Offender Reentry Initiatives

Stepping Up Life Skills Program

Stepping Up is a comprehensive life skills program designed to prepare local offenders for successful return to the community.  EOTC provides risk/resource assessments and service recommendations for approximately 1,000 Lackawanna County prisoners annually.  More than 700 men and women participate in EOTC‘s pre-release Stepping Up classes and support groups each year.

EOTC‘s re-entry training includes Literacy/GED preparation, drug and alcohol recovery education, anger management, and other life/work skills.  Classes operate five days a week inside Lackawanna County Prison.  In a federally-funded study of Stepping Up, an external evaluator found lower rates of re-incarceration among offenders who participated in EOTC’s program than a comparison group.

Family Services

EOTC offers parenting skills classes for individuals housed at Lackawanna County Prison.  Topics include child development, effective family communication and responsibilities of parenthood.

Our specialists also facilitate activities to help children maintain relationships with their mothers or fathers during incarceration.  EOTC supervises the parent-child visitation program at Lackawanna County Prison.  In addition, through PA Family Center/Fatherhood funding, EOTC provides a Dad-Read-To-Me videotaping program to help incarcerated fathers stay in touch with their children at long-distance.

The family members of offenders are encouraged to participate in EOTC’s community-based programs to help with the challenges of incarceration and to strengthen the safety net of resources for people returning home from prison.

Post-Release Transition

Former offenders are encouraged to participate in EOTC services after release from incarceration.  The agency’s weekly, open-entry Job Search Support Group is often the place to start.  Our specialists can provide resume help, job leads and other resources to address the complicated issues that arise from re-entry.

For more information contact EOTC career advisors at 348-6484.
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