The Placer County Grand Jury released its final report response regarding the annual inspection of the Placer County Juvenile Detention Facility and recommended the JDF provide information on career and technical training opportunities and expand educational opportunities to include technical training programs.
The JDF confirmed the recommendations have been partially implemented and the opportunities it provides will be strengthened.
Melanie Esque, the JDF superintendent program manager, said the facility has been working with the Placer County Re-Entry Program to provide education and career training to youth before their release.
“We actively have the PREP Center come in for anyone who is 18 and older,” Esque said. “They can come in and do a one-on-one with a transition specialist before they leave the facility.”
The PREP Center program has been extended to provide resources and develop a transition plan for youth once they are released. The facility also has weekly meetings to assist with developing transition plans for youth based on their needs, Esque said. The JDF reported the PREP Center works with Golden Sierra Employment Services and Northern California Construction Training to provide job placement and training for construction opportunities.
Golden Sierra Employment Services has been meeting with youth in the facility who have already graduated to develop an employment program, including interview skills and resume building. The facility will continue to work with Golden Sierra Employment Services to expand off-site job connection events and implement soft skill classes, according to Esque.
The JDF has been working with Unity Care to assist youth with their transition back into the community with education, employment and housing services. Approved field trips will be arranged to provide youth with positive engagements while in the community, the JDF reported.
The facility implemented the Youth Rehabilitation Program in May 2019 to assist youth with transitioning back into the community. Phase two of this program, coming in March, will be the Youth Center, an enhancement to the current program to provide youth with services while they work through the core system in the facility, according to Esque. The program provides services in independent living, cognitive behavior skills, education, work and vocational, mental health and family reunification, the JDF reported.
“We’re excited for the Youth Center program,” Esque said. “It will hit a large array of kids that transition out of the facility.”
February 14, 2020
Gold Country Media
By Stacey Adams
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