Narrative: c.

(c) Corrections Education and Other Education of Institutionalized Individuals

Utah will establish and operate programs under Section 225 of WIOA for corrections education and education for other institutionalized individuals. Priority of service will be given to individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participating in the program. Funds (10 percent of the allowable 82.5 percent) will be part of the competed for funding opportunities in Spring 2017.

Utah will award the base amount allowed under WIOA through a competitive process to school-district educational providers responsible for educational services to state offenders in correctional facilities and jails housed in their district boundaries as well as to other agencies responsible for education services to persons in other institutional settings. Grant awards will be awarded on the basis of application merit as measured on a USOE-defined scoring rubric. The final decision will rest with the USOE Student Advocacy Services Adult Education leadership. Adult education programs will be funded based on the focus of grant applications defining the program’s ability to meet the needs of the adult learner 16 years of age or older by providing literacy activities, including adult education (including high-school completion), basic literacy, special education services to qualified youth, integration of English literacy and civics education, workforce preparation or integrated education and training. Programs awarded funds will be expected to infuse civics education within the context of offered coursework.

Correctional education programs applying for funding must define how funding will be used to meet the educational needs of offenders who are within five years of leaving an institution. Instruction provided should be contextualized and designed to focus on the transition of reentering society. Programs will be expected to define how workforce preparation is incorporated within the curriculum as well as the strategies/processes actively being utilized to transition the adult education “completer student” to post-secondary and career-training programs or to employment within the institutions and that, upon reentry, will lead to a meaningful employment and a self-sustaining career.

Adult Education corrections programs awarded funding shall actively engage with Department of Corrections staff and programming officers to ensure offenders who have been or are involved in education and are scheduled for release are actively engaged in ASCENT (Achieving Success through Collaborative Engagement and Navigated Transition) services at release and at post-release. Adult Education correction program staff members are expected to partner with the Department of Corrections, DWS and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in the ASCENT initiative, as defined by the Utah Defendant Offender Workforce Development Task Force (UDOWD) vision for transition and release processes designed to reduce offender recidivism. UDOWD focuses on employment for released offenders and has been recognized nationally for its impact on reducing recidivism through effective collaboration of federal, state, community and business/employment partners. Adult Education state leadership staff will actively be a part of UDOWD coordination and collaboration efforts and initiatives. Adult Education should have a representative serving on UDOWD by Fall 2016.

The ASCENT program, based on the Transition from Prison to Community (TPC) model of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), brings federal, state, local, advocacy and faith-based agencies and organizations together to improve transitional and reentry services for offenders leaving the prison and/or jail systems. The ASCENT program supports current prison reform and evidence-based judicial system improvements in Utah. The overarching goals of ASCENT are for “all criminal justice involved clients /offenders, county, state or federal from intake through release to remain arrest free over the long haul, and to become competent and self-sufficient members of their community.” The ASCENT model assists jurisdictions in making systematic changes, including reductions in recidivism and victimization, as well as enhanced public safety and improved community life. The Adult Education correction program staff members will collaborate with transitional specialists located in the prisons and/or jails that focus on release and re-entry issues for offenders.

The Department of Corrections, DWS, VR and Adult Education will have identified staff members on each of four ASCENT committees:

• Community Support and Reintegration Reform

• Treatment and Victim Assistance

• Education and Employment

• Housing and Transportation

Staff members from each of the core partners are now being selected for the four targeted ASCENT committees and should be fully engaged by the end of January 2016.

New Language: Utah will establish and operate programs under Section 225 of WIOA for corrections education and education for other institutionalized individuals. Priority of service will be given to individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participating in the program. Funds (10 percent of the allowable 82.5 percent) will be competed for funding opportunities in Spring 2017 with funds being awarded by July 1, 2017. . Eligible providers of demonstrated effectiveness will have direct and equitable access to apply for Corrections Education and Other Education of Institutionalized Individuals grants to provide educational services in correctional facilities, county jails or other institutional settings. Utah will compete the funds using the same grant application and application process being used for section 231 funds. Adult Education AEFLA funds will be competed Spring 2017. Grants will be awarded July 1, 2017, based on a competitive application process following the 13 guidance points outlined in section 231(e). Grant awards will be awarded on the basis of application merit as measured on a USBE defined scoring rubric. The final decision will rest with the USBE Student Advocacy Services Adult Education leadership. Applicants will be funded based on the focus of grant applications defining the program’s ability to meet the needs of the adult learner 16 years of age or older by providing literacy activities, including adult education (including high-school completion), basic literacy, special education services to qualified youth, integration of English literacy and civics education, workforce preparation or integrated education and training. Programs awarded funds will be expected to infuse civics education within the context of offered coursework. Applicants applying for funding must define how funding will be used to meet the educational needs of offenders who are within five years of leaving an institution. Awarded funds are to be used to increase the number of incarcerated adults improving their basic skills, completing a secondary school credential, entering post-secondary education and training, or entering or retaining employment. Educational services offered may be provided by peer tutors who work under the direction of an adult educator. Instruction provided should be contextualized and designed to focus on the transition of reentering society. Programs will be expected to define how provided educational services will improve the offender’s likelihood of successful reentry. This may include partnerships with post-secondary or training institutions so that they are co-teaching industry trades or certification programs within the facilities that DWS defines as marketable once the offender paroles; how adult education will partner with Corrections and access/partner with the pre-release team (ASCENT see below) ensuring the offender has a defined career pathway and resources once paroled. Adult Education corrections programs applicants awarded funding shall actively engage with Department of Corrections staff and programming officers to ensure offenders who have been or are involved in education and are scheduled for release are actively engaged in ASCENT (Achieving Success through Collaborative Engagement and Navigated Transition) services at release and at post-release. Adult Education correction program staff members are expected to partner with the Department of Corrections, DWS and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in the ASCENT initiative, as defined by the Utah Defendant Offender Workforce Development Task Force (UDOWD) vision for transition and release processes designed to reduce offender recidivism. UDOWD focuses on employment for released offenders and has been recognized nationally for its impact on reducing recidivism through effective collaboration of federal, state, community and business/employment partners. Adult Education state leadership staff will actively be a part of UDOWD coordination and collaboration efforts and initiatives. The ASCENT program, based on the Transition from Prison to Community (TPC) model of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), brings federal, state, local, advocacy and faith-based agencies and organizations together to improve transitional and reentry services for offenders leaving the prison and/or jail systems. The ASCENT program supports current prison reform and evidence-based judicial system improvements in Utah. The overarching goals of ASCENT are for “all criminal justice involved clients /offenders, county, state or federal from intake through release to remain arrest free over the long haul, and to become competent and self-sufficient members of their community.” The ASCENT model assists jurisdictions in making systematic changes, including reductions in recidivism and victimization, as well as enhanced public safety and improved community life. The Adult Education correction program staff members will collaborate with transitional specialists located in the prisons and/or jails that focus on release and re-entry issues for offenders. The Department of Corrections, DWS, VR and Adult Education will have identified staff members on each of four ASCENT committees: • Community Support and Reintegration Reform • Treatment and Victim Assistance • Education and Employment • Housing and Transportation Staff members from each of the core partners have been selected for the four targeted ASCENT committees.