Second Chance Reentry Services Expand to Youth

Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC). More than 1,640 participants have been placed in gainful employment after completing the program. These accomplishments prompted the expansion of reentry services to youth incarcerated in the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) system.

DES representative, Regina Weiler, was recently recognized with the Outstanding Government Partner Award for the life-changing work she is doing to prepare youth in the ADJC system for employment through the ADJC Adobe Mountain School program.

“Ms. Weiler has been instrumental in forming a relationship with ARIZONA@WORK and our team to create a direct connect partnership for students that are transitioning into the community,” said Jackie Ruble, ADJC Internal Communications Manager.

Workforce services within ADJC have been so impactful for youth that the department has decided to mirror the state prison Second Chance Center model with their own onsite reentry unit.

“Ms. Weiler and our ADJC team have opened the door to many opportunities for our youth as they transition from ADJC. Within a very short time, they have expanded our internal transition program to help prepare our youth for better opportunities,” added Ruble.

Youth participating in the ADJC Adobe Mountain School program are introduced to the world of work by ARIZONA@WORK representatives and expert speakers. For many, this is the first time they are learning workforce basics, including how to identify career goals, what steps are required to obtain a career, how to write a resume, apply and interview for a job and much more. Guest speakers educate the youth about workforce opportunities including paid registered apprenticeship programs, training opportunities, and post-release educational and employment support.

Through this program, Juvenile Corrections staff have become credentialed certifiers for the Arizona Career Readiness Credential (ACRC), a tool designed to improve participants’ hard and soft workforce skills culminating with a certification they can present to potential employers to demonstrate mastery of employability skills and their certification levels.

For more information about reentry workforce services and programs, please visit our Reentry Services webpage.