NCJ Number
59593
Date Published
1978
Length
55 pages
Annotation
THE MANUAL DESCRIBES PROJECT ESPERANZA, A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IN SAN JOSE, CALIF., THAT HELPS FEMALE EXOFFENDERS READJUST TO SOCIETY THROUGH COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
Abstract
THE STAFF FOR PROJECT ESPERANZA IS COMPOSED OF A DIRECTOR, A JOB DEVELOPER, INTAKE PERSONNEL, TRAINING INSTRUCTOR, AND COUNSELORS. ALTHOUGH EACH MEMBER HAS A PRIMARY AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, A TEAM APPROACH IS USED TO ASSIST CLIENTS. THE PROJECT IS ADMINISTERED UNDER CETA-SPONSORED AGENCIES, BUT HAS AN ADVISORY BOARD DRAWN FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. COOPERATIVE AND COMPETITIVE RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNSELING AND MANPOWER SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED. THE MANUAL DESCRIBES THE HISTORY OF ESPERANZA, IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROGRAM, IT HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS OF FUNDING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT. CASA RESIDENTS MUST FOLLOW RULES AND SCHEDULES, BUT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN RUNNING THE HOUSE. COUNSELING IS DONE ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS. TRAINING IS PROVIDED IN VOCATIONAL SKILLS AND JOB-HUNTING TECHNIQUES. STAFF MEMBERS ALSO CONDUCT A JOB DEVELOPMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM. ALTHOUGH ESPERANZA HAD TO ALTER ITS JOB TRAINING PROGRAM IN MIDYEAR, THE PROJECT WAS STILL SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS OF THE HIGH PERCENTAGES OF PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETED TRAINING AND FOUND JOBS. THE PROGRAM WAS EVALUATED WITH FAVORABLE RESULTS THROUGH COMPARISONS WITH SIMILAR PROJECTS AND A TELEPHONE SURVEY OF EXOFFENDERS WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN ESPERANZA AND OTHER TRAINING PROGRAMS. TABLES ILLUSTRATE THE PROGRAM'S COSTS. THE MANUAL SUMMARIZES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGENCIES INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING A SIMILAR PROGRAM THAT ARE DRAWN FROM PROJECT ESPERANZA'S EXPERIENCES. (MJM)