OAR asks for $70,000 to staff college‑access program for formerly incarcerated residents

OAR and College Initiative Upstate asked the legislature to fund staffing for a college‑access and reentry education program that helps people who have been incarcerated enroll in and complete college coursework.

Benet Rubinstein, director of College Initiative Upstate, described a model that provides one‑on‑one support, weekly study halls and in‑jail college‑prep programming. Rubinstein cited program experience in New York City showing a recidivism rate of 3.2% for participants compared with national averages (she cited a national figure in the meeting of about 66% after three years). She said the SUNY Board of Trustees voted on a policy change that removes a convictions checkbox from applications, which organizers said will reduce application abandonment.

OAR requested $70,000 (the Human Services Coalition review committee recommended $70,000 of an $80,000 ask) to fund a director and a part‑time assistant (staffing and fringe). Organizers said they have engaged more than 100 people in outreach, have 17 students enrolled this fall at community colleges, and expect to expand into the spring semester if staffing is funded.

Legislators asked for a budget breakdown and sought assurance about program sustainability if the proposed director leaves; Rubinstein said the request includes capacity to train additional staff and that OAR will continue to pursue private foundation support.

Next steps: OAR will provide more detailed budget information and program materials; the legislature will consider the request during budget deliberations.