LIMITED BUDGETS, LIMITED

RESOURCES: HOW TO ENHANCE ADULT EDUCATION

BEHIND BARS AND AFTER.

The College of Lake CountyAdult Basic Education, GED & ESL

Presented by: Michele Vaughn, Associate Dean for Community Education

PH: (847)543-2153 EM: mvaughn@clcillinois.edu Warren Thomas, Repatriation Coordinator PH: (847) 543-2865 EM: wthomas@clcillinois.edu

From a local Perspective Lake County, Illinois

population 712,453

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Making a High School Diploma, GED and College more attractive than committing CRIME!

I am only one,But still I am one.I cannot do everything,But still I can do something;And because I cannot do

everythingI will not refuse to do theSomething that I can do. (John

Maxwell)

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2,000 people with criminal records are released from prison in America every day, according to the Department of Justice, and two-thirds of them will eventually end up back behind bars. 75 % of state inmates had not completed HS at the time of imprisonment and fewer than 3% had completed college ~ United Way Study

A Study by United Way: An American Human Development Project (2009)Identified~

The less education a person has, the more likely he or she is to be unemployed. A high school dropout is four times more likely to be

unemployed than a college graduate.

Nearly three-quarters of state inmates did not complete high school; fewer than three percent completed college or more.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Model Office Course

Career Development

ABE / GEDAdult Basic Education, GED & ESL

Partnership with the Lake County Jail463 Enrolled Currently

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Leverage Resources

Literacy Volunteers

Read to Me Literacy Pilot (Connecting

the Family)

GED Tests fee Reimbursement

System with Jail for every inmate who

complete all 5 components of GED

Tests.

Apply for Grants to provide scholarships

for ex-offenders.“Delayed But Not

Denied”Partner with other

agencies and apply for grants that will

demonstrate a diverse effort to

marry resources that will help this population.

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According to the Lake County Coalition to Reduce Recidivism - www.lakecountyil.gov/recidivism

~Over 225 ex-offenders return to Lake County each month.

~In Illinois, 2/3 of those released from prison are re-arrested.

~Lake County Cost of Incarceration: $82/day per defendant; $30,000 per year (Source: Lake County Sheriff’s Office).

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Student Transition Process – Please refer to the handout

Galvanizing Partnership Efforts with Community Stakeholders

Local Job Centers

• We Provide Monthly Expungement Workshops

• Host 3 times in an fiscal yearAverage attendance is 35 per workshopParticipants Include: College Recruitment, Prospective Employers, Career Services, Office of the State Appellate Defender Expungement Unit, Illinois Secretary of State and Ex-offender Speaker

• 2 day Job Search Course - [Illinois Work Net] Designed to address the needs of the market. Equip learners with up-to-date computer skills. Provide Resume & Interview writing workshops. Connect each inmate with Reentry specialist prior to transition / release.

• Career & Services, CLC

Start with your

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Galvanizing Partnership Efforts with Community Stakeholders

Waukegan Township’s “Reclaim Reconnect Reenter” Program

www.waukegantownship.com

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2007

290 ex-offenders

assisted by employment

specialist

95 obtained employment

99 obtained employment

309 ex-offenders

assisted by employment

specialist

2008

2009

327 ex-offenders

assisted by employment

specialist

73 obtained employment

Repatriation Project (2007 – Present)

Program Highlights

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114 Total Repatriates Served

11 Dropped (attendance/disciplinary)

101 Repatriates Completed Program

Goal:68% will be placed in educational / vocational courses, training, or

employed.

57% found suitable employment

12 % seeking a GED or Vocational program

85% remain crime free according to probation and records at the Lake County Jail.

Any Questions????

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