The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board Inc. received a $500,000 grant to implement a youth reentry program piloted in Butler County to help young adults with criminal histories obtain education and employment training.

The funding is among 10 grants totaling $5.8 million awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for Youth Reentry Demonstration Project being run by local workforce development boards. The programs blend academic components and job training, provide connections to area employers in high-priority jobs, support mentorships and forge connections to education and training. The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board is working with Butler County Human Services and criminal justice departments to implement the program, which is aimed at having a positive impact on citizens and employers in Butler County.

The goal of the program is to engage young adults ages 18 to 24 who were previously incarcerated or went through the justice system in a career pathway leading to postsecondary education, advanced training and meaningful employment.

The investment board will serve at least 60 people. The program will operate through March 2022.

The program will prepare young adults who dropped out of high school to obtain diplomas, and help participants pursue education and employment based on their skill sets and training gaps, so they can explore and begin a career pathway that will increase opportunities and decrease recidivism.

“This investment will help those who have interacted with the justice system to get the skills they need for a good job and to build a career,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a news release. “Education and job training are crucial to removing barriers to work, so people can put their lives back on track and build a stronger workforce in Pennsylvania.”

Participants will work intensively with reentry case managers and receive training in High School Equivalency/Basic Adult Education if needed; CPR, AED and first aid; human behavior; legal literacy; financial literacy; life skills; empowerment training, employability skills and civic mentoring.

At the completion of the training, participants will have the opportunity to go directly into the job search and get a job, receive on-the-job training, or receive funds for classroom training depending on career pathway goals to obtain employment with family sustaining wages.

Butler County Community College and agencies, including CareerLink, will provide the education and training.

“BC3 will assist with the education and training component of this grant,” said Lisa Campbell, dean of workforce development at BC3. “We are just very excited to have the opportunity to work with the WIB and other county agencies to deliver this kind of training.”

She said BC3's workforce development staff will be involved in the education and training.

“It is amazing how so many agencies are coming together to train individuals in the reentry program,” Campbell said.