Pictured above: The Offender Workforce Development Specialist Graduates
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) and Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP) joined together to offer the second Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) training this year. The first training was held in Western Pennsylvania this spring, and the second was held in Eastern Pennsylvania September and November. As a reminder, OWDS is an intensive, 160-hour training that prepares individuals to assist the reentrant population in finding and maintaining employment.
Thanks to in-kind support and grant funds, this training is available free of charge; however, sponsoring agencies are expected to cover travel costs.In September 2018, 20 attendees participated in the first 40 hours of onsite training. The second 40 hours of onsite training was held last month (11/26-11/30) at the Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, Pa. In between these two onsite trainings, participants completed approximately an additional 80 hours of practicum assignments, including submission of a video.
During the second week, the participants learned ethical decision-making for a workforce development specialist. This included several case studies and activities geared toward appropriate ethical delivery of workforce services. They went over using technology to assist with job placement and development. This included a two-hour module where the participants reviewed helpful websites to determine how appropriate these websites are for offenders. The participants also learned about soft skill workshops, resume writing and job club development. Finally, the participants completed the planning for their team projects, and will be implementing the projects soon.
We are happy to report that 18 individuals from Corrections (including community corrections), Parole, county prisons, Labor & Industry and a variety of community-based organizations are now OWDS certified.
In addition to co-leads Marisa Millet, correctional counselor 2 (DOC-BCC) and Matt Sheaffer, parole manager (PBPP), we would like to thank the following instructors who volunteered to provide training on various subjects during the two-week training:
- Chrissie Klinger, Penn State University
- Denise Travers, Pathstone
- Tara Marhefka, BCC
- Dan Hornbake, BCC
- Mike Corson, PBPP
- Penny Sines, PBPP
- Traci Jacobson, DOC
- Justin Harlan, BCC
- Karyn Motika, Berkshire County Probation
- Krista Callear, PBPP
- Wayne Woznikaitis, PBPP
The next OWDS training is planned for Spring 2019 in Central Pennsylvania. Employees interested in attending future OWDS trainings in Pennsylvania are directed to contact Dorenda Hamarlund at
dhamarlund@pa.gov.