Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry program is designed to provide incarcerated persons with the skills needed to effectively transition from incarceration to the community. Courses in the program will focus on job readiness, job preparation, and job retention skills as well as family reunification, personal and social skill development, and substance abuse education. The program includes a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry, as well as other Certificates of Completion in the areas of Addictions and Substance Use Disorders and Professional Cooking and Sustainable Practices.

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Academic Plan Code
3092
Total credits required
65 - 71
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027
What You'll Learn
  1. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
  2. Summarize the effectiveness of conflict, time, money, and stress management for the incarcerated person.
  3. Explain how developing personal skills improves a person's value system.
  4. Summarize how reunification skills promote a healthy self-esteem for the incarcerated person.
  5. Describe communication techniques and styles to enhance healthy families and support systems.
  6. Summarize types of personal boundaries, reasons for setting boundaries, and acceptable ways to set boundaries.
  7. Review decision making skills, strategies, and resources for preventing substance abuse.
  8. Identify job preparation skills for an incarcerated person re-entering the workforce.
  9. Summarize appropriate information disclosure procedures for incarcerated persons on a resume, on a job application, and during an interview.
  10. Summarize procedures and techniques to assist in job retention for an incarcerated person in transition.
  11. Differentiate between protocol, conflict, and communication within the workplace.
  12. Examine the history of drugs of abuse and addiction.
  13. Identify symptoms of addictions and substance use disorders.
  14. Review roles and responsibilities of addictions counselors.
  15. Summarize counselor ethics and standards of practice.
  16. Describe addiction prevention and treatment modalities.
  17. Differentiate between self-help groups and counseling.
  18. Explain professional counseling skills as they relate to the addicted client and family members.
  19. Evaluate and demonstrate effective communication skills for counseling.
  20. Describe the effect of various categories of substances of abuse on the human physiological system.
  21. Review the psychological and pharmacological effects of substance abuse.
  22. Summarize the effects of chronic substance abuse on development.
  23. Explain the physiological effects of detoxification of various categories of substance abuse.
  24. Summarize fundamental principles, concepts and historical antecedents of various self-help groups.
  25. Analyze counseling concepts inherent to the twelve steps.
  26. Demonstrate appropriate beginning counseling and record keeping skills.
  27. Summarize introductory principles of and skills for professional cooking.
  28. Demonstrate basic equipment and utensil use.
  29. Review food safety concerns.
  30. Demonstrate techniques for preparing, cooking, keeping, storing, and protecting various foods.
  31. Practice ethical behavior and professional standards for safe and sanitary handling of food and kitchen equipment.
  32. Identify key ingredients and steps for making stocks, soups, and sauces.
  33. Review foundational baking concepts, such as the role of each ingredient, the importance of measuring ingredients, and how to incorporate ingredients to achieve desired results.
  34. Prepare dough for breads, cookies, pastry, and pies.
  35. Prepare bakery fillings, sauces, and toppings.
  36. Explain the effects of food systems on the environment, health, and communities.
  37. Assess the benefits of a sustainable food system.
  38. Summarize challenges for a sustainable future.
Admission criteria

Permission of Department or Division is required for admission to the Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry program.

Standard Occupational Classification

Upon completion of this certificate, students may pursue a career as: 21-1019.00 Counselors, All Other 21-1023.00 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 21-1029.00 Social Workers, All Other

Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://riosalado.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/3092-RSC06
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

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