EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County officials are preparing to expand a rehabilitation program aimed at keeping those who have a criminal background out of the criminal justice system.
The El Paso Promise Program is moving into phase two, which will expand services to individuals over the age of 28. Phase one served people ages 17 to 28.
El Paso Promise Community Coordinator Dominique Olivares said the program is designed to reduce repeat offenses by connecting participants with education, certification programs, and workforce training.
“We had numerous participants graduate from different components of the program,” Olivares said. “Some of them decided to continue their education further.”
Olivares said phase two, like the overall program, is unique. “Phase 2 is still, uh, along with the promise program, the 1st of its kind in the nation really,” she said.
County officials are also shifting how the program is described. What was previously called re-entry support is being rebranded as pre-entry services, with a focus on helping people before they end up incarcerated.
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso Promise expansion aims to cut repeat offenses by adding services for those over 28 (Credit; KFOX14)
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Olivares said coordinating schedules can make it difficult to bring new participants into the program.
“I think the coordination aspect of schedules, is one of those things that makes it a little bit difficult, to facilitate the onboarding process,” she said.
“But I think as we continue to market the program and expand the understanding of what the program is. I think we will see a lot more increase of onboarding.”
The extension comes after the program’s first phase required participants to have a high school diploma or GED, or commit to earning one.
Participants also could not have a history of violent or sexual crimes or offenses involving harm to a child.
They had to commit to program requirements, including regular check-ins, attending assigned programs and avoiding new offenses.
Olivares said phase two follows the same requirements while extending support to those over 28.
She said the county saw steady interest from older applicants.
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“We noticed a consistent interest in the program by individuals over the age of 28, some were even submitting the application on on their own accord, um, through our website,” Olivares said.
El Paso County Commissioner Sergio Coronado spearheaded the project but was not available for an interview.
His term ends in November. Olivares said the program will continue.
“The county is invested in the program and it’s built into the strategic plan and the strategic initiative, so it will continue to see support.
Some residents said programs like El Paso Promise can help people move forward after past mistakes.
“It would be great for these people or for these children to have more opportunities for a mistake they made beforehand,” one resident said.
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Another said, “If they have something kind of laying down guidelines or like some kind of plan for them, it’s going to keep a little bit more responsibility for them.”
A third added, “Everyone deserves second chances. One mistake shouldn’t represent you as a person. It’s your actions that speak louder than your words.”
More details about phase two are expected to be presented at next week’s county commissioners meeting. Information on how to apply is available at epcounty.com/promise.
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