The Vera Institute of Justice has announced that the state of Michigan has joined its national Pathways From Prison to Postsecondary Education Project.

The state's participation in the initiative was made possible by a grant from the Michigan-based W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Through the Pathways Project, Michigan will receive $1 million to pilot at two correctional facilities educational programming provided by Jackson and Oakland community colleges as well as reentry support services provided through partnerships with community-based human services and workforce development organizations. In addition, Kalamazoo Valley Community College will offer post-release services to participants.

The Kellogg Foundation joins four other national philanthropic organizations — the Ford, Sunshine Lady, Bill & Melinda Gates, and Open Society foundations — supporting the initiative. Michigan was one of six states invited to apply for grants through the project; New Jersey and North Carolina were previously selected to participate.

"The foundation's new partnership with the Vera Institute will help test and prove innovative methods for not only helping the formerly incarcerated reenter the workforce, but also for re-engaging with their families," said Alandra Washington, director of the foundation's Family Economic Security program. "Many of these parolees are parents and this project represents yet another avenue for the foundation to improve the life outcomes for disadvantaged kids."