2022 COMBAT Funding: $128,559.00

Serving Women & Girls

The Dahomey Training Center is a substance abuse prevention and anti-violence program based on the protective factor of workforce development in mitigating the occurrence of substance abuse and criminal activity among at-risk populations. Its programs and services are designed for at-risk women and girls. This includes:

• women and girls from families suffering from generational addiction
• women and girls with personal histories of substance abuse
• women and girls involved or associated with criminal activity and lifestyles
• and formerly-incarcerated women facing massive challenges as they transition from correctional facilities to re-entering society

Customized Plan

Under a customized service plan, clients at the Dahomey Training Center will receive weekly client-centered, evidence-based services, tailored to meet their individual substance abuse prevention and workforce development needs. 

Substance abuse prevention services offered at DTC including the following: 

1. Intake assessment 

2. Drug testing

3. Drug education through the Truth About Drugs curriculum

4. Criminal lifestyle intervention through the evidence-based and cognitive-behavioral curriculum --Thinking For A Change (T4C) 

5. Healthy relationship education through the evidence-based, gender-focused, and cognitive-behavioral curriculum - Moving On 

6. Mental illness group intervention through the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) curriculum

7. Anti-violence education series

8. Re-engagement case-management

9. Peer support and intensive wraparound services rendered by certified MRSS and CPS staff

10. Re-entry support including criminal justice compliance

11. Life skills education

12. Transportation assistance

Workforce Development

Workforce development services offered at the Dahomey Training Center including the following: 

1. Job readiness training including soft skills and customer service skills to disadvantaged women in order to foster self-sufficiency (Bring Your A Game curriculum). 

2. Trade and vocational skills training to at-risk girls in order to enhance self-esteem, build character, foster entrepreneurship, and prevent involvement in criminal or substance use activity. 

3. Quarterly hands-on job training with local small (MBE) interior design business

4. Six-month Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship Program

5. Ongoing HiSET and GED preparation assistance

Expansion

In 2021, the Dahomey Training Center will expand to include the following: 

• Trade and vocational skills training to at-risk girls in order to enhance self-esteem, build character, foster entrepreneurship, and prevent involvement in criminal or substance use activity.
• An Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship Program (PAP) in collaboration with the regional Full Employment Council branch, ASE-certified automotive service technicians, and regional automotive repair shop employers

Expected Outcomes

• 85% of participants will abstain from drug use while enrolled in the program
• 85% of participants who complete job training will be employed within 90 days
• 80% of participants completing the anti-violence series will report improved healthy relationships and/or participation in neighborhood violence reduction activities sponsored by partner community support agencies.