This edition of Progress highlights partnerships between adult education programs and correctional institutions and reentry programs. Read about the successful win-win partnerships that are strengthening communities and creating career pathways for justice-involved individuals.
Northern Shenandoah Valley Adult Education and Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center
“We want them coming out better than when they came in.”
That guiding principle from Superintendent Clay Corbin has shaped the long-standing partnership between Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center and Northern Shenandoah Valley Adult Education. For more than 30 years, NSVAE has provided GED® instruction and educational support to incarcerated individuals at NRADC, building a program rooted in consistency, collaboration, and the belief that education creates opportunity.
When pandemic restrictions were lifted, the renewed momentum led to the development of Integrated Education and Training (IET) opportunities for work release participants.
Lighting the Path to Reentry: A Correctional IET Program
The first graduating class of Rappahannock Community College’s Adult Education Solar Panel Technician Integrated Education and Training (IET) program—known as SHINE—represented a powerful example of innovation in action. Held at Haynesville Correctional Center, the program stood behind each graduate as a model designed not only to teach technical skills, but also to create meaningful pathways to employment and successful reentry.
The success of SHINE can be understood through four key principles: creativity, flexibility, strong partnerships, and open communication.
Region 2, Southwest Regional Adult Education, is very thankful for all of our reentry and corrections/institutions facility partners. We could not do what we do without their continued partnership and support.
Mrs. Linda Allen, our founding program manager, had a vision for justice-involved partnerships. The highly successful BOOK Program at District #43 Probation and Parole was the first partnership involving justice-involved students.
"Equipping the field of adult education and literacy with essential skills and resources to expand access to high-quality instruction and workforce preparation."
