The U.S. Department of Education has announced the release of millions of dollars in grants as well as new tools and guidelines to help incarcerated youth get back on track through things like job training and social and emotional support.

The Department of Education announced it will be providing Portland (Oregon) Community College, Saint Paul (Minnesota) Public Schools, Shelby County (Tennessee) Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia with a combined total of $5.7 million in grants to help improve outcomes for students in the area with a past in the criminal justice system.

"The Department will support the establishment and operation of projects that build on existing efforts to improve reentry outcomes for youths who have been in the justice system, including focusing on career and technical education and building strong partnerships to implement a comprehensive, collaborative approach to improving education, employment, and other positive outcomes for these young people,” it said in a statement.

The announcement was made in sync with the Obama Administration’s National Reentry Week.

"The Obama Administration is hosting events across the country throughout National Reentry Week with stakeholders including federal defenders, legal aid providers, and other partners across the country. These events are designed to raise awareness and make announcements in support of successful reentry strategies that both increase public safety and fulfill our nation’s commitment to the promise of individual redemption,” the Department said.

In addition to the grants, the recently released Rentry Education Framework helps education providers find the best ways to help incarcerated individuals get the education they need.

Read the full story.

Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

4/25/2016