New proposed federal legislation could expand and support students at Austin Community College District (ACC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) presented the proposal at the ACC Make It Center (in Highland Campus) on Monday, January 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His proposal supports workforce reentry programs \u2014 similar to ACC\u2019s program that offers customized certification and workforce training to inmates at the Lockhart Correctional Facility<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are many barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals face. Each year, 80,000 Texans are released from prison. Unfortunately, 40% within a year and 75% within five years go back,\u201d says Sen. Cornyn. \u201cI find myself back at ACC, saying keep up the good work. It is phenomenal what they are doing here. I just can\u2019t help but be inspired by the people who make this possible and who have chosen a new path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The senator was joined by local workforce development officials from the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions – Rural Capital Area, and Goodwill, as well as several formerly incarcerated individuals who have since integrated into careers for a roundtable discussion and tour of the Make It Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The new legislation would strengthen a pilot program that awards funding to organizations with a successful track record of providing career development opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals, like the one at ACC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThroughout my work, I have seen the importance of engaging with our students before release. If we can do that and help them build a personalized plan for how they will enter the community, the recidivism rates go way down,\u201d says Don Tracy, ACC Continuing Education Corporate and Community Education director. \u201cWe need to build a bridge between being our student, completing their program, and with workforce partners in the community our students will return to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n