Seeker Resource Area • Computers • Fax machines • Telephones • Copiers

29. Service possibilities • Basic life skills (expected behavior, budgeting, decision making, documents needed, etc.) • Marketable job skills • Job placement (including job-seeking skills) • Transportation • Clothing • Shelter and food • Child Care • Mentors • Health care • Drug counseling • Mental health counseling

30. Referral • Family and children’s services • Religious-affiliated social service agencies (such as Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, etc.), including the Salvation Army • County health departments • Health clinics • Community mental health services • Women’s shelters • Vocational rehabilitation services • Job Service offices • One-stop centers • Educational institutions

31. Prepare the offender • Their communication skills may be poor. • From their perspective, they may have had poor experience with state and federal agencies. • They know that they are going to have to reveal the fact that they are ex-offenders and are unsure how to handle it. • Seeking services from an agency places them in a continued dependent role at a time when they are seeking to become independent.

32. Prepare the offender • They may not have transportation to get to the agency. • They may lack the assertive skills needed to persist long enough to get the services they need. • They may lack documents that they need. • They may lack ability to complete application forms correctly.

33. WREAP • Sign the offender up for the WREAP workshop. • Assist in understanding Skills obtained in prison. • Help to understand job seeking skills (ATS, Resume, Interviewing)

34. Other Workshops • An ex-offender may require a large amount of job placement preparation. • Other things that may be required could include: • Resume • Interviewing assistance • AEL (Adult Education Literacy) • Finance • Dressing for Success • Social Media

35. Case Studies

36. Some Tips

37. What about state and federal jobs for ex-offenders? • Ex-offenders have no special status • Application and selection procedures • http://www.opm.gov. • State Jobs • https://meritregisters.mo.gov/ • Federal Jobs • https://www.usajobs.gov/

38. Documents • Many offenders may need assistance getting simple documents like: • Birth Certificate • Social Security Card • DD 214 • Know how to obtain these documents. • Birth Certificate (http://www.exoffender.org/up/docs/Exohandbook.pdf) • SSC (Any Social Security Office) • DD214 (https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/) or see your local Vets Service Officer

39. Right to vote • In all but two states, voting age citizens convicted of a felony are barred from voting for some period of time. • Status by state can be checked at: http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-as-an-ex-offender/

40. Questions