Making Employment Work for People who are homeless and experience multiple barriers Serena M.
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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
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
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
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)
Credentialed Training Programs
Portable Credential, Higher Wages, Career Paths,
Dedicated Employers
At Your Service – Hotel and Hospitality Training
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
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
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
More Information
Research briefs at www.cwsbos.com
Serena M. Powell, Executive Director,
[email protected]
Eugene Gloss, Director of Workforce
Development, [email protected]