The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a cooperative agreement for a 24-month period to begin no later than September 15, 201 4. Work under this cooperative agreement will involve the facilitation of a key informant

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focus group consisting of subject matter experts specific to career theory, cognitive behavioral principles, motivational interviewing and blended learning techniques and practices; the review of current research related to workforce development, employment retention, recidivism and evidence-based programing; and the identification of the various practices and policies that support successful community transition and the long-term attachment of justice involved adults to the workforce.

The major deliverables associated with this project include, but are not limited to a revised 40-hour blended training curriculum based on a university model to ensure continuity of knowledge between the Employment Retention:
Principles and Practices Training and the Employment Retention Specialist certified trainings, a professional training protocol specific to combined motivational interviewing techniques and cognitive behavioral principles that support skill mastery and/or proficiency, an assessment process to evaluate participant progress, and a certification protocol to award continuing education units for the Employment Retention Specialist training.

This project will be a collaborative venture with NIC’s Community Services Division.