CALCTRA success stories and program examples families can explore

Looking for job training options for your loved one while they're incarcerated? CALCTRA and CALPIA sometimes publish public materials spotlighting vocational programs and the people who completed them. One example: a set of "newest success story" slides shared through CALPIA's Offender Development resource guide directory. These spotlights won't tell you everything a facility offers day to day, but they give you concrete program names to ask about and a clear picture of the kinds of training CALCTRA promotes.

One alumni spotlight features Timothy Jackson, highlighted as a graduate of CALCTRA's Healthcare Facilities Maintenance (HFM) program. If your loved one is interested in hands-on building systems work, maintenance, or facilities support roles, "HFM" is a specific program name worth writing down. Ask about it through whatever education or reentry channels are available to them.

Another spotlight features Maynard Walker, described as a graduate of CALCTRA's Commercial Diving program through the Marine Technology Training Center (MTTC) in Chino. Even if your loved one is housed somewhere else, this is still useful. It shows a distinct training track (commercial diving) and a named training partner (MTTC) you can reference when asking what similar options exist at their facility.

A third example features Sumit Lal, listed as a graduate of CALCTRA's Computer Coding program, identified as Code. 7370, at San Quentin State Prison. This is a helpful detail for families supporting someone interested in technology. It gives you both the plain-language program name (Computer Coding) and a program code you can reference when asking what coding or computer coursework is available where your loved one is housed.

• ✓ Timothy Jackson: Healthcare Facilities Maintenance (HFM)
• ✓ Maynard Walker: Commercial Diving (through the Marine Technology Training Center (MTTC) in Chino)
• ✓ Sumit Lal: Computer Coding (Code. 7370) at San Quentin State Prison

1. Ask what they are already in (or trying to get into). A simple question helps: “Are you enrolled in any vocational program right now? If not, which one would you choose if a slot opened?”

1. Request the current program list through the right channel. Have your loved one ask their counselor, caseworker, or the facility education office what vocational programs are available now and what the waitlist process looks like.

1. Track public updates so you have names to ask about. When CALPIA/CALCTRA share resource materials or success story spotlights, jot down the exact program names (and any codes shown) so you can reference them accurately in letters and calls.

The success story slides referenced above come from CALPIA's Offender Development resource guide directory, one place CALPIA shares program-related materials. That's a solid starting point for program names, but the facility is still the source of truth for what's actually available to your loved one right now. Your best next step: reach out through the education office, their counselor, or their case manager for the most current information.

• ✓ Ask the facility education office what vocational programs are currently running and how enrollment works
• ✓ Have your loved one ask their counselor or case manager about eligibility, waitlists, and timing
• ✓ If your loved one has completed any training, ask them to keep copies of certificates or completion documents

Read these slides as highlights. They show specific program names and identify alumni who completed them. They don't spell out who qualifies, how long a course takes, what the day-to-day curriculum looks like, whether credits transfer, or what job placement looks like after release. Use the examples as conversation starters, then confirm the real details through your loved one's facility-based education and reentry contacts.