Vocational and Life Skills Evaluation

Overview

The Vocational and Life Skills Program was created by Nebraska Legislative Bill 907 in 2014 with the goals of reducing recidivism and increasing employment for individuals who are incarcerated, who have been incarcerated within the prior 18 months or who are under parole or probation supervision. Programming is offered in all 10 Nebraska correctional facilities, as well as in communities across the state. These programs offer a wide range of services from residential facilities, mental health programming, vocational training, job readiness skills, career certifications, college courses, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more.

NCJR VLS Evaluation
Grant Cycle Four
Grant Cycle Three
Other Reports

NCJR VLS Evaluation

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The evaluation was initiated in May 2015 with the goal of identifying types of programming and services that best serve the population by reducing recidivism and increasing employment. Support is provided to grantees through training and site visits as needed, as well as providing feedback and information to NDCS on the implementation process and data updates.

Evaluation Data

NCJR manages an online data management system where all grantee programs are required to enter individual data and programming information for all Vocational and Life Skills participants. This data is used to generate monthly and quarterly reports for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and the Nebraska Legislature. Additional outcome data for participants is collected from Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Nebraska State Probation, and Department of Labor data. The evaluation team at NCJR also collects information from program site visits and through participant surveys and interviews. This data must comply with certain legislative requirements as described in these Rules and Regulations.

Grant Cycle Four | July 2020 to June 2022

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Programs Funded

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC)
Bristol Station
Mental Health Association (MHA)
Metropolitan Community College (MCC)
Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education (NCWDE)
ReConnect, INC.
RISE
TRADE
York College

Grant Cycle 4 Reports

Grant Cycle Three | July 2018 - June 2020

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Programs Funded

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC)
Bristol Station
Mental Health Association (MHA)
Metropolitan Community College (MCC)
Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC)
ReConnect, INC.
TRADE
York College

Grant Cycle 3 Reports

Other Reports

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Ready & Resilient: Qualitative Findings from Life Story Interviews with VLS Participants