Podcast highlights Kentucky initiative for second chance employment

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WASHINGTON - A new podcast spotlights Kentucky's efforts to boost the state's workforce and help people thrive in the aftermath of the opioid epidemic through the Kentucky Comeback initiative.

Ryan Bowman, director of partnerships for the Kentucky Chamber Foundation and leader of its workforce recovery program, and Barbara Aker, Family Pride Director at Richmond Baking and More than a Bakery, joined Legal Services Corporation (LSC) President Ron Flagg for the conversation on Talk Justice.

Their discussion was recorded live at LSC's recent forum in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bowman explained that workforce participation rates in Kentucky have been among the lowest in the nation, usually ranking in the bottom 10 states. Local companies struggled to find employees, he said. In response, the Kentucky Chamber launched the Kentucky Comeback initiative in 2020. Two years later, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation began the Fair Chance Academy to encourage businesses to remove barriers for job seekers in recovery.

"We want to get more people from the sidelines that are willing and able to work, that are qualified to work, that do have some barriers to employment, [but] give them the opportunity by showing businesses tools and resources that they have available to them, free of cost in the state, to help individuals overcome those barriers," said Bowman.

Richmond Baking, based in Versailles, Kentucky, was one of the first businesses to attend the Fair Chance Academy. Aker explained that the loss of her nephew to opioid addiction made her want to provide opportunities to those in recovery.

"When I first approached our management team about doing this, it was met with some fear," Aker said. "But we were able to work through it and start a stream of hiring that has really helped us with retention."