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Community College of Vermont outlines expansion of college courses inside state prisons with federal and philanthropic support
Summary
CCV told the House Education committee on May 5 that it now offers courses in every Vermont facility, has Second Chance Pell eligibility, and is scaling reentry supports after a $4.5 million congressional earmark and a $2.9 million Ascendium grant.
Joyce Judy, president of the Community College of Vermont, told the House Education Committee on May 5 that CCV now runs college courses in every Vermont correctional facility and is building a reentry-focused center to connect classroom instruction with employment and wraparound supports. "If we can change the trajectory of 10 students, what a great gift to those students," Judy said.
CCV and Brian O'Connor, the college's director of corrections education, described a multi-year effort that began with philanthropic pilots in 2016'17 and gained federal momentum after CCV secured Second Chance Pell eligibility (Title IV financial aid) and a $4.5 million congressional directed spending award secured by Senator Bernie Sanders. Judy said CCV also received a $2.9 million, three-year grant from Ascendium to expand transition and reentry services; CCV officials said they are not requesting state operating money for the program at this time.
The program currently operates in four facilities…
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