Second Chance Re-Entry Program for Youth

The Second Chance Reentry Program for Youth will assist successful transition from juvenile facilities to the community and promote public safety. Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. (OPP) will expand its existing successful re-entry supports and services to additional youth returning to the greater Hartford community. Part of a larger city-wide effort to reconnect youth who have dropped out of high school or who are not in school and are not working, the program will ensure that youth who are being released back to their communities receive both pre- and post-release services and supports, information and access, comprehensive case management plans directly addressing criminogenic risks and needs, and services consistent with the youth's learning styles and abilities.The program will provide youth with mentoring by leveraging OPP's Behind the Walls Navigator program. Participating youth will join the Hartford Youth Service Corps, providing up to 470 hours of service learning, and giving back to their communities, while earning a wage. Youth will access OPP's holistic wrap-around services and supports in Personal Development, Academics and Workforce Development. Youth will be screened across all domains (educational status, career interests, basic needs supports); they will be matched with a Youth Development Specialist; they will develop an Individual Success Plan with goals in all three pillars; and they will demonstrate positive behavioral changes as tracked by assessment of ISP goals. In the area of education, youth without a high school diploma will access a diploma granting program, and those who re-enroll in a diploma program will make progress as demonstrated by grade to grade promotion or graduation. For employment, youth will complete Career Competency Development Training; complete 470 service learning hours within 12 months, and develop a transition plan for post-secondary education or vocational training.