Joint Opportunities to Learn and Thrive (JOLT) Program Activities & Goals

Classroom Training

Initial 12-hour orientation conducted by Blue Earth County (BEC) probation staff and Minnesota State University-Mankato (MSU-M) professor. Biweekly classroom sessions lasting two hours each to be held at MSU and the BEC Corrections Department. View a list of training topics.

Program Activities

  • Field Training-Blue Earth County Community Corrections Department -

    Each MSU student will be under the supervision of a BEC probation agent. The agent will be responsible for assigning case participation/management duties to the student. Students may supervise adult and juvenile petty offenders, truants or low risk offenders. Students may also assist the supervising agent with special projects. Case participation activities may include home visits, employment checks, school visits, GED prep work, tutoring, monitoring conditions of compliance, etc. MSU students will volunteer two hours per week to assist in any case management/special project duties.
  • Mentor Program - MSU-M students will be matched with a high risk juvenile offender who is in need of mentoring services. A meeting will be held with the juvenile, supervising agent, mentor and parents to establish agreed upon goals and rewards for the juvenile. The MSU student will be responsible for keeping a log indicating the activity and the amount of time spent with the juvenile. Mentoring activity with the juvenile will require 3-4 hours per week. Additionally, students will be required to have two contacts per month with the supervising agent to discuss any concerns or accomplishments.

Mission

JOLT is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk juvenile offenders by helping them to make positive choices and establishing meaningful relationships with qualified adult student volunteers, and to provide experiential opportunities for the future workforce in the field of corrections.

Goals


  • Reduce juvenile delinquency by at-risk youth (tracking new offenses)
  • Improve academic performance of at-risk youth
  • Improve attendance rate for at-risk youth (tracking attendance)
  • Increase positive social experiences and emotional support for at-risk youth
  • Increase the skill level of the future workforce in the field of corrections

Target Population


  • Low-risk adult and juvenile offenders for case supervision
  • High-risk juvenile offenders for mentoring program (referral based on Youth Level of Service Inventory score and completed case plan and at agents discretion)
For More Information
If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Greer with the Minnesota State University Department of Sociology and Corrections at (507) 389-5612 or Probation Agent Michele Schroeder with Blue Earth County Community Corrections at (507) 304-4554.