Employment Academy

Blue Jacket, Inc.; Allen County Community Corrections

Blue Jacket, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that was created by and runs under the auspices of Allen County Community Corrections. The organization offers pre-employment job training, transitional job placement and support services for ex-offenders.

Description

Participants in the training program at Blue Jack- et, “Employment Academy,” are referred through Allen County Community Corrections’ Reentry Court and home detention programs. The Employ- ment Academy consists of 60 hours of rigorous curriculum-based and on-the-job skills develop- ment, all of which takes place during a two-week time span. Students at the Academy spend 30 classroom hours learning “soft skills” such as job- searching, interviewing, filling out applications, résumé writing, and workplace expectations. Ivy Tech State College provides class space and com- puters for students to write résumés and complete vocational and interest assessments. In addition to classroom time, students spend 30 hours a week at community service jobs, where they focus on effective communication and problem-solving.

After successful completion of the Employment Academy, a Job Developer screens and matches clients with employers using databases of employers with a history of hiring individuals with a criminal record. (The databases are available through Community Corrections and other orga- nizations.) The Job Developer makes cold calls to employers to enquire about positions and sets up interviews for clients. Employment is contracted for three to six months, with the possibility of hiring the employee full time upon completion of the transitional term. Employers receive $1,150 as reimbursement for training and retaining pro- gram participants. During the transitional term, a staff person will follow up on the employee over the phone and during scheduled meetings.

Blue Jacket currently receives its funding from Community Corrections. However, it is interested in becoming an independent social enterprise.