Reentry programs highlight New Leash On Life graduation, job fair participation and workforce cohorts
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Summary
Staff reported reentry program activity: 10 new clients accepted by PHMC reentry services, EDSI workforce cohorts continuing, and the first New Leash On Life cohort graduated four women who earned early parole and paid internships; staff plan to expand the program to men.
Program staff updated the board on grant‑funded reentry services and workforce training for April.
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) reentry services accepted 10 new clients in the reporting period; nine were parolees and one was incarcerated when accepted. PHMC services are open to Delaware County residents and continue for 60 days post release; board materials said the PHMC contract will continue for two more years.
EDSI’s First Step workforce development program completed cohort 24 (six men successfully completed the four‑week course on April 3) and began cohort 25 on April 7 with 11 men enrolled. EDSI also facilitated an opioid workforce recovery workshop that included job‑readiness and recovery support; 31 MAT participants attended that workshop.
Staff hosted a job fair at Subaru Park that included county human resources, facility administrative staff and the contracted health services provider Wellpath. Program materials said 64 incarcerated persons attended the facility job fair and seven community organizations participated.
New Leash On Life — a program pairing incarcerated participants with shelter dogs for training and employment skills — graduated its first cohort. Program staff said cohort 1 graduated four women (the cohort began with six participants), completed 51 workshops and earned early parole and a paid internship through the prison‑to‑community workforce initiative. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon attended the graduation ceremony along with courthouse and county representatives. Staff plan to expand New Leash On Life to male participants, with an initial male cohort of 12 participants and six dogs.
Additional program notes: the facility’s education program increased GED enrollment and reported a 61 percent pass rate for the month; two staff were selected for Department of Corrections training on the Thinking for a Change curriculum; on‑site probation and parole liaisons released 61 individuals to inpatient treatment during the period.
Ending — Staff asked the board to continue supporting reentry partnerships; the board received the update and encouraged continued outreach to employers and training partners.