The State of Kansas becomes part of a nationwide initiative to improve education and training opportunities for individuals with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration.

The Kansas Department of Corrections has joined the inaugural group of Jobs for the Future’s or J-F-F's Fair Chance to Advance State Action Networks. The program is designed to expand educational and workforce training for individuals with histories of incarceration. Kansas will work with J-F-F’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement to address barriers such as discriminatory hiring practices and legal restrictions that limit economic opportunity for the more than 70 million people nationwide with arrest, conviction, or incarceration records.

Kansas was chosen from more than 30 applicants based on its ongoing efforts to expand economic mobility, cross-agency collaboration, and a clear plan for using the group to drive long-term change. As part of the program, Kansas will set up clearer ways for state leaders to work together, improve how reentry success is measured, and involve more employers as job opportunities grow across the state.

Governor Laura Kelly called the state's participation in the program a chance to connect returning citizens to training, education, and employment opportunities that will set them up for success upon their release