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U.S. Labor Secretary Scalia awards ECSD with $4 million Pathways Home grant

Posted on: July 8, 2020 - 2:30pm
U.S. Labor Secretary Scalia awards ECSD with $4 million Pathways Home grant

MIDDLETON – The Essex County Sheriff’s Department in collaboration with Volunteers of America was awarded a $4 million grant from the federal Department of Labor and Employment for its Re-entry Vocational Training Center, a program guided by Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger to help inmates find wage-sustaining employment while receiving comprehensive rehabilitative services upon release.

U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia joined Sheriff Coppinger at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building in Boston on July 7, 2020 to announce the award. The Essex County program was one of only 20 chosen across the country and the one Secretary Scalia chose to highlight in his announcement of the Pathways Home grant awards.

“At the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, we start working on re-entry the moment a person walks into our facility and that work continues throughout their time with us. This grant allows us to continue our vocational training and our educational programs while bolstering the supports we can offer to people after their release,” Sheriff Coppinger said. “We are thankful to our partners in this project who are helping us reduce recidivism numbers the right way – by helping people become successful, productive members in our communities.”

The Essex County Re-entry Vocational Training Center serves 550 participants from the Middleton House of Correction, the Essex County Pre-release and Re-entry Center in Lawrence, and the Women in Transition Program in Salisbury. The program offers pre-release participants training in asbestos removal, C-Tech, and hardscaping, as well as the opportunity to take both credit and noncredit courses at Northern Essex Community College.

Upon release, participants receive support in job placement from the Merrimack Valley Workforce Board and One Stop Careers Center. A case manager works with the participant to ensure supportive services are provided including housing assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, legal services, and other supports to prevent recidivism.

The $4 million Pathway Home grant is a “significant investment,” said Charles Gagnon, CEO and President of Volunteers of America Massachusetts. “It’s really about getting people back to work, have them healthy and stable so they will not recidivate back into corrections.”

Sheriff Coppinger said the key to this program is the partnerships with Volunteers of America Massachusetts, Northern Essex Community College, the Merrimack Valley Workforce Board, and the New England Concrete Manufacturers Association (NECMA).

“Northern Essex Community College is proud to be partnering with Sheriff Coppinger and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department to provide educational programs that give inmates the tools they need to be successful after they are released,” said Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn. “Leading to jobs and further education, these kinds of programs are an investment in the future of these individuals and their communities.”

NECMA President Larry Nicolai was present for the award and said it was a great honor for the department.

“The impact of this program is immeasurable. Our industry needs highly skilled workers and this program provides not only the training that’s needed, it provides hope for so many looking for a second lease on life,” Nicolai said.  “We could not be prouder of this partnership.”

 

ABOUT THE ESSEX COUNTY RE-ENTRY VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

  • The program serves 550 participants from the Middleton House of Correction, the Essex County Pre-release and Re-entry Center in Lawrence, and the Women in Transition Program in Salisbury.
  • Each participant is assigned a case worker who develops an Individual Development Plan. Each participant takes the Holland Code Career Test and Online Work Readiness Assessment and is enrolled in a program to obtain their HiSet, if they have not completed high school or an equivalent program.
  • The program trains and certifies participants in an array of programs including C-Tech, asbestos removal, and hardscaping and they receive OSHA certification. Participants are provided the opportunity to enroll in both credit and noncredit courses at Northern Essex Community College and all participants receive a Job Readiness Skills Certificate from the school.
  • Upon competition of the program, an employment specialist works with the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board and One Stop Careers Center to assist the participant with securing employment. Once released, participants receive supportive services including assistance with housing and basic needs, legal services, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and services to prevent recidivism.