Many parolees struggle to find success because the transition from prison life to life after prison is difficult. One of their biggest challenges comes when applying for jobs and lacking a high school diploma or equivalent, that employers require. However, dozens of Sacramento County parolees now have an advantage in their job search.
On June 26, a total of 34 clients of the Sacramento Community Based Coalition (SCBC) walked across the stage at the Rosemont High School Performing Arts Center to receive their High School Equivalency Certificates. The clients earned these certificates after passing the General Educational Development (GED) test.
"When we first launched the SCBC program in 2007, we knew our first clients had educational needs. Many had not finished high school, but wanted better opportunities for themselves," Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon told the graduates. "I hope you look at earning your High School Equivalency Certificates as the beginning of a new chapter, one that involves the future and all the possibilities it brings."
SCBC is a collaborative effort between the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and is specifically designed for men and women reentering the community from state prison. The objective of the program is to address the needs of parolees at increased risk of violating their parole and/or returning to custody.
SCBC program participants are eligible to receive educational services that include literacy skills, Equivalency Certificates and high school diplomas, math skills, vocational training referrals, and substance abuse education. Participants include men and women on parole in Sacramento County who have been referred by their parole agent.
The SCBC program applies the LINKS career technical education model aimed at helping high-risk students succeed. Services are tailored to individual students based on their specific needs instead of through traditional, scripted education.