EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had numerous participants graduate from different components of the program,\u201d Olivares said. \u201cSome of them decided to continue their education further.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivares said phase two, like the overall program, is unique. \u201cPhase 2 is still, uh, along with the promise program, the 1st of its kind in the nation really,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso Promise expansion aims to cut repeat offenses by adding services for those over 28 (Credit; KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso private school says interest is growing as Texas voucher deadline nears<\/a><\/p>\n Olivares said coordinating schedules can make it difficult to bring new participants into the program.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the coordination aspect of schedules, is one of those things that makes it a little bit difficult, to facilitate the onboarding process,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The extension comes after the program’s first phase required participants to have a high school diploma or GED, or commit to earning one. <\/p>\n Participants also could not have a history of violent or sexual crimes or offenses involving harm to a child. <\/p>\n They had to commit to program requirements, including regular check-ins, attending assigned programs and avoiding new offenses.<\/p>\n Olivares said phase two follows the same requirements while extending support to those over 28. <\/p>\n She said the county saw steady interest from older applicants.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: <\/a>Police identify driver hurt in I-10 West crash near Lee Trevino in East El Paso<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d Olivares said.<\/p>\n El Paso County Commissioner Sergio Coronado spearheaded the project but was not available for an interview. <\/p>\n His term ends in November. Olivares said the program will continue. <\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n Some residents said programs like El Paso Promise can help people move forward after past mistakes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be great for these people or for these children to have more opportunities for a mistake they made beforehand,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n