The Parent Success Initiative a collaboration of The Center for Community Alternatives & Greater Syracuse Works Marsha Weissman, Ph.D., Executive Director Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) - Pathways2Work Valerie Westphal Director of Workforce Development and RWA Programs The Doe Fund
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The Parent Success Initiative a collaboration of The Center for Community Alternatives & Greater Syracuse Works Marsha Weissman, Ph.D., Executive Director.
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The Parent Success Initiativea collaboration of
The Center for Community Alternatives & Greater Syracuse WorksMarsha Weissman, Ph.D., Executive Director
Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) - Pathways2Work
Valerie WestphalDirector of Workforce Development and RWA Programs
The Doe Fund
Presentation Overview
Organizational Overviews–The Doe Fund History and RWA Program Summary–Center for Community Alternatives Program Summary
US DOL Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD)–The Doe Fund’s ETJD Program Overview–Center for Community Alternatives’ ETJD Program Overview
Benefits of Transitional Employment as Workforce Development Strategy
• Immediate Income• Improved employability and work reference• Skills development (soft and hard skills)• Individuals confidence improves; think of
themselves as workers• Supportive services available• Income serves as incentive to participate in other
services/training and to stay engaged• TJ Best Practices
3
Transitional Jobs: Evidence to Date
• Initial impact on employment• Employment impact dissipates over time• Some programs had an impact on recidivism
Source:
US DOL ETJD Program
• US DOL developed Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) in partnership with US Dept of HHS and DOJ
• 7 grants awarded nationally: New York State was the only state to receive two awards – DOE Fund– Center for Community Alternatives (CCA)
• Target Populations– Individuals with Conviction Histories released from prison
within 120 days: DOE FUND PROGRAM– Non-custodial Parents: CCA PROGRAM
• Service Enhancements• Random Assignment Evaluation
US DOL ETJD Program Deliverables
• Intake Goals– 1OOO recruited at each site over two years– 500 become “treatment group”– 500 become “control group”
• Outcomes to be Measured– 60% of enrollees gain unsubsidized employment – 75% of those will retain employment– $9.00 average wage– 22% -- decrease in recidivism rate– Consistent payment of child support
About The Doe Fund• Multi-disciplinary human services and workforce
development agency
• Approx. $50 million annual operating budget
• Working to break interrelated cycles of homelessness, criminal recidivism, unemployment, and addiction
Founded by George McDonald during peak of homelessness crisis in New York City:– Fed homeless in Grand Central for 700 consecutive nights– They repeatedly asked for “a room and a job to pay for it”– “Mama” Doe dies on Christmas Day, 1985 – Doe Fund
created in her name– RWA program developed to fulfill self-identified needs of
homeless individuals
About The Doe Fund (cont’d.)
Ready, Willing & Able: Early Years• 1990: participants recruited from Grand Central,
other shelters• Paid transitional work: originally, renovations of city-
owned apartments • 1995: new Mayor Giuliani slashes housing budgets,
resulting in >60% cut to Doe Fund contracts• “Men in Blue” arrive on East 86th Street• First venture in social entrepreneurship (a needed
service + jobs for participants + funds for program)
The Men in Blue
• Cleans over 150 miles of NYC streets• Added three more social entrepreneurial businesses• Training incentive: $7.40/hr (to $8.15 after 6 mos.)• Weekly automatic deductions: $105 for program
contribution; $54 for savings• $1,000 graduate incentive
– Given over 5 months, in installments of $200 – Requires proof of employment, housing & sobriety– Promotes employment retention
Ready, Willing & Able: Today
1. Paid Transitional Work and Training– “In-House” Assignment (X hours/week, 1 month)• Custodial, kitchen, light maintenance• Serves as evaluation period
– “Field” Assignment (35 hours/week, 8–10 months)• Begin with Street Cleaning, Security or Kitchen• Advanced Occupational Trainings (includes Resource
Recovery, Pest at Rest, Back Office ventures)
Ready, Willing & Able Services: Foundation for ETJD
2. Substance Abuse Services– Random Drug Testing (2x/week)– Relapse Prevention Services (as needed)
3. Individual Case Management (1x/week)
4. Career Development– Career Development 101 (Month 4; 1x/week for 6 weeks)– Career Development 102 (Month 7; 1x/week for 5 weeks)
5. Life Skills and Education– Financial Management– Adult Education (on-site classes available)
Ready, Willing & Able: Services
Classroom Based Occupational TrainingIncreases training, qualifications and certifications
• Energy Efficient Building Maintenance• Computer Skills Training – Computer Lab Assistant• Driver’s Education• NYS Food Handler’s Certification and ServSafe• Pest Control Training (Pest at Rest)• Commercial Driver’s License (Resource Recovery)
Pathways2Work (P2W)
• 6-month transitional work program
• Job retention and career advancement support
• Cohort-based
• Staged employment model- 2 months with The Doe Fund- 2 months paid internship with partners
Communication/Relationships Job Skill Training – Certificates, degree
programs Family Mediation Financial Literacy Referrals – MH, DV, D & A counseling
Case Management Services Multiple subcontracts with organizations
located in the communities they serve
Case Management Services Multiple subcontracts with organizations
located in the communities they serve
Key Referral Sources: Family
Court, Child Support, Criminal
Justice
Work Readiness TrainingFocus on work behavior,
attendance, peer & supervisor relationships
Work Readiness TrainingFocus on work behavior,
attendance, peer & supervisor relationships
Job Development Job development Employer events, tours,
presentations Practice Interviews Coordination with case
managers
Job Development Job development Employer events, tours,
presentations Practice Interviews Coordination with case
managers
Participant Supports
Work/interview clothing Transportation – bus passes
Participant Supports
Work/interview clothing Transportation – bus passes
Planning Advisory Committee Employer &
Participant Advisory Councils
Lead Agency: CCAIntake & Random Assignment
Lead Agency: CCAIntake & Random Assignment
Case Management
• Holistic services with an employment focus• Help prepare participants for transitional and
unsubsidized jobs• Connect participants to service enhancements• Assist in job development and job placement
Work Readiness Training“LEADERS”
• Developed by CCA and GSW• Based in part on Offender Workforce Development
(National Institute of Corrections)• Topics – Written and verbal communication– Work habits– Interpersonal relationships/Conflict management– Teamwork – Career planning– Work crew procedures and processes
Transitional Jobs
• Work crew experience• Close supervision• Weekly pay• Daily feedback• Worksites: Syracuse Housing Authority;
exploration of private business partner
Service Enhancements
• Legal assistance with child support issues• Civic Restoration to address criminal history issues• Literacy – Basic Ed, Pre-GED, GED• Industry-Recognized Credentials – NWRC• Job Skills Training – Certifications• Life Skills Training – Parenting, Financial Literacy• Participant Supports – clothing, tools, transportation• Referrals – Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Substance
Abuse and Recovery Supports
Valerie WestphalDirector of Workforce Development and RWA Programs
The Doe Fundwww.doe.org
Marsha Weissman, PhDExecutive Director
Center for Community Alternativeswww.comunityalternatives.org