Reentry programs report: Step job training, New Leash on Life show mixed early outcomes

Kelly Shaw, program administrator for reentry, told the board that the facility ran multiple cohorts of the Step job‑readiness course and sent updates on New Leash on Life, a program that places rescued dogs with incarcerated handlers for training and reentry support.

“The Step program is a job readiness course, which connects participants to chance company interviews post release,” Shaw said. She reported that Cohort 25 completed May 1 with six men graduating, Cohort 26 completed with five women, and Cohort 27 began May 27 with 10 men enrolled. Shaw said Step is funded through the Pathway Home 3 grant and that the county workforce board and partner EDSI submitted a request for proposals to continue funding.

On New Leash on Life, Shaw described the program as a six‑month career‑readiness course in which dogs from shelters live in the facility for 12 weeks. “After 12 weeks, the handlers are paroled early and placed in a paid internship for the next 3 months,” Shaw said. Shaw said cohort‑specific numbers: cohort 2 began with five participants on May 19, grew to 12 by June 2 and was at 11 participants during the board report because one participant was under review for an alleged facility violation. Shaw said cohort 1 had four women graduate and that three of those women were in paid internships while one had returned to custody after failing to contact a parole agent.

Board members and public commenters praised the programs as valuable reentry work and urged sustained funding and follow‑up for participants after release. One board member urged that volunteer organizations such as Thresholds be considered for support to continue mentoring after people leave custody. Shaw and other staff said they are tracking outcomes and expect to provide more data over time.

Next steps: reentry staff will continue to report cohort outcomes and coordinate with workforce partners to seek ongoing grant support.