ACJ Announces ServSafe, Restaurant Ready Training Collaboration

Published on April 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Jail Administrator of Re-Entry Services Amy Kroll announced today that the jail has partnered with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKP), the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (PRLAEF) and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) to provide ServSafe and Restaurant Ready training certifications to participants in the jail’s Re-Entry Program.

Incarcerated enrollees join an educational cohort that lasts six weeks and earn their ServSafe food handler and Restaurant Ready certifications that are designed to lead to job opportunities in the food and hospitality industries following release. Both men and women are eligible for classes that are held twice weekly in the jail’s educational and re-entry areas. The jail’s first cohorts graduated in March as 11 men and 11 women obtained their two industry-recognized certifications.

“This is very exciting that Allegheny County Jail has a vocational training program that is a clear pathway to a job on the outside for returning citizens,” Kroll said. “These certifications will put ACJ clients at the top of the list for employers because they will learn the necessary skills in addition to receiving classroom instruction.”

Participants earn their food handler certification through ServSafe and gain in-demand industry skills through Restaurant Ready as part of the process. CKP staff members teach the classes, and graduates of the program can then transition directly to CKP for additional, advanced training or move directly into industry employment following release from the jail.

“Engaging people in pre-release is meaningful, because it forms relationships, gives them assistance with future planning and thinking, and engages them in a career pathway,” said Jen Flanagan, executive director and founder of CKP. “It is the right approach to get people engaged with the team before they get released, and they have a place to land when they can leave and come directly to our program.”

The ServSafe and Restaurant Ready programs are administered by the NRAEF. Community-based organizations like CKP partner with the NRAEF and their state restaurant affiliations – the PRLAEF in this case – to provide the training and certification.

“PRLAEF is proud to support this partnership with the Allegheny County Jail and Community Kitchen Pittsburgh to connect returning citizens with real opportunities in our industry,” said Joe Massaro, PRLA president and CEO. “By engaging restaurant employers and aligning training with workforce needs, we’re helping translate second chances into sustainable careers. This work not only changes individual lives — it strengthens the talent pipeline our hospitality industry depends on.”

Financial support for the program comes through the NRAEF’s Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re) Entering Society (HOPES) program, which is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

“The NRAEF is pleased to partner with community organizations and industry leaders to provide training, credentialing, and job placement opportunities for justice-impacted individuals in Allegheny County,” said Patricia D. Gill, NRAEF Director of Workforce Development. “The HOPES program reflects NRAEF’s commitment to empowering people from all backgrounds to discover meaningful career opportunities and build their futures through the wide array of professions and pathways in the restaurant and hospitality industry.”

Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).