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TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - ILLINOIS ONLY
The State of Illinois supports programs for specific trades in need of workers. The following is a list of programs that provides free training and a stipend. To participate, you must have been impacted by the criminal justice system or a graduate of the foster care system. You will need to register for an orientation. If your training is on campus, be sure to register this with your regular registration (within 3 days) and register with the college. It is worth the effort!
 
IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation)
- Transportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training Program (TCART)
TCART is a collaborative effort among Chicago-area community based organizations, the Apprenticeship Skill and Improvement Program Local 150, and the Chicagoland Laborers District Council Trainers and Apprenticeship Fund to assure the increased participation of minority groups, disadvantaged persons, and females in all phases of the highway construction industry. As we strive to transform this program offers talented individuals an opportunity to be trained on emerging trends in transportation. The program also encompasses IDOT’s human capital vision for a multi-modal transportation program to fully incorporate human capital factors that support IDOT's project goals, all while empowering individuals to realize their own potential in union-based training settings. Through this program, IDOT hopes to provide knowledge and hands-on training in transportation and highway construction trades. The program also offers job referral and intermodal placement assistance services to successful graduates in the highway construction trades, and labor apprenticeship programs, or in highway, railroad, transit, or airport construction.

For the program flyer and fact sheet, click here.
For the program application, click here.

- Highway Construction Career Training Program (HCCTP)
IDOT has established the HCCTP to increase the total number and relative percentages of historically underutilized individuals working on IDOT highway construction projects. IDOT's college partnerships help provide highway construction industry trade and life skills training to minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals. In addition, the program assists with the placement of trained graduates into Illinois highway construction trade unions, apprenticeship programs, or with IDOT construction contractors.

For more information about HCCTP, click here.

Illinois Department of Commerce

- Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (CEJA)
Through the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (“CEJA Workforce Hubs”), thirteen Workforce Hubs across Illinois will offer training, certification preparation, and skill development for entry-level jobs in clean energy-related industries such as solar, wind, energy efficiency and EV maintenance. The CEJA Workforce Hubs will also offer wrap around services and support in order to help participants overcome barriers to successful completion. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE.

- Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program
The Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program will provide training to prepare people to succeed in apprenticeship programs in construction and building trades that are expected to see clean energy job growth. The goal is to create a qualified, diverse pipeline of clean energy workers. Each program will offer training, credentials, support with enrollment in apprenticeship programs after completion, barrier reduction services and more.
As outlined in statute, the pre-apprenticeship program will consist of three regional centers serving the Chicago metropolitan area, Northern /Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois.

- Energy Transition Navigator Program
The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach, education, and recruitment to eligible individuals to participate in CEJA workforce programs, and work with local job markets and workforce organizations to help place trainees in careers.  The Energy Transition Navigator Program will prioritize outreach and recruitment for the Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program and the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Hubs. They will provide support and career guidance for participants enrolling in these two workforce programs.
The Workforce Hubs will be geographically distributed across Illinois, serving people who reside in or near the following 13 hub areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest & West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton. Workforce Hubs will offer training and services in or near these hub service areas.

- Returning Resident Clean Jobs Training Program
The Returning Resident Clean Jobs Training will provide training within Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) correctional facilities to prepare people in the custody for entry-level clean energy jobs. Participants will receive essential employability skills training as part of vocational or occupational training. The training will lead to certifications or credentials that prepare candidates for employment. The Returning Resident Program will use a standard Clean Jobs Curriculum. 
- Solar Training Pipeline Program
This program establishes a “pipeline,” or “pool of trained installers,” for projects authorized under the Illinois Solar for All Program and the revised Renewable Portfolio Standards. Among its unique features, this program includes funding for programs that provide training to individuals who are or were foster care alumni or returning citizens transitioning into the workforce.  This program was established under the Future Energy Jobs Act.

- Multi-cultural Jobs Program
The Multi-cultural Jobs Program provides $4 million to fund multi-cultural jobs programs which are related to solar installation or similar sectors. The programming is run by diversity-focused community organizations that have a record of successfully delivering job training. This program was established under the Future Energy Jobs Act.
- Craft Apprenticeship Program
The Craft Apprenticeship Program provides $3 million in funding for accredited or recognized apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship programs are offered for particular crafts, trades, or skills in the electric industry.  This program was established under the Future Energy Jobs Act.

For more information about the CEJA programs, click here.

ORGANIZATIONS
AZRSOL (Arizonians for Rational Sex Offense Laws) Providing education, advocacy and support for those living on the sexual offense registry and their loved ones.

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in a variety of states in the goal of standing against discrimination of all people based on their inclusion in an identifiable group.

ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) is dedicated to protecting the Constitution by restoring the civil rights of people listed on the public registries and their families.  In order to achieve that objective, ACSOL will educate and litigate as well as support or oppose legislation.

ALI (American Law Institute) in its initiative to promote laws relevant to sexual offending that are based on research and science.

BAM (Born Again Ministry) in its commitment to provide housing and preparation for community reentry to those exiting incarceration, especially those with sexual offense convictions who have increased difficulty finding stable housing.

CautionClick in its dedication to restoring safety to our communities and rights to registrants by abolishing the registry.

The Community in its mission to foster, encourage, and support the full potential of people with criminal records.

Crossroads of Hope in the goal of restoring hope and acceptance and providing a non-judgmental place of worship to those on sexual offense registries.

CURE (Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants)/CURE-SORT (Sex Offenders Restored through Treatment) in the goal to improve humane treatment for incarcerated people and their families as well as the successful reentry and rehabilitation for those who are returning to society after a period of incarceration.

DDD (Decriminalize Developmental Disorders) in its advocacy to have the vulnerable population of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities recognized by the criminal justice system as having unique challenges and needs.

EJP (Education Justice Project) is a comprehensive college-in-prison program based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The mission of the Education Justice project is to build a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, their families, the neighborhoods from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole.

FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) in their advocacy for fair, individualized sentencing policies as part of a more effective justice system.

FAC (Florida Action Committee) With Unity Comes Change

House of Hope, RI, in its goal of ending homelessness in Rhode Island for everyone, including registrants.

Human Rights Defense Center in the fight for the restoration of constitutional rights as well as basic human dignity rights for all.

ILARJ (Illinois Alliance for Reentry & Justice) accelerating the transformative realignment of power and accountability to reimagine and remake justice through the collective work of the community centering lived experience with participatory democracy models toward an abolitionist future.

Illinois Voices for Reform (ILV) Promoting Effective Laws for a Safer Community

JustLeadershipUSA in the goal of decarcerating the United States by educating, supporting, elevating, and empowering the leadership of directly impacted people, especially those most affected by discriminatory policies, to be more effective advocates in driving national and local policy change and better organizing supporters in their own communities.

LEITNES--a path home in their mission to aid in successful rehabilitation to those on the registry in Virginia by providing meaningful employment to registrants.

Michigan Center for Youth Justice in the goal of assuring that youth who are brought into the criminal justice system are afforded what will most optimally impact their future.

NARSOL (National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws) NARSOL envisions a society free from public shaming, dehumanizing registries, discrimination, and unconstitutional laws.

NewDay Apartments in the goal of making communities safer through providing safe housing for persons on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

PARSOL (Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws) PARSOL advocates for sexual offense public safety measures that work for all Pennsylvanians, policy based on prevention, and laws that respect both our Constituion and the dignity of all people.

Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News in the goal of giving hope to those incarcerated and those dealing with the criminal justice system through the written word.

TACC (Texans Against Civil Commitment) in their fight to end post-prison civil commitment as it is imposed on those with sexual crime convictions.

Texas Voices for Reason and Justice Texas Voices For Reason and Justice is a statewide, non-profit, volunteer organization devoted to promoting a more balanced, effective, and rational criminal justice system. TVRJ advocates for common sense, research based laws and policies through education, legislation, litigation, and support for persons required to register for sex related offenses as well as for members of their families.

UV4SOR (United Voices for Sex Offense Reform) in the shared goal of working to reform and change the life-long stigma and collateral damage that is inherent with sexual offense accusations, charges, convictions, and registration.

WAR(Women Against Registry)/ WAR of Florida in the goal of offering hope to all impacted by the sex offense registry and registry laws, especially the families of registrants.


PODCAST
Registry Matters - Registry Matters began in October 2017 and now has more than 300 episodes. The mission of Registry Matters is to cover issues surrounding the sex offense registry. It will challenge the way you think about policies, laws, and political tactics.

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