Delaware County, Indiana, is introducing a new program to help justice-involved individuals find meaningful careers in manufacturing. The Judicial Users Manufacturing Partnership (JUMP) program gives formerly incarcerated people the skills they need to fill one of Delaware County’s 400 vacant manufacturing jobs and participants are paid about $15 an hour. The program is supported by the Delaware County Probation system, Ivy Tech Community College, and 23 small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies.
The program was founded by John Bush, who worked in the Delaware County Probation Department for 15 years. Inside INdiana Business recently interviewed Bush. In that conversation, he said, “The reception has been wonderful. I think a lot of the employers understand there’s a need, but also they understand there are individuals that while paying their debts to society, they still have the potential for change, and [the employers] really appreciate the relationship between the government and the judicial system in how we are supportive in that relationship to ensure longevity and ensure permanency.”
According to Inside INdiana Business, the JUMP program currently has 55 participants, and Bush hopes to increase the number to 100 individuals in the first year.
The program was recently awarded a $60,000 grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation. This funding will be used to staff and operate the program in its first year.
