Safer Foundation

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES IN ILLINOIS AND IOWA - provides individualized intake assessments, job readiness training, and industry-specific skills development for adults with arrest or conviction records. Participants are supported in securing employment in high-demand sectors such as technology, construction, solar energy, transportation and distribution, warehousing and logistics, finance and banking, healthcare, food service and hospitality, and advanced manufacturing. Safer's approach to building sustainable talent pipelines includes work-based learning opportunities, including pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship models that expand access to skilled trades careers for justice-impacted individuals. With the support of over 200 employer partners, Safer helps participants obtain and retain permanent employment. In addition to participant services, Safer provides dedicated support to employers. These services include tailored job matching, pre-screened candidate referrals, and ongoing post-placement follow-up to promote long-term retention and workplace success. Partnering with Safer gives employers access to a diverse, job-ready talent pool along with coaching and technical assistance. Services are delivered through the ASCEND Service Model, a holistic, evidence-based framework that addresses participants' comprehensive needs. In addition to employment services, participants receive case management, skills training, financial literacy, housing assistance, transportation support, and behavioral health services. These efforts empower individuals to build stronger futures while supporting employers in meeting their workforce needs. Services are made possible through collaboration with key stakeholders and funders, including WIOA Titles I-IV, Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (IDCEO), Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIBs), the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor, Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), Illinois and Iowa Departments of Corrections, and various municipalities, community foundations, and other community-based partners.

SAFER FOUNDATION, AS A NONPROFIT PRIVATE AGENCY, OPERATES SECURE RESIDENTIAL WORK RELEASE CENTERS FOR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. OUR TWO ADULT TRANSITION CENTERS (ATC'S) ARE WORK RELEASE FACILITIES WHICH ALLOW INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE THE FINAL 3 TO 30 MONTHS OF THEIR STATE PRISON SENTENCES IN A COMMUNITY-BASED SETTING. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSITION INTO THE WORKFORCE, RECONNECT WITH FAMILY, AND REINTEGRATE INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS BEFORE RELEASE, ULTIMATELY INCREASING THEIR CHANCES OF BECOMING SUCCESSFUL LAW- ABIDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE TWO ATC'S HAVE A COMBINED RECIDIVISM RATE OF 16.7%, WHICH IS THE LOWEST AMONG PRISONS & ATC'S IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. REDUCING RECIDIVISM DIRECTLY IMPACTS CRIME RATES. SERVICES OFFERED AT THE ATC'S INCLUDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, MEDICAL ASSISTANT TREATMENT, SAFER SKILLS TRAINING (SST), MENTORING, HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY TESTING, AND DEMAND SKILL VOCATIONAL TRAINING. IN ADDITION, NURSES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HEALTH CENTER ARE AVAILABLE AT EACH FACILITY. IN FY23, OVER 450 CLIENTS WERE SERVED AT THE TWO ADULT TRANSITION CENTERS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC RELATED IDOC DIRECTIVES, THE MOVEMENT OF NEW RESIDENTS FROM IDOC TO SAFER ATC'S WAS LOWER THAN NO-PANDEMIC YEARS. ON AVERAGE, 80 HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCIES ARE COMPLETED EACH YEAR, AND ATC RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN-DEMAND SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMS TO EARN INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS.