For the overwhelming majority of people in federal and state prisons who will eventually reenter the community, finding employment plays a critical role in preventing recidivism. That said, it is not strictly job placement services that can make the difference between reincarceration and successful reentry; ensuring people who are returning to communities from incarceration have the skills to not only find, but also retain, jobs is also key.
During this webinar, participants will learn about the integration of social learning and/or cognitive behavioral approaches, as well as other risk reduction strategies, in employment program models. These lessons are especially useful for corrections and workforce development administrators and practitioners, as well as community-based reentry service providers who are interested in improving employment outcomes for people assessed as being at a moderate to high risk of reoffending.
Presenters will:
- Present strategies for assessing community-based providers’ use of best practices that have been shown to reduce recidivism and improve job readiness;
- Provide information on selecting a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) curriculum and strategies for sequencing CBT sessions;
- Highlight effective approaches for integrating cognitive behavioral interventions with subsidized and unsubsidized job placement;
- Discuss effective approaches for providing treatment dosage in accordance to a person’s risk to reoffend and associated needs; and
- Explain how to design a behavior management system that encourages participants to manage their own behavior based on a system of incentives and consequences.
Presenters:
- Erica Nelson, Project Manager, Reentry and Employment Program, The Council of State Governments Justice Center;
- Chris Warland, Associate Director, Field Building, Heartland Alliance’s National Initiatives on Poverty & Economic Opportunity; and
- Amy Barch, Director, Turning Leaf Project.