Metropolitan Community College’s 180 Re-entry Assistance Program (180 RAP) serves the currently incarcerated, individuals leaving jail, prison and treatment centers and people involved with problem solving courts. 180 RAP provides services and support to help these populations make successful transitions to achieve their education and employment goals.
The Re-entry Center is based out of MCC's main campus - Fort Omaha Campus - north end of campus in building #8.
The 180 RAP mainline is 531-622-7368 or 531-MCC-RENT.
Re-entry Center hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursday & Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
180 RAP services and supports include:
- Skills and interest assessments
- Career and educational goal setting
- Work readiness and life skills training (credit and noncredit classes)
- Registration assistance, financial aid and scholarship application support
- Continuous coaching, tutoring and mentoring
- Employment support: resume creation, job referrals, ongoing support
- Transition support for individuals leaving jail, prison, treatment facilities
- Onsite wraparound support and referrals to community partners
- Access to the Re-entry Pantry & Resource Center: basic needs including food, hygiene, clothing, SNAP application assistance, birth certificate and ID acquisition, special needs, etc.
CREDIT COURSES INSIDE STATE FACILITIES
Credit classes are offered onsite at Omaha Correctional Center, Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Nebraska Correctional Center for Women and Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility. Eligible work release residents in Omaha and Lincoln may register for online or campus classes with facility approval.
Credit classes are bundled into fast-track options for career training:
- Trades
- Information technology
- College and career preparation
These career pathways lead to stack-able credentials and include courses such as:
- EXPL 1000 - Exploratory Studies
- INFO 1001 - Information Systems and Literacy
- PROT 1000 - Introduction to Process and Power Operations
- WELD 1000 - Print Reading for Welding
- PROT 1302 - Stationary Engineering I
- INFO 1141 - LInux Operating System III
Noncredit Courses
Noncredit classes are offered inside correctional facilities and on campus to help the incarcerated and re-entry populations gain employability and job seeking skills to empower these populations to successfully transition. Noncredit workshop topics and offerings include but are not limited to:
- CDL Preparation
- Construction Academy
- Digital Literacy
- Financial Empowerment
- Forklift Training
- OSHA Training: Construction and General Industry
- Reintegration Planning
- StrengthsFinder & Strengths Builder
- Mastering Soft Skills: Relationship Building, Time Management, Decision Making and Goal Setting
RE-ENTRY JOB CENTER
180 RAP staff is uniquely equipped to assist the re-entry population with obtaining employment. 180 RAP assists with resume creation or updates, interview preparation and direct employment referrals. In 2022, the Re-entry Job Center served 2,328 people with a 97% employment rate. The Job Center has connections to over 300 second chance employers in every industry. Prior to scheduling an appointment with the Re-entry Job Center team, individuals must first attend Orientation.
If you are an employer interested in scheduling a tour or would like to learn more about Metropolitan Community College’s Re-entry Center and 180 RAP, please contact Carolyn Laible. If you would like to forego a tour and receive potential employment referrals from 180 RAP, complete the online Employment Referral Information Form or if for reason you cannot fill out the online form, please complete the form and scan to reentry@mccneb.edu
Re-entry Pantry
The Re-entry Pantry is available for access anytime the Re-entry Center is open. You may receive assistance with food, hygiene, clothing and other items received as donated items. If you were recently released from jail, prison or a treatment center, you are eligible to receive a transition backpack filled with hygiene, towels, ready to eat food and other supplies.
If you are interested in donating gently used clothing or household items, email 180 RAP call 531-622-7368 to coordinate no-contact drop off.
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
180 RAP offers peer support groups at the MCC Re-entry Center:
- Long Term Relief meets on Wednesday at 5:30 pm is open to anyone incarcerated 10+ years and/or those who have served multiple sentences
- Doin' Life (Not Time) meets on Saturday at 8:30 am and is open to anyone ever incarcerated
- Living Above Your Circumstances (LAYC) - TBA, beginning in fall quarter
If you meet either criteria, please join us as we help each other move forward.
IT Technician Academy at Omaha Correctional Center
MCC received the Google Impact Challenge Nebraska grant to expand training opportunities and access to IT career pathways by offering the IT Technician Academy at Omaha Correctional Center. The IT Technician Academy provides students with a broad and general overview of information technology. Courses within the IT Technician Academy align to Amazon Web Services and Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications.
Living In Freedom Everyday (LIFE) Project
MCC received the CAREERS Grant from the Bureau of Justice Administration to provide comprehensive case management, collaboration and transition support to a pilot group of individuals planning to release to the Omaha area. The LIFE Project team is working with Vera Institute of Justice, Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services, various employers and community housing providers and other partners to support this work. If you have questions, please email 180 RAP.
Next Steps - How Do I Get Involved?
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in 180 RAP, the next step is to attend Orientation. Orientations take approximately 30 minutes to gather demographic information, assess immediate needs, provide support and schedule necessary follow-up appointments. Orientations are available Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 am - 7:30 pm, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. We look forward to working with you.
180 RAP - a full turn in the right direction!
180 RAP Team
Greg Glass, Re-entry Assistant
Kristina Christiansen, Peer Support Mentor
Brandon Jergensen, Peer Support Mentor
Curtis Boyd, Peer Mentor
Damon Picotte, Peer Mentor
James Ross, Peer Mentor
Christina Vollman, Peer Mentor
Christopher Reed, Employment Peer Mentor
Dave Eblin, Resource & Employment Specialist
Rich Eppenbaugh, LIFE Specialist
Isabella Hiatt, Full Turn Specialist
Doreen Cotton, Re-entry Financial Aid Specialist
Elida Padolina, Resource Associate
Carolyn Laible, Job Center Lead
Glenn Flenorl, Resource & Data Specialist
Brooke Spenceri, Coach
Jeff Hendred, LIFE Coach
Liz Steinhour, Coach
Sharri Wirth, Program Manager
Diane Good-Collins, Director
180 RAP email: reentry@mccneb.edu
180 RAP telephone: 531-622-7368 or 531-MCC-RENT
Mailing address:
Metropolitan Community College
Re-entry Center, FOC, #8
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777