Credit for Experience: Leveraging Prior Learning Assessments in Prison
Exploration
Reentry Campus Program|$200,014|5/2020 - 11/2021
This grant supports Reentry Campus Program in refining their program delivery model to increase the meaningful use of prior learning assessments and wraparound services for incarcerated students in Rhode Island. Setting the stage for broad dissemination, the organization will work to codify the program design, cost structure and associated student outcomes.
Higher Education in Prison Landscape Project
Exploration
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$925,000|7/2019 - 8/2021
This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison in building a national database of higher education in prison programs and associated data.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance|$150,000|1/2020 - 6/2021
As part of Ascendium’s Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison initiative, this grant supports City University of New York’s Institute for State and Local Governance, in partnership with the New York State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision, in bringing together key stakeholders to coordinate and align the educational offerings of 47 college and vocational programs operating across 30 prisons to eliminate programmatic gaps, increase transferability and ensure broad access to high quality postsecondary education across New York facilities.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
Iowa Department of Education|$150,000|1/2020 - 6/2021
As part of Ascendium’s Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison initiative, this grant supports the Iowa Department of Education, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Central Community College, Des Moines Area Community College and the University of Iowa, in developing a plan for expanded postsecondary education options across Iowa that are workforce-relevant and support varied academic and career pathways.
Teaching and Learning Initiative
Exploration
Mount Tamalpais College|$958,700|7/2018 - 6/2021
This grant supports the Prison University Project (PUP) in developing and implementing trauma-informed teaching practices in prison-based college programming and assessing their impact. The grant will also enable PUP to develop and disseminate training materials based on the lessons learned.
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison Capacity Building
Exploration
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$300,000|6/2018 - 5/2021
This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison as it works toward a 501(c)(3) designation, hires core staff, builds infrastructure, solidifies key partnerships and develops three primary strategic focus areas: programmatic support, resource and information sharing, and research and data.
Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison
Exploration
State of Minnesota Department of Corrections|$150,000|1/2020 - 4/2021
As part of Ascendium’s Optimizing Delivery Systems for Higher Education in Prison initiative, this grant supports Minnesota Department of Corrections, in partnership with the "Just Education" Collaborative at the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Minnesota, Inver Hills Community College/Dakota County Technical College and Augsburg University, in preparing to launch their “College at Prison” effort to reimagine postsecondary education offerings across all prison facilities in Minnesota.
Career Navigator Initiative
Exploration
State of Minnesota Department of Corrections|$1,692,430|1/2018 - 12/2020
This grant supports the Minnesota Department of Corrections in increasing access to high-quality career and technical education for incarcerated students at four prisons in Minnesota. New certification (OSHA and Forklift) and training (Heavy Equipment Operation) opportunities will be combined with advising to help students obtain gainful employment post-release.
Ensuring High Quality Higher Education in Prison Programs
Exploration
Institute for Higher Education Policy|$1,903,426|6/2018 - 10/2020
This grant supports the Institute for Higher Education Policy in developing a set of key performance indicators for higher education in prison that will help practitioners use data strategically to improve programs and promote student success.
Supporting the Success of the Second Chance Pell Program in Five States
Exploration
Vera Institute of Justice Inc|$180,000|6/2018 - 11/2019
This grant supports the Vera Institute of Justice in its work at eight college prison programs to pinpoint priority improvement areas and develop plans for a two-year technical assistance engagement aimed at helping programs move more students toward degree completion, connect to reentry pathways and obtain employment.
