Kansas to receive $2.1M to help formerly incarcerated residents find jobs

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – The Sunflower State will receive more than $2 million to expand job training and education programs for formerly incarcerated residents.

The Kansas Department of Corrections announced on Wednesday, Jan. 14, that it has joined a 4-year national initiative aimed at breaking barriers that prevent those with criminal records from finding work.

“Kansas has long recognized the profound impact education and workforce programs have on our incarcerated population, and our state’s selection for the Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks is true recognition of the strides we have made,” said Governor Laura Kelly.

Kansas is 1 of 4 states chosen for Jobs for the Future’s Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks. The state beat out 30 other applicants.

What Kansas Will Receive

Over the next four years, state leaders said Kansas will receive:

• Up to $2.1 million in funding
• $1.8 million in technical assistance
• Access to a secure data-sharing platform
• Participation in a national learning network

Officials indicated that Maine, North Carolina and Oregon also joined the program.

Why it Matters

State leaders noted that more than 70 million Americans have records of arrest, conviction or incarceration. Many face discriminatory hiring practices and legal restrictions that limit job opportunities.

“States play a critical role in creating education and workforce systems that open doors to opportunity,” said Molly Lasagna, Senior Strategy Officer at Ascendium Education Group. “When leaders align policy, funding, and data around a shared commitment to economic mobility, they can build pathways that work for learners and employers alike—especially for individuals with histories of incarceration that have been traditionally excluded from those opportunities.”

Kansas officials said connecting formerly incarcerated residents to education and employment reduces recidivism and address workforce shortages.

“Connecting returning citizens to training, education, and employment opportunities sets them up for success upon their release and reduces recidivism,” Gov. Kelly noted. “Our efforts are rooted in the core belief that when we invest in people, we create safer communities, a thriving workforce, and a stronger state for all.”

How Kansas Will Use the Funding

The state plans to:

• Strengthen collaboration among state agencies
• Improve reentry metrics and tracking
• Expand employer engagement
• Connect education programs during incarceration to job opportunities after release

“As Kansas experiences significant economic growth and workforce demand, state leaders are showing interest in how fair chance employment can contribute to the state’s future‚” said Rebecca Villarreal, Senior Director at JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement.

Get Involved

State leaders said they are forming a 5-person advisory board of people directly impacted by incarceration. Applications are now open.

“We are excited to collaborate with the bipartisan, inter-agency leaders from across Kansas who are committed to strengthening the state’s workforce, supporting businesses, and creating pathways to quality jobs for learners with histories of incarceration,” Villarreal said.

According to KDOC, the Coleridge Initiative, a nonprofit focused on data-driven public policy, will provide technical support. Mathematica will evaluate the program.

Jobs for the Future launched the initiative in 2024 with support from Ascendium Education Group.

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