Teach Not Punish Family Resource Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

TNP?s Education and Training Program provides skills training and skill training recommendations/support for justice-system impacted individuals in the Tulsa area. Participants are assessed and offered assistance with career exploration and interest. We teach emotional intelligence, networking, and social emotional learning to support participants in learning how to deal with change and embrace resiliency. Social and Emotional Learning and Behavior Modification training are also being considered as training options to ensure participants have the tools and techniques to locate and modify negative behaviors. We currently utilize role-playing to replace negative behavior with positive behavior to teach students appropriate responses to various situations and we can teach the same method to the adults in the program. Our program is designed to be culturally relevant and developed on guiding principles around delivering services with a trauma-informed approach and to help alleviate economic burdens faced by justice-system impacted individuals amidst the pandemic and beyond.

EVIDENCE

Research using the Freedom of Information Act showed data of approximately 5,000 persons with a felony record. The findings showed those, felons working and employed, with a felony record were just as likely to complete their workplace commitment as non-offenders. They were also more likely to be promoted than those without a conviction and feel fulfilled. We know that job instability is often a factor in re-entry, poor quality of life post diversion/reentry, etc.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Our program is focused on those that are unemployed, underemployed, and justice-system impacted. Almost 1 in 3 adults in the United States has a criminal record, and finding a job when you have a past arrest or conviction has never been easy. But it's become even more difficult in the midst of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 health crisis that has left millions of Americans unemployed and significantly increased the competition for jobs, public policy experts say.When those with felony convictions or who've been incarcerated struggle to find jobs, the economy loses out on roughly 1.7 to 1.9 million workers, and between $78 billion and $87 billion in gross domestic product, according to a paper by the Center for Economic and Policy Research), released in June 2016, that examined 2014 data. THe TNP Emplyment Education and Training Program will focus on those living in the Tulsa area.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Participants are assessed and offered assistance with career exploration and interest. We measure via pre and post-assessment or retroactive assessment, emotional intelligence, networking, and social emotional, employment training efforts, and employment obtained. Social and Emotional Learning and Behavior Modification training are also being considered as training options to ensure participants are provided tools and techniques to locate and modify negative behaviors. We currently observe role-playing to replace negative behavior with positive behavior to teach students appropriate responses to various situations and we can teach the same method to the adults in the program.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma