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​The Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training Alliance (PACTT) provides systemic leadership in the efforts to improve the academic and career/ technical training that delinquent youths receive while in residential placement, and in their home communities upon return.

PACTT has clear standards for this work in residential, day treatment and community-based (non-residential) programs. PACTT provides technical assistance to correctional programs, both out-of-home placements and in the community, to give them the tools to meet the standards. Affiliated agencies have voluntarily agreed to meet standards for providing relevant, high-quality academic and vocational education services to the youth that they serve. These standards are identified as program elements, described below.
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PACTT Affiliate Application
 

 ​PACTT ELEMENTS OF PARTICIPATION

 
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Each of the affiliated residential and non-residential agencies have agreed to provide the following CORE programming:
  • Utilize PACTT’s Employability and Soft Skills Manual (ESSM) with all youth, age 14 and older.
  • Document ESSM training progress and at the discharge, includes this information as part of the youth’s educational record and probation discharge packet.
  • Develop a discharge portfolio for youth that indicates their progress toward completion of competencies.
  • Offer opportunities for remediation in numeracy and literacy, credit recovery and/or acceleration.
  • For youth having a disability, facilitate their involvement with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • Assist youth in accessing career/technical training, post-secondary education and job placement opportunities.
  • Offers at least one (1) of the following basic certificates: OSHA-10, ServSafe, MOS; International Computer Driving License (ICDL).​
In addition to the aforementioned core programming, to be affiliated agencies must provide services in a minimum of one of the specialty areas listed below. However, agencies may choose to become affiliated in two or all three of the specialty areas. Based on their chosen specialty area(s), affiliated agencies have agreed to:
 

 I. Academic Instruction

 
​Maintain a rigorous academic curriculum fully aligned with Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards.
  • Perform transcript audits for youth to prioritize education programming and to determine if any individual needs exist.
  • Test youth upon admission to determine their academic abilities and to ensure appropriate placement in academic subjects.
  • Test youth prior to discharge to identify educational gains made.
  • Ensure the availability of certified Special Education teachers as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).​
  • Provide supports for youth who have special needs in their IEPs.
  • Provide opportunities for youth to obtain a GED and connects them with post-secondary training and career opportunities.
  • Request and transmits school records within the timeframe required by PDE.
  • Provide individual case management to support youth’s transition to school.
  • Provide supports for English Language Learners (ELL).
  • Align academic courses and course descriptions with PDE’s Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS).
  • Whenever possible, provide instruction through low youth-to-teacher ratios.
  • Provide staff with regular professional development.
 

 ​II.​ Work Related Services

 
​Conduct a work skills and interest assessment with all youth between the age of 14-21.
  • Directly offer, or make available through another entity, opportunities for youth to gain real-life work experience or work-related restorative projects and practices.
  • Directly offer, or make available through another entity, opportunities for youth to participate in a paid work experience.
  • Establish an active relationship with the local employment resources.
  • Provide individual case management to support youth’s transition to work.
  • Facilitate referrals to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for youth with disabilities that have a goal of gaining employment.​
 

 ​III. Job Skills Training

 
​Offer two or more certificates or certifications beyond the introductory or basic level that are based on youth’s area(s) of interest and trends observed by the agency.
  • Offer at least one Program of Study (POS) track aligned with industry standards.
  • Have an agency administrator review and approve the POS lesson plans.
  • Have instructors sign-off and date POS competency lists demonstrating proficiency.
  • Have lists of completed industry competencies follow youth at time of discharge that reflect the progress youth has made.​
 

 How many PACTT-affiliated facilities are there currently?

 
​There are currently 68 PACTT affiliates. Click here for list of: PACTT Affiliates​
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