making employment work for people who are homeless and experience multiple barriers serena m....
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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
AreasFood Service and CateringHousekeeping and Facility
MaintenanceGrounds maintenance (Streetscapes)Mailing and Production Center (long-
term)
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, serenap@cwsbos.com
Eugene Gloss, Director of Workforce Development, eugeneg@cwsbos.com
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