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April 1, 2022

Capital Workforce Partners receives $600K grant in for reentry programs

Photo | Caouic via Pixabay

Capital Workforce Partners announced this week it received $595,418 in federal funding for its career training, job placement and support services programs for those leaving prison and reentering society.

CWP said the almost $600,000 in federal funds will support the organization’s Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (BEST Chance) program, which provides manufacturing, construction, carpentry and culinary training for those returning from incarceration. The program has an emphasis on 18- to 24-year-olds in the Hartford area.

In addition to training and job placement, the BEST Chance program provides help with substance abuse treatment, mental health services and other healthcare and behavioral health support. Through the program, CWP will partner with Community Resources Inc. to conduct outreach in the North Hartford Promise Zone and students at the Hartford American Job Center.

According to officials with CWP, the new round of funding will support up to 50 individuals through the program. Workforce development and reentry programs for those leaving incarceration has been a renewed focus in the state recently.

CWP President and CEO Alex Johnson said that the BEST Chance program has an 87% job retention rate.

“When you consider that the average yearly cost of incarceration for an 18-24 year old individual in Connecticut is about $40,000, the $12,000 one-time cost of training an I-BEST participant offers a remarkable return on investment,” Johnson said when announcing the funding.

The funding was made available through the 2022 federal omnibus spending bill. More information about the BEST Chance program can be found here.

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