Finding a job with a criminal record can be challenging, yet employment and a steady income can provide purpose and stability for individuals released to community supervision. With the unemployment rate nationwide very low, the need for labor high, and movements such as “ban the box” geared to reduce the barriers to employment for ex-offenders, opportunities do exist today. In an attempt to bridge this gap, in Fresno County GEO Reentry is partnering with the Fresno County Probation Department to operate a program specific to employment readiness for individuals on probation. Opened in 2021, the Fresno County Employment Readiness Services (ERS) program provides education and employment services for individuals.
Participants are referred to the program based on individual needs, and the program length is dependent on those needs and employment goals achieved. Some of the participants have been supervised within the Fresno County Day Reporting Center, which delivers cognitive behavioral treatment, case management and other services designed to support individuals released to community supervision.
A non-residential center, the Fresno County ERS assists participants in becoming self-sufficient. GEO Reentry offers participants different service tiers based on self-assessment information, risk levels, and employment experience and aptitude. The service tiers address reentry barriers and challenges and assist participants in setting educational and employment goals.
The ERS provides workshops that can resolve skills gaps, enhance interpersonal and technical skills, and position participants for long-term success. Participants complete educational and vocational training, online testing, and certifications at the onsite computer lab, where they receive coaching as needed. In addition, the center offers referrals to community services, OSHA certification, HiSET® Academy, individualized coaching, and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Employment (CBI-EMP) to help restructure participant thinking and behavior. The ERS center is located near multiple bus stops for easy participant access.
The Fresno ERS offers these workshops:
- A New Start: This baseline workshop helps orient participants to local services available in the Fresno area. It helps participants understand the basic needs and assistance programs available as well as teaches participants how to access employment resources and vital documents necessary for getting a job.
- Finding a Job: This workshop teaches participants effective job search methods, including how to develop a network of contacts, contact employers directly, use an employment agency, and search for jobs on the internet.
- Applying for a Job: This workshop takes the participant from exploring their opportunities to beginning the application process. It covers how to complete a job application, including organizing necessary documents, addressing employment gaps, and creating a resume. This session helps build confidence in the prospective employee.
- Nailing the Interview: This session helps participants enhance their interview skills by emphasizing the importance of a positive first impression and how to answer interview questions, including those related to their justice-involved history.
- Career Development: This workshop helps participants think beyond their current employment situation. It is designed for employed participants interested in advancing their career skills and improving long-term employment prospects. This session dovetails well with the goal-setting techniques participants learn in cognitive behavioral treatment groups and counseling.
Other workshops cover topics such as professionalism, effective communication, self-management skills, and how to be an effective team player. Each workshop builds on the other, so the participant has a solid foundation and understanding of what it takes to get, keep and build upon a job.