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Joint Opportunities to Learn and Thrive (JOLT)
Policies & ProceduresTraining Topics
Permission Letter (PDF)
Mentor Preference Form (PDF)
Mentor Program Referral Form (PDF)
Mentoring Agreement (PDF)
Mentoring Plan (PDF)
Activity Log (PDF)
Program Description
A pilot project partnership between Blue Earth County (BEC) Community Corrections and the Department of Sociology and Corrections at the Minnesota State University-Mankato (MSU-M). This is a six credit elective course for MSU-M students in the corrections program to gain practical experience working with adult and juvenile offenders through case management and mentoring activities. Student efforts will be focused on their work in the field and their interaction with the young person they are assigned. Of the three credits required each semester, 2/3 of their time will be spent in the community. Participation in this program will provide a learning experience that falls between two currently required applied learning contexts: Service Learning in Foundations/Orientation and 450 hour internships through the Field Practice course. No textbook is required for this course. Students will be evaluated using a regular grading scale.
Mission
JOLT is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk juvenile offenders by helping them to make positive choices and establishing meaningful relationships with qualified adult student volunteers, and to provide experiential opportunities for the future workforce in the field of corrections.
Goals
- Reduce juvenile delinquency by at-risk youth (tracking new offenses)
- Improve academic performance of at-risk youth
- Improve attendance rate for at-risk youth (tracking attendance)
- Increase positive social experiences and emotional support for at-risk youth
- Increase the skill level of the future workforce in the field of corrections
Target Population
- Low risk adult and juvenile offenders for case supervision
- High risk juvenile offenders for mentoring program (referral based on Youth Level of Service Inventory score and completed case plan and at agents discretion)
Classroom Training
Initial 12 hour orientation conducted by BEC probation staff and MSU professor. Bi-weekly classroom sessions lasting two hours each to be held at MSU and the BEC Corrections Department. (Training Topics)
Program Activities
Field Training-Blue Earth County Community Corrections Department: Each MSU student will be under the supervision of a BEC probation agent. The agent will be responsible for assigning case participation/management duties to the student. Students may supervise adult and juvenile petty offenders, truants or low risk offenders. Students may also assist the supervising agent with special projects. Case participation activities may include home visits, employment checks, school visits, GED prep work, tutoring, monitoring conditions of compliance, etc. MSU students will volunteer two hours per week to assist in any case management/special project duties.
Mentor Program: MSU-M students will be matched with a high risk juvenile offender who is in need of mentoring services. A meeting will be held with the juvenile, supervising agent, mentor and parents to establish agreed upon goals and rewards for the juvenile. The MSU student will be responsible for keeping a log indicating the activity and the amount of time spent with the juvenile. Mentoring activity with the juvenile will require three to four hours per week. Additionally, students will be required to have two contacts per month with the supervising agent to discuss any concerns or accomplishments.
MSU Student Eligibility
- MSU-Mankato students who have completed the following prerequisites:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Community Corrections (may be currently enrolled)
- Complete application and interview process
- Successful completion of reference and background checks conducted by BECCC
- Limited to 10 participants per semester
Program Contacts
Kimberly Greer
113 Armstrong Hall
Department of Sociology and Corrections
Office Phone: 507/389-5612
Email: Kimberly.greer@mnsu.edu
Michele Schroeder
Probation Agent
Blue Earth County Community Corrections
410 Jackson Street Suite 150
Mankato MN 56002-3543
Office Phone: 507-304-4554
Email: Michele.schroeder@co.blue-earth.mn.us
Program Evaluation
Barbara Carson, MSU-M (to be developed)
