DISCUSSION
The STEP-UP program serves students in high-quality credit-bearing career technical education and associate degree programs at Shasta College. STEP-UP is a joint effort of Shasta College, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Shasta County Probation Department, Good News Rescue Mission, and the California Heritage Youth Build Academy.
Administered by Shasta College’s Economic and Workforce Development department, STEP-UP students are screened, risk assessed, and referred by local law enforcement or reentry service providers to specific Shasta College credit bearing programs. Each of the partners are able to identify and refer participants who are appropriate for the program. The Good News Rescue Mission provides a four month college preparedness course to all participants prior to enrollment into college and counsels, tutors and assists participants in obtaining their GED or diploma. The Sheriff’s Department and Probation work directly with adult offenders throughout the time they are in the program to ensure attendance and success. Shasta College provides participants with counseling services, assistance with financial aid appointments and forms, and meal cards.
In January 2016, with the support of several community partners including Probation, Shasta College applied for a competitive grant to expand the STEP-UP program. Initially, the program supported one cohort of 25 students annually and included associate degrees and career technical education certificate programs in heavy equipment operations, automotive technology, and office administration. In March 2016, the grant was awarded. With the grant funds, the STEP-UP program was expanded to include additional associate degrees and career technical education certificate programs in welding, business administration, and fire technology. The program also expanded to include two cohorts of 25 students annually; one cohort in the spring semester, and one cohort in the fall semester, for a total of 50 students. The program quickly showed positive results including 34 students enrolled during the Fall 2016 semester who had an average GPA of 3.4. At the completion of the Spring 2017 semester, four students earned their program certificates and twenty-two additional students are on track to graduate in December 2017.
Due to the benefits and success of the program, on May 3, 2017, the Community Corrections Partnership Executive Committee (CCPEC) approved funding for an additional cohort of 50 students. This will increase the total number of participants in STEP-UP to 100. The CCPEC has committed to providing these funds for two years. |