Academic/GED Programming serves as a foundational educational opportunity, enabling offenders to earn their General Educational Development (GED) credential. This program is crucial for those who did not complete high school, providing them with the academic skills needed to pursue further education or employment opportunities upon release. By achieving a GED, individuals not only enhance their self-esteem but also increase their employability, as many employers require a high school diploma or equivalent for job consideration. 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer offenders hands-on training in various trades and vocational skills. These programs are designed to meet industry standards and provide practical experience, which is integral for securing stable employment post-release. By gaining technical skills, offenders can transition into well-paying jobs that contribute to their economic stability and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Examples of CTE programs offered to offenders are auto body, auto mechanic, construction technology, welding, and teknimedia. 

Industry Certificates further complement the educational offerings by providing specialized training and credentials recognized by employers in specific fields. These certificates validate the skills acquired during programming and enhance the individual's resume, improving their employability upon reentry. By achieving industry-recognized certifications, offenders can demonstrate their commitment to personal growth and professional development, increasing their chances of securing meaningful employment.

Examples of Industry Certificates include Department of Transportation Flagging certification, inmate carpentry apprentice program in residential wiring, motors and controls and motors and transformers.

 

Social Science Education addresses the social and cultural challenges faced by offenders during reentry into their communities. This aspect of education focuses on personal development, conflict resolution, communication skills, and understanding societal norms. Programs often include critical decision making and role-playing mimicking real life situations. By fostering emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, social science programming helps offenders build healthier relationships and cope with the challenges of reintegration into society.

Examples of Social Science Education offerings are Common Sense Parenting, Thinking for Change (T4C), Credit When Credit is Due, Moving On curriculum for female offenders, Prison Re-entry Program (PREP), and Women's Opportunity Resource Development (WORD).  

Descriptions of those courses:

Thinking for a Change (T4C) is a cognitive behavioral program designed to help justice-involved individuals change their thinking and behavior patterns. It focuses on cognitive restructuring, social skills development, and problem-solving skills.

Credit When Credit is Due is a financial literacy program to help offenders plan for taking over their own expenses upon release, learn how to reestablish or repair their credit, understand the importance of credit for obtaining housing or employment, realize the consequences of non-payment, and learn how to effectively shop for a car and a home.

Parenting Inside Out (PIO) is an evidence-based parent management skills training program created specifically for criminal justice and systems-involved parents. The program is designed to assist participants in improving their interaction with their child and their child's caregiver.

PreP is a 100-hour reentry prerelease program designed to prepare offenders for a successful transition by equipping them with the basic knowledge and skills needed to reintegrate into the community. The curriculum supports offenders in developing a positive attitude and moral compass, while learning to accept societal rules and regulations.

Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development (WORD) is a program designed to help female offenders improve fiscal responsibility and aid in the transition to community through the identification of obligations, resources, and employment opportunities.

Moving On is a program for at-risk women that provides alternatives to criminal activity by helping them identify and mobilize personal and community resources.

Ready to Rent is a program providing comprehensive information on tenant readiness and eviction prevention education in the rental housing industry.

Common Sense Parenting is a program offered in partnership with Lutheran Social Services and offers practical tools and strategies to address key parenting challenges for offenders who are parents or caregivers to children and adolescents of all ages.