Labor Department Awards Indiana $10.2 Million for Prisoner Reentry Training
Updated
Updated · Mirror Indy · Jul 22
Labor Department Awards Indiana $10.2 Million for Prisoner Reentry Training
1 articles · Updated · Mirror Indy · Jul 22
Summary
$10.2 million in federal RESTART grants will expand job training for formerly incarcerated Hoosiers, split into two $5.1 million awards for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Keys2Work.
Keys2Work, RecycleForce and 2nd Chance Indiana plan to train 680 people ages 18 to 24 over three years in seven counties, pairing credentials with transitional employment and referrals from the Indiana Department of Corrections.
About $4.3 million of the state's grant will flow to local workforce boards to run training, employment and apprenticeship programs for formerly incarcerated adults 25 and older, including through EmployIndy in Marion County.
Keys2Work expects to begin enrolling participants before Oct. 1, using skilled-trades training and a short-term paid work model aimed at moving people from immediate jobs into longer-term careers.
How will programs ensure formerly incarcerated workers succeed and stay in Indiana's high-demand skilled trades?
What makes this $10.2M investment different from past federal reentry programs that have fallen short?
Indiana Invests $10.2 Million in RESTART Initiative to Reduce Recidivism and Fill Workforce Gaps
Overview
Indiana has secured $10.2 million in federal funding to help people transition from incarceration back into society. This funding is part of the national RESTART initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Labor, which invests $81 million to address workforce shortages and reduce recidivism. The program provides job training and credentials, aiming to create stable employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals. By supporting reentry efforts and focusing on skill development, Indiana’s initiative seeks to help more Hoosiers find jobs and successfully reintegrate into their communities.