Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a contract for $30,000.00 between Columbus City Council and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University.
Columbus City Council will partner with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the development of the Reentry Entrepreneurship Program (REP). The purpose of REP is to provide current and previously incarcerated individuals with the information and education that they need to start the process of developing a small business. The program will focus on strategic plan development, entrepreneurship training, personal and basic business finance and leadership development. Participants will focus on issues such as business viability, mentorship, recruitment and training.
Former inmates face substantial obstacles in finding gainful employment, a significant and well-documented factor in recidivism. States that provide additional business education training beyond remedial courses show a correlated decrease in recidivism and an increase in overall employment of those previously incarcerated.
The program will be based upon other initiatives that have already been successfully implemented in other correctional facilities around the country. The intent is to develop REP in coordination with the Franklin County Corrections Division, so that program services can be provided to those currently incarcerated in Franklin County facilities.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University is an interdisciplinary center that resides in the Fisher College of Business, but is able to utilize resources and assets from many of the other academic centers throughout the university, such as public policy, social work, and law. For this reason, the Center is especially well-positioned to partner with Columbus City Council on the development of REP.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the Jobs Growth subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in initi...
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