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Social Work Students Help Troubled Youth

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A partnership between University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the Nebraska Youth Correctional Facility (NYCF) is helping inmates adjust to life after prison.

Students from professor Ciara Warden’s Social Work Generalist Practice I class have created a resource booklet that the correctional facility can give the inmates as they are exiting the facility.

Warden’s class will present the booklet to the NCYF staff on Friday, Dec. 9, at the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, Room 126, at noon. The event is open to the public.

“We’re trying to get (the inmates) to develop a plan as soon as they get here,” said Ryan Mahr, warden of the Nebraska Youth Correctional Facility.

Mahr said youth are at a higher risk when they exit the facility. Lots of them do not have any employment history or workplace skills. Most do not have reliable transportation.

“They need every resource,” added Mahr.

The UNO students made two trips to the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility during the semester and talked with inmates about what resources they would find useful when they leave the facility. They then compiled these resources into one booklet for easy use.

The partnership is part of the P-16 Initiative. As part of the UNO’s Service Learning Academy, the P-16 Initiative facilitates partnerships between these key groups:

- UNO students and their teachers

- Pre K-12 partner

- Community Originations and their members

For more information contact Charley Reed, the Associate Director of Media Relations, at unonews@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2129.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha


Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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