|
News - 2011(BACK)
Colorado Work Release Residents Maintain Impressive Employment Rate
West Caldwell, NJ April 13 -
Residents are hard at work at Community Alternatives of El Paso (CAE), CEC's 225-bed residential reentry center in Colorado Springs, where work release participants are holding an impressive employment rate - on average 65-70% of eligible work release residents are employed. Keeping employment rates up amongst residents is a focus at CAE where community reentry and steady employment go hand in hand. CAE provides services for the Colorado Department of Corrections and Colorado Division of Criminal Justice.
"We are very pleased with the progress our residents are making in securing and keeping jobs. It helps transition them to the community. This helps achieve our goal of producing drug free, crime free individuals while providing for a safe community, reunited families, and lower recidivism rates. It is a process that works well together," says Matt Yeaton, Director of CAE.
CAE has maintained excellent relationships with community employers, and brings prospective partners to the facility for tours to see firsthand the services residents are provided with.
"When we have a good base of employers we invite them to the facility for job fairs. It’s good for both parties. Employers learn what community corrections are about, and get an understanding of the program. In turn our residents have an opportunity to meet many employers and increase their chances for securing employment"
says Director Yeaton.
A recently formed alliance with the Next Step program of Colorado is also expected to boost the positive employment rates at CAE. Next Step acts as a go between for offenders and employers, helping secure a government tax credit for employers to hire those with a criminal record. They provide seminars in resume writing and interviewing skills, and act as a liaison between employer and resident.
Director Yeaton attributes the good employment rates at CAE to the experience of his case management staff and the expert training they deliver to the residents. The case managers and program coordinator are focused on a high level of quality of care and together share 36+ years of case management experience. Residents are diligently coached on how to search and interview for jobs, and how to be good employees.
The combination of dedicated staff, good community relations and willing residents has produced an all around success for CAE. They plan to continue being of service by creating safer communities and transitioning law-abiding citizens. | 
