Narrative: c.

Missouri has established a correctional education program for institutionalized individuals and it has been operating successfully for over 15 years. Programs are required to submit an application through Missouri competitive bid process. Multiyear competitive grants are awarded using the same announcement, IFB (including 13 considerations), application, evaluation and scoring processes for all eligible providers as outlined in Section III (b)(5)(B) for Title II of the Missouri State Plan. Announcements for bid are posted on the DESE website and in local newspapers throughout the state to ensure that providers have direct and equitable access to apply. During the initial period of the grant submission process, any eligible agency that contacts the agency with an interest in participating will be provided the information needed. Missouri believes that these approaches meet the requirements specified in AEFLA and is satisfied that every effort is made to ensure direct and equitable access. Missouri uses the 13 considerations specified in section 231€ of WIOA to fund eligible providers. Applicants must provide detailed narrative to address how each consideration will be met. All applications are evaluated using the same rubric and scoring criteria. With the reauthorization of WIOA, the IFB will include the expectation that the following services are made accessible to offenders based on need and situational feasibility.

1) Adult education and literacy activities; 2) Special Education as determined by the eligible agency 3) Integrated education and training 4) Career pathways 5) Concurrent Enrollment 6) Peer tutoring when feasible 7) Transition to re-entry initiatives and other post release services with the goal of reducing recidivism.

Funded correctional educational programs are required to give priority to serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within 5 years. State law requires all offenders without a high school diploma or high school equivalency to earn an HSE or exhibit a continuous, honest, good faith of academic success to be eligible for parole. DOC employs approaches to offender educational services that increase educational levels and provide skills for self-sufficiency to reduce the recidivism rate.

DOC offers adult education and literacy activities, including HSE preparation. These activities focus on improvement in servicing literacy students, improving language skills in NRS levels, preparing for the HSE, and preparing offenders to enter society as productive citizens. Integrated Education and Training is provided through the Employability Skills/Life Skills program. This program is designed to provide workforce training skills and life skills that will help offenders reenter into society as productive citizens. This program offers curriculum in areas such as job preparation (resume building, interview preparation), workforce skills, and family life skills. These are offered concurrently with the adult education curriculum that includes instruction in reading, writing, speaking, mathematics and English language acquisition. Curriculum materials are used that will provide real life contexts and align with CCR standards. Where situationally feasible, instruction may include peer tutoring. Special education instructional strategies, used within the DOC, are linked to the student’s learning style and learning disabilities/difficulties. Accommodations are provided for students with learning disabilities/differences. Accommodations include providing signers or interpreters, offering trained tutors for one-on-one instruction, adaptations such as color overlays and large key calculators. Accommodations are provided to students in accordance with official guidelines when testing for both TABE and the High School Equivalency Certificates.

Missouri DOC offers career pathways for incarcerated students through several options. The integration of the Adult Education and Literacy program that operates concurrently with workforce preparation activities serve to prepare students for the workforce upon their release. Additionally, DOC offers options for post-secondary educational opportunities including self-pay and study with an accredited college. Vocational classes are offered at some institutions. The offender must qualify for these programs based on DOC criteria. The goal of these options is to provide a pathway for students to build skills through workforce training and education. These skills will assist with obtaining and retaining employment and in reducing recidivism.

DOC policy does not allow for direct connection with the public school sector, one-stop centers, and/or social services agencies during the student’s incarceration. However, DOC does provide Title II funded students with packets of information/resources to help them transition into society through the Missouri Reentry Process. This packet includes information about ways to connect to Job Centers, adult education programs, one stop centers, post-secondary opportunities as well as others. The MRP offenders prepare for release throughout their incarceration. The Missouri Reentry Process includes provision of information regarding educational opportunities, job placement, and local support systems/resources available.