1. Alvis House Urban Youth Works Program OJACC Conference September 30, 2010 Lois Hochstetler Alvis House Vice President Agency Programs

2. Reentry Services at Alvis House • “Not just halfway houses, not just in Columbus, & not just for adults” • Administrative & non-residential offices in Columbus • Over 400 halfway house & work release beds in Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, & Chillicothe • Community Reentry Center in Lima • Over 4000 individuals served in 2009

3. Non-Residential Services at Alvis House • Youth Employment & Life Skills, Substance Abuse Education Programs • Family Reentry Programs • Employment & Case Management Services • GED Program • Videoconference Pre-Release Education • Case Management Jail Services • Reentry Court in Northwest Ohio

4. Youth Programs at Alvis House • More than a decade of experience providing services to youth on probation or parole, or incarcerated • Services include reentry programs, employment & life skills programs, substance abuse education services, electronic monitoring, halfway house programming, mentoring services

5. Young Adult Reentry Program/ Urban Youth Works Program • Young Adult Reentry Program (YARP) 2006-2009 • Urban Youth Works (UYW) 2009-Present • Core components of programs the same • Now primarily serving youth on parole rather than incarcerated youth • Added paid internships/work experience, stipends for attending training

6. Who are we serving in this program? • Incarcerated Youth within 90 days of release or Youth on Parole • Ages of 16 & 21 • Moderate to High Risk Offenders • Special Need Offenders • Youth with Poor Educational Histories • Youth with Many, Complex Needs

7. Intake/Assessment • Just prior to/following release • Assessment of reentry & employment interests & needs • Intensive case management & supportive services to address reentry needs • Establishing relationships with youth & family

8. Phase One: Job Readiness Training • Combination of classroom education & community employment support • Back on Track curriculum: job readiness training & life skills • 45 hours over three weeks • Career development plan completed

9. Phase Two: Developing work habits & career development • Intensive case management & supportive services continue • Education- GED, HS registration, higher education • Job search assistance • Work experience/paid internship • Managing reentry needs

10. Phase Three: Career Advancement • Intensive case management & supportive services continue as needed • On-going or new educational experience • Apprenticeship/career training • Additional internship/on-the-job training opportunities • Job retention support • Referrals to local WIA Board

11. What are some of the challenges of the youth we serve?

12. How do we address all these challenges? • Strengths-based focus • Intensive case management to address underlying needs • Normalizing age-appropriate adolescent behavior • Developing relationships with youth & families based on trust • Developing individualized plans & strategies

13. How do we address all these challenges? (Continued) • Seeking out & using real life teachable moments • Appropriate discussion of thinking errors • Emphasis on teaching, not punishing • Patience in repeating instructions & guidance • “Less about the results than about seeing that they hear it.”

14. WIA Board We couldn’t do it without collaboration… WIA Board PAROLE COWIC Worksites & training pgms Alvis House

15. Success by the numbers*… • 344 youth served • 38 youth have earned their high school diplomas • 126 youth have earned their GEDs • 39 youth have pursued post high school/ professional certification training/licenses • 12 youth have participated in paid internships/ work experience • Recidivism rate of 14% compared to 35% youth on parole (2006-2009) *Statistics 2006-present except #6 as stated

16. Success by the individuals…

17. Follow-up: lois.hochstetler@alvishouse.org (614)252-8417, ext. 19 (until early Nov.) (614)252-8402 (after early Nov.)