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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The state of Michigan has been awarded $2.4 million to fund a program designed to provide job training to incarcerated military veterans.<\/p>\n
Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Department of Labor\u00a0and\u00a0Economic Opportunity (LEO)<\/a> announced the grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. It will help fund the new\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Incarcerated\u00a0Veterans\u2019 In-Reach Program (MIVIP), which has the goal of\u00a0providing\u00a0pre-release education, employment assistance\u00a0and\u00a0career guidance\u00a0to\u00a0incarcerated\u00a0veterans\u00a0at seven correctional facilities in\u00a0Michigan.<\/p>\n Read: <\/b>Mason Public Schools get $75,000 funding boost from community donations<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Incarcerated\u00a0Veterans\u2019 In-Reach Program builds on our ongoing efforts\u00a0to\u00a0support our\u00a0veterans\u00a0with opportunities\u00a0to\u00a0succeed,\u201d Whitmer said. \u201cThe MIVIP program offers\u00a0incarcerated\u00a0veterans\u00a0with\u00a0job\u00a0training\u00a0so they can reenter society with a stable career,\u00a0and\u00a0it helps small businesses across\u00a0Michigan\u00a0meet their talent needs. This program\u00a0will\u00a0build on our economic momentum\u00a0and\u00a0aligns with the recent investments in the bipartisan budget I signed\u00a0to\u00a0improve staffing\u00a0and\u00a0enhance facilities in the\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Department of Corrections.\u201d<\/p>\n MIVIP\u00a0will\u00a0be led by LEO\u2019s\u00a0Veterans\u2019 Employment\u00a0Services\u00a0team and the\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Department of Corrections\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Works! network. As part of the program,\u00a0veterans\u00a0will\u00a0also receive post-release\u00a0services\u00a0with the aim of reducing \u2018recidivism,\u2019 a criminal justice term referring to the rate at which people convicted of crimes are reincarcerated.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the primary goals of the\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Incarcerated\u00a0Veterans\u2019 In-Reach Program is\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0incarcerated\u00a0veterans\u00a0understand how their military experiences can bring value\u00a0to\u00a0the civilian workplace,\u201d said\u00a0Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO\u2019s Office of Employment\u00a0and\u00a0Training. \u201cWhile serving in the military, many of these\u00a0veterans\u00a0acquired certifications or licenses, as well as marketable skills such as teamwork, problem solving, adaptability\u00a0and\u00a0effective communication \u2013 skills\u00a0and\u00a0qualities employers find desirable. Through MIVIP,\u00a0veterans\u00a0will\u00a0learn how\u00a0to\u00a0leverage their military experience\u00a0to\u00a0help them successfully transition into civilian life.\u201d<\/p>\n MIVIP provides boosts to each correctional facility\u2019s existing programs, including basic adult education, GED certificate and violence prevention, substance abuse\u00a0and\u00a0counseling\u00a0to\u00a0address underlying mental health issues.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an exciting\u00a0and\u00a0important addition\u00a0to\u00a0the host of\u00a0services\u00a0we\u00a0provide\u00a0to\u00a0those under our supervision who\u00a0will\u00a0soon be returning\u00a0to\u00a0the community, especially for\u00a0incarcerated\u00a0veterans,\u201d said\u00a0Michigan\u00a0Department of Corrections Director\u00a0Heidi Washington. \u201cThis\u00a0will\u00a0help further set them on a path\u00a0to\u00a0success, enable them\u00a0to\u00a0more easily transition back into society, find employment\u00a0and\u00a0help reduce the recidivism rate even further.\u201d<\/p>\n Next:<\/b><\/p>\n Subscribe to our <\/i>News 10 newsletter<\/i><\/a> and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning.<\/i><\/p>\n Copyright 2022 WILX. All rights reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n