Chapter 4.5The Education and Employment Reentry Program

Section § 14415

Explanation

This law emphasizes the importance of conserving natural resources and supporting community resilience in California. It highlights the benefits of the California Conservation Camp program, which employs incarcerated individuals to handle emergency situations like wildfires and floods and participate in conservation projects. The program is seen as beneficial for rehabilitation, providing job skills and opportunities for former inmates, particularly in conservation and emergency response roles. The law supports partnerships that further improve job prospects for these individuals, contributing to environmental goals like reducing greenhouse gases and protecting watersheds. Additionally, the program offers personal development and education, aiming to reduce reoffending and help former inmates become productive citizens.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the state’s environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore California’s environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.
(5)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5)(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5)(B) Protect source watersheds from which the state’s water supply originates.
(C)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5)(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.
(D)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5)(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.
(E)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(5)(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
(6)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.
(7)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps’ existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.
(8)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(a)(8) Drawing upon the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 14415(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
California Conservation Camp natural resources incarcerated individuals emergency response former inmates conservation projects forest health greenhouse gases reduction watershed protection carbon storage Job opportunities rehabilitation programs civic responsibility workforce development environmental goals
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.1

Explanation

This law allows the director to create an Education and Employment Reentry Program for individuals who were previously incarcerated. Specifically, it targets those who have successfully worked in a California Conservation Camp and have received recommendations from both the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The aim is to help these individuals with education and employment opportunities.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.1(a) The director may establish the Education and Employment Reentry Program within the corps and may enroll in the program formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew and were recommended for participation as a program member by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.1(b) For purposes of this chapter, “program” means the Education and Employment Reentry Program.
Education and Employment Reentry Program formerly incarcerated individuals California Conservation Camp recommendation Director of Forestry and Fire Protection Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reentry program employment opportunities education opportunities successful completion corps involvement program member enrollment rehabilitation job readiness incarceration reentry support
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.2

Explanation

This law section outlines how certain individuals, as described in Section 14415.1, can join a program focused on motivation, hard work, personal growth, and public service without considering their past job or education. The enrollment is similar to corpsmember rules and lasts up to a year, with potential extensions. Program participants receive a stipend and benefits similar to corpsmembers. The director, along with the Employment Development Department, will help participants find jobs after the program.

The corps can also partner with state and local agencies to create plans for job training and reentry for those who can't usually enroll due to corps rules, like age limits. However, people older than 25 are not required to be accepted as corpsmembers.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.2(a) Persons described in Section 14415.1 shall be selected for participation as a program member on the basis of motivation, hard work, personal development, and public service, and without regard to their prior employment or educational background. Program member enrollment shall follow the same policies as corpsmember enrollment within the corps. Program enrollment shall be for a period of up to one year with the opportunity to extend program participation in accordance with corps policy. The director, in conjunction with the Employment Development Department, shall prioritize developing and executing plans to assist program members in obtaining continued employment following participation in the program. During participation in the program, program participants shall receive a stipend consistent with the current corpsmember pay system. Program participants shall also be eligible for benefits offered to all corpsmembers.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.2(b) Subject to the discretion and approval of the director, the corps may enter into a planning agreement with appropriate state and local agencies, including, but not limited to, local community conservation corps and organizations providing reentry and counseling services, to develop reentry and job training opportunities for individuals described in subdivision (a) of Section 14415.1 who do not otherwise qualify for corps enrollment under corps policies, such as age limitations. This subdivision does not require acceptance into the corps as a corpsmember of any individual over 25 years of age.
program participation motivation personal development public service stipend corpsmember benefits Employment Development Department job training opportunities reentry services planning agreement local community conservation corps age limitations counseling services enrollment extensions program member eligibility
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.3

Explanation

This law outlines the activities that participants in a specific program should generally be involved in. They include projects like managing natural resources and land, reducing fuel and managing vegetation, and restoring forest health to decrease greenhouse gases.

Additionally, the law covers conserving and improving resources in urban and rural areas, helping with fire prevention and disaster operations, and protecting watersheds crucial to the state's water supply. There's also a focus on promoting long-term carbon storage in forests and minimizing carbon loss from intense wildfires.

Participants may also assist in developing and rehabilitating parklands, recreational, and historical resources for the Natural Resources Agency.

Participants in the program shall generally be engaged in any of the following activities:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(a) Natural resources or land management projects.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(b) Fuels reduction and vegetation management projects.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(c) Proactively restoring forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(d) Conserving, maintaining, improving, and developing natural resources in both urban and rural areas.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(e) Assisting in fire prevention and assisting in disaster operations.
(f)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(f) Protecting source watersheds from which the state’s water supply originates.
(g)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(g) Promoting the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.
(h)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(h) Minimizing the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.
(i)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.3(i) Assisting departments within the Natural Resources Agency in developing, rehabilitating, and restoring parklands, recreational facilities, and historical resources.
natural resources management land management fuels reduction vegetation management forest health restoration greenhouse gas reduction urban conservation rural conservation fire prevention disaster operations assistance watershed protection carbon storage forest carbon loss prevention parklands development recreational facilities restoration
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.4

Explanation

This law outlines the goals for a program designed to support the forestry corps. The program should create partnerships and opportunities as mentioned in another section (14411), work with the Employment Development Department for job services, collaborate with organizations that provide housing, health care, and education, and utilize partnerships to achieve these aims.

The program shall accomplish all of the following objectives:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.4(a) Develop, partner with, and create opportunities for the forestry corps program objectives described in Section 14411.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.4(b) Collaborate with the Employment Development Department to provide access to workforce services.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.4(c) Collaborate with nongovernmental organizations dedicated to providing access to counseling, mentorship, supportive housing, health care, and educational opportunities.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 14415.4(d) Employ collaborations and partnerships available to the corps consistent with this division.
forestry corps workforce services Employment Development Department partnerships nonprofit collaboration counseling access mentorship supportive housing health care opportunities educational opportunities community collaboration forestry program goals development partnerships program objectives workforce access
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.5

Explanation

This law ensures that the program created under this chapter does not take the place of or limit any current or future programs and training available to people who were previously incarcerated.

The program established pursuant to this chapter shall not replace or restrict existing or future programs and training offered to formerly incarcerated individuals.
formerly incarcerated individuals program replacement program restrictions training programs future programs existing programs formerly incarcerated support rehabilitation programs reentry programs incarceration rehabilitation programs for ex-prisoners training for ex-inmates community reintegration prisoner reentry support post-incarceration support
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14415.6

Explanation

This law section states that the program outlined in this chapter will only go into effect if money is allocated for it through the annual Budget Act or another law. In other words, the program requires funding to be officially implemented.

Implementation of the program pursuant to this chapter is contingent upon an appropriation being made in the annual Budget Act or another statute for its purposes.
program funding appropriation Budget Act conditional implementation budget allocation state funding program activation funding requirement financial allocation contingent funding budgetary provisions program contingency funding dependency appropriation necessity budget ordinance
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 587, Sec. 1. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2020.)