Workforce nonprofit seeks $150,000 from county to sustain adult-education and reentry programs after federal cuts

Connie McCullen, chief operating officer of River Valley Resources, asked Jefferson County commissioners on July 18 for a one-time $150,000 payment to maintain workforce-development and reentry programs that the organization said lost 50% of its funding after federal rescissions effective July 1.

McCullen said River Valley Resources runs adult education (GED), JAG (a dropout-prevention program), CCDF childcare vouchers, the senior employment program and RuralWorks reentry programming. She told commissioners that federal funding for adult education was rescinded July 1 and that the agency had to reduce classes; she said the local programs serve people affected by the opioid crisis and that the organization had 11 teachers across the region who were now laid off or furloughed.

McCullen said the requested $150,000 would sustain proven, evidence-based programs that provide occupational-skills training (some in partnership with Ivy Tech), drop-out prevention and reentry services inside the Madison Correctional Facility and other county jails. She provided program flyers, data and financials to commissioners and offered site visits at the clearing house and prison classes.

Commissioners did not record an on-the-spot decision on the request during the meeting. McCullen said River Valley Resources is also seeking help from the community foundation and other partners and asked commissioners for any assistance the county could provide.

Next steps: commissioners will review the written materials provided by River Valley Resources and consider the request with other funding priorities; no appropriation was made at the July 18 meeting.