FUNDAMENTALS OF CONSTRUCTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF SELF (TX)

Program Description

The Fundamentals Of Construction and Understanding Self (FOCUS) is a correctional vocational program serving incarcerated men from the Travis County Community Justice Center (CJC), a state jail in East Austin, Texas. FOCUS is a six-week program taught by Austin Community College (ACC) faculty. Ongoing case management, pre- and post-release life skills, therapy, and employment services are provided by several local community-based organizations, local businesses, and government offices.

Specifically, FOCUS requires 240 hours of instruction that includes 180 hours of job skills training and 60 hours of life skills training to prepare inmates for reintegrating into society and reducing their rate of recidivism. Presently, FOCUS works with 60 inmates a year in five classes of 12 persons at the Travis County Community Justice Center, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. Students receive hands-on training in all basic construction skills, exposure to the carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry trades; as well as First Aid, CPR, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) certifications. They also earn eight hours of college credit that can be applied to an Associate's Degree in Construction Management, and Certificates of Completion from the Associated Builders & Contractors, and Associated General Contractors. The program includes cognitive life skills education and a unique form of family psychotherapy during incarceration, followed by post-release therapeutic aftercare, case management, and job placement assistance.

The new program began in April 2002; program participants constructed the classroom building. The students of the inaugural class also selected the program name, FOCUS, an acronym for Fundamentals Of Construction and Understanding Self. Three classes were completed during 2002. An additional three classes have been completed to date in 2003. The curriculum currently includes 1) foundation/concrete work, 2) conventional wall and floor systems, 3) wood roof systems, 4) exterior finish-out, 5) mechanical, plumbing, and electrical wiring, 6) HVAC systems, and 7) interior finish-out.

In 1993, the Texas Legislature passed a new law creating a 4th degree felony, a sentence not to exceed 24 months mainly used for low level drug and property offenders. Thus, the majority of the men incarcerated at the CJC are young African Americans and Hispanics returning to Travis County. Those inmates who are residents of Travis County are eligible for the FOCUS program. In addition to the residency requirement, individuals must volunteer for the program and have a 7th grade educational level based on his Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) score, although a strong preference is given to those who possess a high school diploma or GED due to the mathematics involved in the FOCUS curriculum.

Program Goals
FOCUS aims to reduce the county's recidivism rate by providing vocational training, job placement, and psychotherapy services to nonviolent offenders.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
A high level of collaboration and coordination exists between the program and local community-based organizations, local businesses, and government offices in Travis County.

Outcomes
To date, 75 students have been enrolled in the first six classes. Seventy-four students have completed the six-week program. Of the 50 graduates who have been released from the facility, less than half have obtained employment. Only four have been re-arrested as of April 2003. The remaining released graduates continue in their job searches or are performing day-labor temporary work assignments. The
program has made a concerted effort to maintain a balanced demographic profile of its participants. With regard to race, students have been 41 percent black, 31 percent white, and 28 percent Hispanic.

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