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Nonprofit asks $1.5 million to expand 14‑week recidivism and workforce reentry program

Utah Legislature — Economic and Community Development Appropriation Subcommittee · February 2, 2026

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Summary

Lead with Light Foundation and partners presented a 14‑week cohort program for incarcerated and recently released Utahns and asked the subcommittee for $1.5 million to scale services and serve an estimated 825 people in the coming fiscal year.

Steve Shallenberger, presenting on behalf of the Lead with Light Foundation and Becoming Your Best Academy, told the committee their initiative uses a coordinated, three‑pillar design — programming inside corrections facilities, services for individuals reentering the community and supports for underemployed residents — to reduce recidivism and improve workforce outcomes. The program is structured as a 14‑week cohort with leadership training, one‑on‑one coaching and a written reentry plan.

Shallenberger described pilot results: 18 graduates from the first in‑prison cohort, a second cohort that generated over 230 applications for 80 slots, and 28 program graduates already released who were reported to be actively pursuing their plans in the community. The presenters characterized the initiative as workforce‑aligned and scalable and requested $1,500,000 to expand services; they said the program estimated reach for the coming fiscal year is roughly 825 individuals.

Committee members asked for outcome data and clarifications on partnerships. Shallenberger thanked the Department of Corrections leadership (naming Jared Garcia) and Workforce Services for collaboration. The committee did not take a vote on the request during this meeting; further budget review was implied.