FRANKFORT, Ky. — As part of an ongoing effort to address Kentucky’s workforce challenges by hiring individuals in need of a second chance, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Recovery Program has announced the completion of its inaugural “Fair Chance Academy,” with 20 business leaders from companies of all industries and sizes graduating from the program in June.
The business leaders that participated in the Fair Chance Academy are certified as “Fair Chance Employers” by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. This certification serves as a clear commitment to finding, hiring, and retaining fair chance talent.
The program took place over the course of three full-day training sessions, held on May 11, May 25, and June 8 at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce office in Frankfort. During each session, employers gained valuable training, information, and resources to successfully foster transformational employment opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder who are ready to re-enter the workforce.
Participating businesses will now spend the next three months implementing what they have learned, with the support of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Recovery Program. This partnership will continue, as needed, to assist their business in the long-term goal of being a fair chance employer and providing more opportunities and career growth for the fair chance population.
The inaugural cohort included 20 participants from across the state representing a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture:
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation will select another cohort of employers to participate in next year’s Fair Chance Academy. The initiative is part of the Kentucky Transformational Employment program, which launched in 2021 to provide a pathway for employers to help more Kentuckians reach long-term recovery from substance use disorders.
The Fair Chance Academy was established through funding from Isaiah House, The Just Trust, Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE), and the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).
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