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Sandra Smith describes peer-support certification and reentry workforce efforts
Summary
Dr. Sandra Smith described developing a reentry-focused peer-support certification and workforce pathways, securing foundation grants and Department of Labor recognition for a peer-support rapid code; she said the program produced high certification completion rates for people released from prison.
Dr. Sandra Smith recounted creating a reentry-focused peer-support certification and building partnerships to deliver services to justice-involved people. She said initial funding came from foundations and the program later leveraged Department of Labor recognition, creating a RAPIDS code for peer support that supports workforce development.
Smith described a training and certification pathway that includes core and supplemental training, 250 practice hours, and pathways to a Department of Labor credential. She said the approach allowed people released from prison to finish certification and reenter the workforce; "75 percent of those that came out came back got their certification," she told the court.
Her examples highlighted workforce-development and community-based service models county commissioners said they wanted to scale or explore as the county builds diversion, deflection and reentry capacity. The hiring decision will be made in executive session.
