County Commits $95,000 to Recidivism Reduction Program

The County of San Mateo has committed $95,000 in grant funds to a program that helps former inmates reenter society, according to Christa Bigue, Social Media Manager for the County of San Mateo.

The Success Through Education Program (STEP) is a multi-year plan with six major components: assessment of skills and literacy; academic and vocational advising, seminars in life skills like financial management and job seeking; one-on-one mentoring; assistance with financial aid for education; and paid and unpaid internships.

“Having individuals cycle in and out of jail in San Mateo County means communities are less safe, families are torn apart and the public bears an ever-increasing cost,” said Deputy County Manager Mike Callagy. “Reducing the rate of recidivism will not only reduce the size of the inmate population in San Mateo County jails but also have a major impact on the lives of the people of this county.”

STEP uses evidence-based management practices to continually improve outcomes, which aligns with the County’s philosophy, and follows the three-phase anti-recidivism model – getting ready, going home and staying home—approved by the Board of Supervisors’ Criminal Justice Committee in 2008.

“We rely heavily on a professional staff that has long experience in implementing successful assessment-based learning programs,” STEP Executive Director Barbara Caulley said. “We will assess each individual and tailor training and mentoring to fit his or her needs. Equally important, we will continually assess progress at each step along the way and make adjustments as necessary.”

STEP will work closely with other organizations like adult literacy program Project Read, community colleges and both for-profit and not-for-profit employers.

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