PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2016
CONTACT: Jimmy Bell
WIOA-11 Director/SWHRA
731-983-3688
Grant Awarded to Southwest Human Resource Agency/Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-Area 11
Henderson, TN. – Southwest Human Resource Agency has been awarded a $38,063.00 grant from the Delta Regional Authority to aid in The Inside Out Dad/Responsible Mom jail program that is designed to aid inmates in learning parenting skills and aiding in job placement once released. The project will be under the guidance of the Local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Area 11.
The Inside Out Dad/Responsible Mom project is a jail program designed by the National Fatherhood Initiative and American Corrections Association. It is an evidenced-based program for incarcerated fathers and mothers. Funds will be used to pay for a Coordinator and Career Specialist as well as purchase the handbooks and supplies for the classes. The program works by inmates for the program being selected by the Sherriff’s Department. The inmates must be being released in the next 6 to 12 months to be eligible for the program. The length of the program is 12-13 – 1.5 hour sessions all held bi-weekly for a total of 6 months per class. There are no more than 10 participants per class. The classes are centered on a gender-specific curriculum with the opportunity to read and discuss the curriculum and answer questions to enhance learning. The Inside Out Dad/Responsible Mom program is divided into two areas: (1) Individual growth and development and (2) Professional or vocational growth and development. The main goal is to help these inmates develop the skills and tools needed to lead a productive life, obtain employment and stay out of jail. Currently, there are eight classes being held in 5 counties which are: Chester, Decatur, Haywood, Henderson, Madison.
Partners involved in this project include: Local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Area 11, Southwest Tennessee Development District (SWTDD), Southwest Human Resource Agency (SWHRA), and Delta Regional Authority.