SOUTH FORTY & FRESH START (NY)

Program Description

The Osborne Association, founded in 1931, provides a broad range of mental health, physical health, and substance abuse treatment, education, and vocational services to more than 6,500 prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. Services are provided in community sites in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and at the organization's headquarters in Long Island City (Queens); in New York City jails and New York State prisons; and in New York City courts. Staff of the Osborne Association reflect the populations they serve: more than 80 percent are people of color, and many are former prisoners, people in recovery, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Osborne's South Forty Employment and Training Services program provides comprehensive vocational services for prisoners on work release, former prisoners, parolees, probationers, and the parents and other family members of juveniles in detention or under other forms of court supervision. Services include vocational assessment, employment readiness training, social service referrals, personal development and confidence-building workshops, job-search assistance, job placement, and post-employment support in adjusting to the demands of the workplace and staying employed. The vast majority of South Forty's clients access services immediately after release on a referral from the courts, a probation or parole officer, other social service agencies, or government agencies.

Osborne also operates Fresh Start, a life and job skills program for male prisoners at Rikers Island, the New York City jail. Fresh Start offers a combination of job training (in culinary arts, journalism, or computer skills) and counseling that begins during incarceration and continues after release. Each participant receives a comprehensive discharge plan, which identifies the individual's most pressing needs and outlines a roadmap for meeting those needs. After release, program participants may continue to keep in touch with the counselors and instructors for mentoring and support and may attend support groups of program graduates.

Program Goals
The goal of Osborne Association’s employment services programs is to connect former prisoners with meaningful job training and placement services that will lead to stable employment and reduced recidivism.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
South Forty and Fresh Start staff assist clients in accessing additional services they may require, for example, substance abuse treatment, family counseling, support in living with HIV/AIDS, and assistance with housing and transportation. In many instances, other programs within Osborne itself may provide these services. Osborne also works as part of New York City’s Employment and Training Coalition, using
the collective strength of a group of organizations working on similar issues to press for systemic change in workforce development policies.

Outcomes
South Forty tracks a number of program milestones including program enrollment and completion as well as job placement and retention. South Forty places more than 750 people in jobs annually. Recent statistics show that 70 percent of Osborne clients who participate in its job readiness and placement programs are still on the job after 90 days.

According to Fresh Start, in 2001, out of 66 individuals enrolled in the program, over 80 percent completed it. Of those who completed the program, 85 percent had remained employed and avoided reincarceration six months after release.

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