Initiatives
Department of Labor (DOL) grant information
Department of Labor (DOL) grant information -
In FY 2005, a grant from the Department of Labor was awarded to DJJ in partnership with DCE for the development of a Work/Education Release program to be piloted at Natural Bridge JCC. This program provides selected juveniles an opportunity to obtain higher education or work-experiences outside of a JCC campus. Wages earned are first used to pay any restitutions, fines or court costs. The program has 10-available beds for participating juveniles in living quarters separate from other juveniles housed at Natural Bridge JCC.
In addition to the Work/Education Release component, the grant also provided funding for barbering and horticulture programs at Culpeper JCC, a facility which houses a population of older juveniles with longer lengths of stay. Currently, the juveniles at Culpeper JCC who participate in the barbering program provide grooming services for other juveniles housed at the facility as well as for staff. The horticulture program is operational in a classroom setting while a greenhouse is planned. The juveniles are working on beautification projects for all JCCs and will be able to assist with landscaping the Culpeper facility grounds seasonally, as well as taking on additional projects.
Juveniles who participate in a program under the DOL grant are provided with an aftercare component that focuses on employability through education, work experience, direct job placement, follow-up, or a combination of these. Additionally, participating juveniles from both Natural Bridge and Culpeper are given an assessment prior to release that will provide a comprehensive document for transitinal services planning. This assessment incorporates information from the institutional staff, parole officer, DCE staff, juvenile, family, and any other significant person or agency that would impact the youth’s adjustment.
Grant funding will end as of June 30, 2007, however, both DJJ and DCE are committed to continuing these programs and have already instituted a plan to assume program related costs and positions. As of March 30, 2007, there had been a total of 79 juveniles enrolled in the program.