Aspire MO is a employment readiness program for incarcerated women developed in partnership between the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Missouri Department of Economic Development's Missouri Women’s Council, and fellow state agencies and community partners.
The original Aspire MO program operated at Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center from 2019 to 2020 and ceased training because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With 27 participants and 19 graduates, the original Aspire MO model proved to be a successful tool for reentry, as it reduced recidivism rates among participants to nearly 0%. The program was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and served as a case study for U.S. Senate legislation promoting entrepreneurship as a reentry tool.
Aspire MO 2.0, launched in 2023, is a warehouse, manufacturing, and supply chain training program that is modeled after the Aspire MO Entrepreneurship training program.
Missouri has extensive manufacturing and distribution industries that are located across the state. This training initiative provides nationally recognized certifications to women who are soon to be released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center.
Successful graduates will earn their OSHA 10, Certified Production Technician 4.0+ with Skill Boss, and Precision Measurement Instruments certifications. In addition to the technical training, each graduate will be provided eight hours of Clifton Strengths training conducted by Jessica Macy with Partner for Better. Connections to Success provides two weeks of the evidence-based Personal and Professional Development (PPD) training program. PPD includes creating a life plan and resume, training on soft skills and goal setting, professional clothing, and mock interviews. Upon release, graduates will receive peer support led by Connections to Success life coaches.
3 окт 2024
