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Chapter 7

jeff_clutter
Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:20:41 GMT

Chapter 7 discusses the recruitment of students into the Adult Career Pathway. For this week's discussion, please discuss the following: 1. Where have you had success in recruiting students into your program, or what ideas do you have to recruit students? What are potential barriers to recruiting students and how can you overcome them? 2. Page 107 mentions the practice of "proactive guidance". What examples of proactive guidance do you have in your program or what could you do to provide better guidance for students?

patgriffin
Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:45:51 GMT

Potential barriers to recruiting students are funding options. From our experience recruiting for specialized training programs, many people do not meet the criteria needed for a specific funding source, and though options are discussed and referrals made, many people are even more discouraged at that point. It is important to have highly trained, sensitive staff working the intake process so they are able to deliver the message regarding any program eligibility and other options for people based on their situation. Pre-screening via the phone or by internet may be effective in getting enrollments into programs, however it may be ineffective in making that one-on-one personal connection and starting to establish a trusting relationship. This may be important to many people that have not been successful and feel rejected or unable to figure out "the system." Perhaps one suggestion to overcoming barriers is to ask potential students to first attend an orientation and start to make a connection with staff, so they may begin to develop the trust needed to be more wi lling to receive "proactive guidance." On page 107, the suggestion of getting test results following test completion by discussing this with a counselor is an excellent example of getting someone engaged and providing the opportunity for intervention. However, it would be important for the counselor or individual providing test results to fully understand the optional service delivery system that exists not just within the training institution but in the community at large, such as services that may be received by the publicly funded WorkOne offices.

ted_pearson1
Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:16:14 GMT

The successful recruitment of students for us is to partner with other prison industry enterprise. Students who participate in a work experience are motivated achieving goals. We recruit by attending new resident orientations and explaining services offered. Some programs invite counselors and case managers to visit the program and explain the services and benefits offered to students during lunch. The barriers we have are that students can participate in one program at a time which limits the number of students. One idea is to partner with the other programs and develop a partnering program plan to present with facility administration. We need to provide more proactive guidance to potential and new students. Sharing a list of ACP pathways that are felony forgiving to new students could focus the student to a realistic career pathway. As Pat mentioned, funding is also a barrier for students. Financial aid is not available to most students. The federal gover nment is piloting a Pell Grant program. Counseling and follow up for students when they first arrive in a DOC facility could provide more proactive guidance.

sbostic
Wed, 09 Nov 2016 21:03:16 GMT

Our students come from our community. We do market, but often times it is word of mouth or repent attenders. Potential barriers are often times work, babysitting issues, and transportation. We do not have a public transportation system, so our students have to find their own ride to class. Right now, we have a life coach who attempts to meet with as many students as he possibly can before they leave our program. As a teacher, I try my best to meet with each new student to discuss his/her potential in class, along with beyond the class. I think our orientation could be better with helping our students understand what is expected from them. We could also do a better job with helping our students explore options that are available beyond the HSE test.

jspiegel
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 18:32:47 GMT

I engage in "First Friday's" every month during the Summer in Downtown Marion, Indiana. I have a booth with several other business and programs and meet a lot of potential students. We probably bring in about 5% of our students from this venture every year. A hurdle for sure is our Spanish Speaking Students. Those who come up to me and want to know about how to get their HSE but their English isnt the greatest. Before we would refer them elsewhere but as of 2015 we have hired an ELL Teacher and now have the capacity to help them as well.

jspiegel
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 18:35:19 GMT

Proactive Guidance: I work with my students daily using their ALP's and online sources. We text, Skype and email when we cannot meet in class. I am always proactive with them so we can manage their goals more effectively.