b'Talent Development Offender Success ProgramThe vision of the Offender Success program is that every offenderDespitethebarriersthe released from prison will have the tools needed to succeed inpandemicposed,during the community and the opportunity to use those tools to be2020,theOffender productive, self-sufficient citizens.Targeted services, such asSuccessprogramserved job placement, housing navigation, and more are provided for210 individuals and achieved formerlyincarceratedindividualsbyOffenderSuccessstaff,a 71.6% job placement rate. and in partnership with other community agencies. Residential StabilityWiththeonsetofCOVID-19inearlyspring,theMichigan DepartmentofCorrectionsandtheNorthwestOffender119 individuals that would otherwise be homeless received Successprogramquicklypivotedtoaddresstheneedsofassistance with finding and securing a place to stayparticipants.The MDOC began to institute mass COVID testing for inmates and for those parolees coming home.Offender 32% of the program budget was spent on providing residentialSuccess staff was charged with identifying placements for newlystability services.released parolees considered close contacts that were required to quarantine.In addition, meeting the basic needs of thoseJob Placement quarantined participants presented a unique challenge at a time when stay at home orders and social distancing requirements72 new participants were enrolled in Job Placement serviceswere prevalent.andreceivedemployabilityskillstraining,jobcounseling,temporary work experience, On-the-Job Training, help withThe regions Offender Success staff rose to the occasion andpurchasing necessary work supplies, and more from dedicatedestablished15newrelationshipswithareapantries,non- Offender Success Job Placement staff.profits, and thrift stores to provide food, basic hygiene items, and clothing for participants in quarantine.Key partnerships were developed with the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End210 Individuals servedHomelessness, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency and the Community Connections program.In doing so, the OS program leveraged over $2,600 in community-based resources for participants.71.6%Job placement rate*State average: 49%33,000 MDOC Prison*Second highest in the statePopulationlowest72 New participants in level in 30 yearsjob placement services26%Recidivism rate, dropped for the59.3% Job retention rate*second year in a row; lowest rateState average: 49.1%in state history and one of the best in the nation *Participants had to maintain employment for 12 consecutive months oruntil successfully completing parole term.TALENT DEVELOPMENT / NETWORKSNORTHWEST.ORG 13'