Incarcerated Education Since 1975, Eastern Suffolk BOCES has been instrumental in the development and implementation of innovative Educational, Counseling, Vocational, Art, Motivational, Parenting, Civics and Transitional Programs for persons incarcerated in Suffolk County Correctional Facilities at Riverhead and Yaphank (including the DWI Alternative Facility) and for persons attending the Suffolk County's Day Reporting Center. The Incarcerated Education, Day Reporting & Transitional Programs are a result of a cooperative working relationship between Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Suffolk County Probation and the Suffolk County Sheriff. These cooperative Incarcerated Education and Day Reporting programs are represented by: The Incarcerated Education Program for Adults include: Adult Basic Education, GED, English as a Second Language, and Career/Life Planning. These services are provided for at least six hours per week for persons age 21 and older. The services provided by the Incarcerated Youth Program include: Secondary Education, GED preparation, English as a second language, Career and Technical Education. These services are provided for at least 15 hours per week for persons below the age of twenty-one. GED at Day Reporting Center (DRC), Hauppauge Eastern Suffolk BOCES has a Day Reporting Center Alternative High School Program for non-disabled and disabled students, ages 16 - 21 who have been identified as having needs not being met in current school programs in our region. The program offers academic education at a commencement level, development of transition skills and development of social skills designed to foster improved functioning in a school setting. The program includes an Alternative High School Equivalency Preparation Program class designed to prepare students for a High School Equivalency Diploma. The Day Reporting Center, through the Suffolk County Dept. of Probation, provides non-violent offenders Physical and Mental Health Care Services and Substance Abuse Counseling. The educational component is provided by Eastern Suffolk BOCES and instructed by a teacher in the areas of Tutoring, Remedial Education, High School Equivalency (GED), Consumer Economics, Art, Vocational Training and Career/Life Planning. Criminal offenders are assigned to the center as an alternative to incarceration in one of Suffolk County's four other jails. Participants assigned to the Day Reporting Center must attend the program phases consisting of approximately seven hours per day, five days per week. Some are under "house arrest" and are electronically monitored by the Suffolk County Department of Probation during those hours they are not at the center. A non-violent offender assigned to the Day Reporting Center must attend substance abuse counseling and educational classes at the Center. Transitional Services Suffolk County Re-ROUT (Recently Released Offenders Under Training) consists of a collection of interconnected education and counseling programs designed to facilitate the successful re-entry of ex-offenders into society and empower them to lead productive lives. These services are free and ongoing for self-selected individuals. Re-ROUT strives to reduce the recidivism rate of criminal offenders who have completed a period of incarceration and/or probation in Suffolk County, New York. Realizing that the first few weeks post-release can be crucial to a successful transition, participants are encouraged to make contact with the Re-Rout office at Suffolk Community College as soon as possible after release. There, the ex-offender is introduced to the Re-ROUT “Outside" counseling staff. In the weeks that follow, this staff provides the needed services, referrals and support to aid the client's reintegration. Carl D. Perkins Grant The Eastern Suffolk BOCES Jail Education Program, which provides educational services for incarcerated youth and adults in the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities, received a Carl D. Perkins Grant that began in January 2008. Eastern Suffolk BOCES was one of only four correctional facilities in the state to receive the award. Moreover, the state awarded ESBOCES the full funding amount for the grant cycle, which is a total of five years. The grant establishes a framework to integrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) skills into the existing curriculum. The goals that the program aims to reach include the development of academic skills combined with the acquisition of employable skills. In addition, the teachers and counselors work to develop an appreciation of the work ethic so that they are able to understand the responsibilities associated with successful employment. The program will provide instruction and training in professions that are a jumping-off point to further education and entry-level employment. The program counselors and social workers are involved in reintegration efforts coordinated with other county and community agencies provide job placement and transitional services to those persons completing their sentences and who are ready for release. The program was developed to include learning experiences that have real-life application, that are authentic project-based and experiential and allow students to see the interconnectedness between academic skills and career skills. The modules are: General Business Education, Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship, Drafting and Computer Aided Design (CAD) Occupations, and Carpentry. The Carpentry program takes place at the Yaphank Correctional Facility and farm and is a result of a strong collaborative relationship between the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Jail Education Program, the Office of the Sheriff, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension. A licensed contractor/carpenter and part-time educator works with students on the Yaphank Correctional Farm and the Cornell Cooperative Extension to develop building trades skills ranging from basic to advanced. There is collaboration with the classroom teacher in the Yaphank Correctional Facility where students work to obtain their GED and learn academic skills that are then translated into real world job skills in the wood shop with the carpenter. For additional Information you may contact: Robert F. Dembia Administrative Coordinator for Incarcerated Education Programs Eastern Suffolk BOCES Suffolk County Community College 533 College Road, Marshall Building, Room M11 Selden, NY 11784 (631) 451-4220 Fax: (631) 451-4666 rdembia@esboces.org Jamie Moog LMSW School Social Worker Eastern Suffolk BOCES Re-ROUT/Transition Support Suffolk County Community College 533 College Road, Marshall Building, Room M11 Selden, NY 11784 (631) 451-4248 Fax: (631) 451-4666 dmoog@esboces.org