Transcript Making Employment Work for People who are homeless and experience multiple barriers Serena M.

Making Employment Work for People
who are homeless and experience multiple barriers
Serena M. Powell, MS, CRC
Executive Director
History
 Boston’s West End in 1877
 Cooperative Society for Visitors Among
Boston’s Poor
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Women – gain skills to support themselves
Men - Habits of Temperance and Good
Hygiene
 Started serving homeless population in 1997
Participant Profile
 90% of those served have at least one
disability
 75% have two or more disabling conditions
 40% Homeless are at-risk of homelessness
 Gender: 61% Male and 39% Female
 Average Age – 43 years old
 50% Caucasian, 32% African American, 11%
Latino, 3% Asian
Core Services
 Core Services include
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Intensive Case Management
Vocational Assessment
Assistive Technology Assessment and
Training
Transitional Job Programs with Paid Wages
Classroom Based- Credentialed Programs
Job Placement
Post Placement and 12 months Follow Up
Transitional Job Programs
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Areas
 Food
Service and Catering
 Housekeeping and Facility
Maintenance
 Grounds maintenance (Streetscapes)
 Mailing and Production Center (longterm)
Transitional Jobs (cont)
 Structure
Up to 20 hours a week, Hands on
 Paid, minimum wage, DOL certificate or
 Piece rate based on performance
 Graduate to internships with employers
 NISH Placements (Ability One Program)
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Credentialed Training Programs
 Portable Credential, Higher Wages, Career Paths,
Dedicated Employers
 At Your Service – Hotel and Hospitality Training
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American Hotel and Lodging Association
$13.00 an hour, average wage at placement
before gratuities
200 different jobs in a hotel, varying schedules
10 Weeks, Classroom based, 330 hours
Hotel Advisory Council
Credentialed Programs (cont)
 E-Academy (web-based, 12-15 hours)
 Massachusetts Council of Human Service
Providers
 Child Welfare
 Working with people with DD
 Substance Abuse and MH Counseling
 Other areas
Additional Program Components
 Case Management assists individuals with addressing
obstacles in their lives, making referrals for needed
services (childcare, housing).
 Job Readiness teaches important aspects of “work
culture” and life management skills
 Job Placement to ensure good match, hours work,
travel considerations, tax credits
 Follow up Services for a minimum of 12 months post-
placement to ensure long term job retention and
success. Seminars on balancing life issues and work.
Maximizing Resources
 Goal: Not to foster unnecessary reliance on public
benefits and subsidies
 Goal: Access best array of supports and maximize
Income
 Goal: Minimize fear about transitioning to work
 Goal: Educate participants about their options and
what happens to subsidies as they go to work
Filling in the Gaps
 Case Management Activity - ENGAGE
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Intake and Exploration of Background
Current, past living situation
Past, present and future employment and
education
Finances, - Financial knowledge and ability to
manage own budget, credit history (loan
defaults)
Dependants/Relationships (Child Support)
Legal Issues – CORI, Outstanding Warrants
Need to know everything
Explore Options and Eligibility
 Cash assistance (SSI, SSDI, TANF, Child
Support), Food Stamps
 VR services (diagnosis)
 Legal services
 Free or reduced health care services (new
mandatory health care in MA)
 Subsidized housing (Section 8, Disability)
 Other Services - Mental health, substance
abuse, domestic violence, family therapy,
Assistance and Supports
 On-site Food Stamp Screenings
 VR and TANF Dept. Benefits Specialists
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Break it down into understandable language
(lots of
myths, reduce subsidies over time, ramp up other supports)
Report
CORI Experts (clear up things that may impede access to resources)
Private Foundation Support – Housing, other needs
Financial literacy – EITC
Employers – Tax Credits, Bonding Programs
Post Placement Plan – bonuses and incentives,
education opportunities
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More Information
 Research briefs at www.cwsbos.com
 Serena M. Powell, Executive Director,
[email protected]
 Eugene Gloss, Director of Workforce
Development, [email protected]