Staff report

April is Second Chance Month, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel are reminding Ohioans that the state offers free employment services for individuals reentering society after serving time.

“Individuals who have paid their debt to society and who are eager to get back to work deserve the opportunity to become positive contributors to our workforce,” DeWine said. “I have personally seen that those who are given a second chance can be extremely hard-working, loyal employees.”

Twenty-three state correctional facilities have certified in-house OhioMeansJobs Centers, including three at youth facilities. The centers offer access to Ohio Reentry Connections – a secure, specialized version of OhioMeansJobs.com – where individuals can post resumes when they are within 90 days of release.

They can also take a pre-release assessment within six months of their scheduled release, allowing them to receive pre- and post-release services from an employment professional at the OhioMeansJobs Center in their returning county.

“Ohio has programs that prepare individuals to reenter the workforce with the skills our most in-demand industries need,” Tressel said. “Now, we need Ohio employers to hire these people and help them regain the dignity, purpose and hope that comes with a job. We need these Ohioans on our workforce team.”

Many individuals receive job training while incarcerated, including registered apprenticeships, certificate programs and even college degrees. Federal rules allow justice-involved individuals to access financial aid through the Second Chance Pell Grant.

“At the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, we believe in second chances and the power of opportunity,” department Director Matt Damschroder said. “To support individuals being released from Ohio institutions, we have established specialized OhioMeansJobs Centers inside correctional facilities. These centers help individuals build resumes and connect with employers before release, making re-entry smoother and more successful.”

Ohio employers who hire workers with criminal histories may request a fidelity bond at no cost, providing $5,000 in free coverage for an employee’s first six months of employment. The Federal Bonding Program protects employers against losses caused by fraudulent or dishonest acts, reducing the financial risk of hiring hard-to-place job seekers.

For more information about the Federal Bonding Program, visit bonds4jobs.com or email Ohiobonds4jobs@jfs.ohio.gov.

Ohio Reentry Connections, OhioMeansJobs.com and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) Reentry Resource Portal can help make the return of justice-involved citizens to their communities easier and more successful. The DRC Reentry Resource Portal provides resources and information on housing, education, jobs, and other support services. OhioMeansJobs.com and local OhioMeansJobs Centers offer career planning and exploration, skills assessments, and information about budgeting and financial decisions.