Woman honored for education, work assistance

Emily Kirschenmann is helping Dodge County probationers break the recidivism cycle.

As an Americorps program specialist for the Rural Improvement for Schooling and Education (RISE) program, she helps probationers complete their education and find work. For this she receives a living stipend and an educational award that are paid for through a state grant to the probation office.

The District 16 Probation Office is honoring her this week during the second annual Americorps week.

Chief Deputy Probation Officer Steve Ortmeier said the state probation administration office applied for the grant.

Employment and education are two proven areas that help break recidivism, Ortmeier said.

“In theory, by assisting them with education and work, you can stop further recidivism,” he said.

Clients are referred to Kirschenmann by their probation officers for either a six-week employment group setting, a three-week education group setting or both. Adult and minor clients are separated in the group setting and she travels for some clients.

“I meet with a couple of kids at the high school and help them get their work done,” she said.

Besides helping with class work, Kirschenmann also can help with GED work and financial aid applications.

“I’m surprised how many people think you have to have all this money to go to school,” she said.

She helps them get into Metropolitan Community College and other schools to either complete their high school requirements or further their education. She also helps them find jobs while they are attending school.

“A lot of kids have never had a job, never applied for a job and don’t know what to do,” Ortmeier said. “She teaches them what to do and even has mock interviews.”

Even the little things that most of us take for granted are taught.

“We even practice stuff like how to shake hands and look people in the eye,” Kirschenmann said. “We talk about grooming and hygiene.”

She has seen some success since starting in September.

“There was one person on probation who had been unemployed for years,” Ortmeier said. “He found a job and he’s still employed.”

She has spoken to some businesses that have agreed to hire probationers, but other job leads are from newspapers and the Workforce Development office.

“We have a letter they can fill out and let the employer know this is what they did and this is what they’re doing to make it better,” Kirschenmann said.

She also follows up with probationers for six months after they start working with her, even if their term of probation has expired.

“A lot of the people we work with aren’t social people to begin with,” Ortmeier said. “Just helping them with what to say can help. I think the people she’s worked with are doing much better.”

Since September, Kirschenmann has worked with 28 clients. Of those, 14 have maintained or gained employment, two have enrolled in community college, three have completed their GED or are taking classes to do so and seven returned to high school or stayed in high school.

“A lot of people don’t realize the skills they have and that they can use on a resume or application,” she said. “I can help them with that.”

Ortmeier said he expects more and more probationers to be referred to the program the longer it is in place.

“People who are employed and educated are less likely to be involved in criminal activities,” he said. “It’s a neat program because there’s so little cost to the county.”

The grant pays for almost everything but Kirschenmann’s office space.

“I think it eases up on the work load of the probation officers,” Ortmeier said. “When that officer instead can refer to a specialist, it’s a win-win situation.”

If a probationer is not employed, he is required to prove what jobs he has applied for and his progress. The probation officer used to have to deal with this.

“I keep track of the jobs applied for and report to their probation officer,” Kirschenmann said.