Jobs and Hope program briefs Senate committee on employment services for people in recovery and reentry

Representatives of Jobs and Hope West Virginia presented the program’s results and funding needs to the Senate committee. The program, established by the Legislature in 2019, provides employment and reentry supports for people in recovery from substance use disorder and for individuals impacted by the justice system.

The presenter (identified in the transcript as a program representative) said Jobs and Hope serves more than 1,500 active participants, has graduated 570 participants and reports assisting 8,722 individuals in gaining employment. The program also reported reinstating 2,529 driver’s licenses and processing 34 expungements. The presenter described partnerships with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, the West Virginia Military Authority for a heavy-equipment operator course, Legal Aid of West Virginia for expungements, Good News Mountaineer Garage for donated vehicles and driver testing, and Motive Care for nonemergency transportation.

Why it matters: the presenter told senators the program has demonstrable returns: an internal calculation in the program packet estimated $4 returned to the state for every $1 invested, and noted that gains in employment reduced SNAP dependency by an estimated $6.3 million annually. The program also has a reentry initiative operating in correctional education programs and reported 312 warm referrals from correctional education to Jobs and Hope transition agents.

Budget and risks: Senators questioned program staff about a reported budget reduction. The presenter said the program’s prior funding came from two state line items (one under the Office of Drug Control Policy for direct support services and another under vocational education). The presenter said lumping vocational funding reduced availability and created what she described as a roughly $2 million shortfall; if that shortfall is not addressed the program would cut direct supports such as tuition or training subsidies, wage reimbursement to participating employers, and some heavy-equipment training slots. The presenter said program operations and staff would continue but direct supports that reduce barriers to employment would face cuts.

Operational details: the presenter said graduates are defined as participants who have eliminated barriers they presented with, completed training or education, obtained employment and maintained employment for three to six months; graduates receive a certificate and the program offers follow-up supports and re-enrollment if needed. Senators asked about eligibility and whether SNAP recipients also had access to nonemergency medical transportation; the presenter clarified that Motive Care transports Jobs and Hope participants to work and training and that some SNAP recipients may also have Medicaid and thus access to Mode of Care transport, but eligibility varies by individual.

Next steps: senators thanked the presenter and asked follow-up questions about budget details and program outcomes. The transcript records the presentation and a question-and-answer period but no formal committee action tied to the presentation.