Harrisburg discusses contracting with reentry employer CEO for cleanup and job pathways; union and funding questions remain

HARRISBURG — City officials and service providers discussed a possible partnership with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) to supply transitional work crews for litter cleanup, other public-works tasks and job pathways for people returning from incarceration during a Harrisburg City Council policy work session led by Councilman Rodriguez.

CEO site director Kia Hansard told council members CEO provides a short paid orientation called P2E followed by immediate transitional employment, daily pay on prepaid debit cards and a year of retention services. "CEO helps men and women returning from state correctional institutions establish a life not defined by their convictions," Hansard said, and noted CEO has operated in Dauphin County since 2017. Hansard said the program has served 764 participants since it opened there and that 152 people participated last year.

Why it matters: Council members framed the discussion as an opportunity to address persistent illegal dumping and other neighborhood maintenance needs while creating training and employment pathways for people reentering the community. Labor representatives and the city solicitor said the source of funding and contract design would determine whether a formal agreement is feasible under the…