RMCEP Provides Career Services to Those Involved in the Justice System

Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) now provides career services to people re-entering the workforce after involvement in the justice system. The Second Chances, Stronger Futures program is made possible through a $30,000 grant issued under the Perkins statute and through a partnership with the REWIND Center and Perham 180.

“At RMCEP, we believe in the power of second chances, and the truth is sometimes one chance isn’t enough,” says Christine Kirschbaum, Regional Coordinator at RMCEP. “That is why we’re proud to announce our newest program: Second Chances, Stronger Futures, which brings bi-monthly workforce and career pathway services directly to individuals involved in the justice system.”

People from all walks of life and different experiences with prison, probation, and group homes can participate in the Second Chances, Stronger Futures program. The goal is to meet people where they are and help them start their next chapter.

RMCEP Job Counselors Provide Individualized Support

No two people are the same, and the team at RMCEP understands that each person seeking assistance through Second Chances, Stronger Futures has unique needs, career goals, and potential barriers to reaching them. This is why Kirschbaum listens carefully to each participant to understand where they are and highlights options to help them get where they want to go. Here are a few of the services RMCEP provides through this program:  

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways: RMCEP can advise participants on high-demand career tracks and help them pursue training and work in these fields.  
• Individualized Career Counseling: RMCEP offers one-on-one guidance tailored to each person’s goals, skills, and life circumstances.
• Employment Readiness: RMCEP can assist with resume writing, offer job application tips, provide interview preparation, and coach participants on navigating employment as someone with a justice-involved background.
• Access to Funding and Services: RMCEP helps participants find assistance options and can refer them to organizations that may offer funding.

Those who need them can utilize multiple services offered by RMCEP. They might start with CTE career exploration and then turn to our counselors for assistance when they are ready to submit resumes and attend job interviews. 

Participants Can Attend On-site Sessions to Discuss Their Goals

RMCEP is working closely with people engaged with the REWIND Center or Perham 180 in Perham, Minnesota. Kirschbaum will visit both organizations bi-monthly to meet with individuals and discuss their career and re-entry goals.

“As individuals prepare to exit those programs, we’ll ensure they are connected with our offices and services so they can continue receiving support,” says Kirschbaum. “Our goal is to build lasting pathways that extend beyond the duration of the project.”

Staff at the programs will also receive materials and contact information to ensure participants can access support between visits. RMCEP always has counselors available to help job-seekers explore their options.

The REWIND Center is a 12-step, spiritually based drug and alcohol treatment center that supports men and women for 90 days or longer on their recovery journeys. It also offers outpatient services that run for 10 consecutive weeks.

The Perham 180 Housing Program helps people with barriers to maintaining housing or employment. It has nine rooms to accommodate residents, each setting monthly goals to build stable futures. These goals can include reinstating driver’s licenses, meeting with local healthcare providers, or improving their social skills.  

RMCEP Works to Meet the Needs of the Community

RMCEP listens to community leaders and citizens who are ready to take the next steps in their lives. It responds to the needs of neighborhoods and counties across Northwest Minnesota. This program allows people to pursue lasting careers and get the help they need to overcome potential employment barriers.  

“We called this program Second Chances, Stronger Futures, but it’s often about third, fourth, or even fifteenth chances,” says Kirschbaum. “What matters is that people keep showing up, and we will keep meeting them where they are at. We are walking with them.”

This program builds on the success of RMCEP’s previous Restoring Connections pilot, which operated across 19 counties and helped almost 50 individuals transition from incarceration to employment or training. RMCEP is taking that proven model and focusing its efforts locally, embedding services where they are most needed and most likely to make a lasting impact.

This program is funded through a grant from the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network, which is part of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Department. Each year, Congress allocates approximately $1.4 billion to fund programs that help people seek education and training related to CTE fields. 

Learn More About RMCEP

RMCEP offers several programs to assist people from all walks of life. Recent initiatives include the Minnesota Youth Program to support at-risk teens and young adults, in-school career advising, and opportunities to help youth with disabilities. RMCEP can assist people of all ages, backgrounds, and career goals. Whether you have a clear vision for the future or need help exploring your options, the helpers at RMCEP are ready to meet with you.

Find your nearest RMCEP location and meet with our job counselors. Walking through our doors – or setting up a virtual appointment – is the first step toward your future career.