“These (The RIDGE Project’s) evidence-based initiatives demonstrate that it is possible to re-orient one’s trajectory and achieve positive outcomes, regardless of the starting point or complex circumstances. These programs are specifically designed to address significant life challenges, with a mission focused on assisting vulnerable populations whose paths may not follow a traditional sequence.”

“The Ridge Project in Ohio is a good illustration of a program using both a system-wide and targeted approach. Their programs exemplify this by delivering targeted support to those most at risk, such as those who are involved in the justice system, while also implementing system-wide initiatives for middle and high school students. Over its 25-year history, The Ridge Project has received multiple awards and undergone more than a dozen independent evaluations.”

“Used by community groups across several states and specifically designed for the needs of current and former prisoners, the TYRO Leadership Program works to instill the attitudes and character qualities required for successful relationships with families, in the workplace, and in society.

Through cognitive restructuring, developing self-regulation, enhancing resiliency, and teaching positive role modeling, the program is designed to combat root challenges of incarceration. Class activities help individuals recognize and change the underlying assumptions, beliefs, attitudes, and thinking patterns that contributed to their decisions and behaviors that led to their incarceration. They learn to become aware of the harmful impact of their past behaviors on their children and families, while being encouraged to accept responsibility for their choices and instill new, more hopeful ways of thinking about their future.”

“Fathers’ parenting efficacy, coparenting relationship, and role identity explained why treatment group fathers reported increasing satisfaction with parenting their child and the frequency of father-child interactions—that is, TYRO Dads helped those fathers improve their parenting efficacy, perception of coparenting relationship with the child’s mother, and role identity, which in turn contributed to their parenting satisfaction and the frequency of father-child activities.”

“There was an increase in parenting efficacy, perception of coparenting relationship, and parenting satisfaction positively related to number of sessions fathers attended.”

TYRO Dads is a 20-hour course delivered in 10 two-hour sessions over a five-week period. Ron and Catherine Tijerina, co-founders and Co-Executive Directors of the RIDGE Project, created the curriculum based on their personal experience with Ron’s 15-year incarceration. The RIDGE Project has been implementing TYRO Dads since 2006. Before facilitating the TYRO Dads curriculum, all class facilitators are required to complete a 16-hour training to learn how to deliver workshops effectively to participants. Class facilitators use a detailed instructional manual to present the lessons and activities in each workshop. Participants complete a workbook with key points and questions to be answered for each workshop, space for notes, workshop exercises, and a list of homework assignments.