County Executive McCoy and Chairwoman Cunningham Announce Albany County ReEntry Workforce Development Initiative

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham announced the passage of a resolution establishing the Albany County ReEntry Workforce Development Initiative. This partnership with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board will provide comprehensive support and job readiness training to individuals released from Albany County Correctional Facility as well as clients of the Sheriff's Homeless Improvement Program (SHIP).

"The Albany County ReEntry Workforce Development Initiative will offer a second chance to those who have served their time and are ready to contribute positively to our community by equipping them with the skills and opportunities they need to secure employment. We will empower these individuals to build a better future for themselves and their families and break the cycle of incarceration, all while supporting our local businesses in the process," said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.

"This agreement with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board will help our efforts surrounding workforce development while providing more targeted workforce training programs. This is a game-changer for our community because it will reduce instances of recidivism while also fostering an Albany County that actively embraces all individuals and their pasts. A huge thank you and moment of recognition to our former legislator, Matthew Peter, who we dearly miss, for leading this initiative. I am thankful that we were able to successfully see it through," said Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham.

Services to be provided to ReEntry Individuals will include:

• Job search planning
• Customized labor market information
• Resume development
• Career counseling
• Developing interview skills
• Customized Career Readiness Online Learning Management System (LMS) through Metrix Learning
• Navigational referral to other agencies that provide supportive services such as mental health, occupational health, transportation, housing assistance, food security, and other wraparound services that will remove barriers for successful employment
• Individualized job development services while advocating on behalf of ReEntry Individuals with businesses in the County and Region and promoting incentives with businesses for hiring, including the Federal Bonding Program
• Personalized case management during job searching and post‐job placement retention services

This new program coincides with another previously announced Albany County initiative by which individuals are paid for the time spent being trained. This ensures businesses are kept whole for efforts to onboard and educate new employees, and was financed as part of the more than $2.2 million in County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds dedicated to workforce development.

Each year in the United States, over 600,000 individuals are release from jails and prisons. Of these formerly incarcerated individuals, studies show 60‐75% remain unemployed up to a year after release. This program is anticipated to significantly reduce recidivism and support the economic vitality of Albany County.

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