The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board received a $500,000 grant last week to help young adults who have been convicted of a crime re-enter the workforce.

The goal is to help those age 18 to 24 obtain employment through post-secondary education and advanced training. The program, which will run through March 2022, will serve at least 60 people.

It will prepare young adults who dropped out of high school to obtain diplomas and pursue education and employment based on their skill sets and training gaps.

In doing so, the goal is they can explore and begin a career pathway that will increase opportunities and decrease recidivism.

“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,” said Gov. Tom Wolf in announcing 10 grants statewide totaling $5.8 million.

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.

“It is amazing how so many agencies are coming together to train individuals in the re-entry program,” said Lisa Campbell, dean of workforce development at BC3.

Participants will work intensively with re-entry 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.

Societal stigmas work against those with a criminal record reintegrating into society. Some employers won’t hire them. Some people don’t want to live near them.

They still pay for past mistakes.

Successful re-entry programs provide support that is positive and nonpunitive. This means rewards are greater than punishments in every part of the program.

When success, no matter how small, is celebrated and rewarded, individuals are more likely to reach their goals and milestones.