ReConnect CT: Digital Pathways Program
Ensuring equal access to educational and community resources for incarcerated individuals and those undergoing re-entry.
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Background
In partnership with the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management and CJPPD, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) at the UConn School of Public Policy will implement an ARPA-funded Digital Pathways education program that expands access to technology for currently incarcerated individuals and for those living in halfway houses or participating in re-entry programs.
Objectives
ReConnect CT expands digital access and skills for people who are incarcerated or returning home. By partnering with community organizations to deliver digital education and training to a population often left out of technological progress, the program helps participants build the competencies they need to pursue education and career opportunities, navigate healthcare and community resources, and strengthen their social and civic engagement.
Partner Libraries
The IMRP continues to build partnerships with Connecticut libraries to support statewide digital equity efforts via programming and technology assistance.
Current partner libraries include:
Brooklyn Public Library
Offers hands-on training, digital infrastructure guidance, and implementation support to equip libraries with the tools and capacity needed to effectively serve returning residents through technology access and digital literacy programming.
Douglas Public Libraries
Supports expanding digital access, literacy programming, and reentry support services for incarcerated individuals, returning citizens, and their families through updated technology, hotspot lending, structured training, and workforce readiness initiatives.
Fairfield University’s DiMenna-Nyselius Library
Provides hands-on digital literacy workshops and technology access for individuals returning from incarceration through a partnership with EMERGE Connecticut.
Hamden Public Libraries
Provides justice-impacted individuals and families with digital navigation training, free laptops, and specialized legal resource clinics to bridge the digital divide, along with community reintegration efforts through social well-being groups, trauma-informed teen workshops, and family.
Hartford Public Libraries
Provides comprehensive digital literacy instruction, workforce development training, and technology access to incarcerated individuals and returning citizens through structured curricula, device support, and reentry-focused programming.
Course Modules
Participating individuals will undertake learning modules currently under development and expected to include:
Digital Security, Privacy, & Ethics Skills
Digital Security, Privacy, & Ethics Skills - Understanding computer privacy settings, data protection and security, and a deeper focus on the ethical use of social media and technology.
Health and Education Information
Health and Education Information - Digital skills necessary to obtain these records and receive health services and upgrade educational skills.
Economic and Workforce Outcomes
An enhancement in trainees’ skills in using digital resources to search for and obtain employment in the present and future and it will focus on building trainee job search and labor market skills.
Community Resource Connections
Assisting participants with how to connect to supports in the community and secure necessary understandings of navigating life in society once again.
Outcome
Participants will be able to utilize these digital skills and tools to identify potential employment opportunities, public resources, and community opportunities. The program will support successful re-entry by reducing barriers to technology, fostering independence, and enhancing overall social and economic outcomes.
Our Team
Andrew Clark
IMRP Director
Brittany Lamarr
Research Assistant & Fellow
Irvine Peck’s-Agaya
IMRP Operations Coordinator
Leslie Sical
Policy and Research Intern