Job Search Strategies and

Curriculum for EngagingTemporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Applicants

2

Objectives• To discuss how to engage a large applicant

population in activities that prepare them for a work, not welfare

• To discuss how to help customers who are applying for cash find job quickly or help move them into the “mandatory” engagement component of the TCA program effectively

• To discuss how to facilitate sessions using curriculum created locally to encourage customer’s participation and learning the tools needed for success

3

Flow Process

Customers receive notification from DCF to

“work Register”

Customers contact ZuCan program, walk

in to the Zucan Office, email wt@wcfla.com,

or go to the Zucan website

Customers watch a series of webinars that give

information about the ZuCan program, as well as their next steps based on

their individual needs.

Customers register for a session. If they are working or in school, we do not want to disrupt their success: they simply fax

in documents to get started.

If the customer is not working or going to school, the

customer begins the Job Club program.

4

Initial Engagement: Introduction Process

Applicant applies with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to get

the cash stipend on the online application.

Individual comes to the center/office and states that they were told to come

to the center to “work register”.

Individual comes to the office and states they have not applied for

benefits but need to

Individuals come to the program in

various manners Applicant is informed that (s)he may apply

for benefits using computers at the store front ACCESS centers. They may also

use the mini-resource rooms or Resource Room at the ZuCan office when available.

The applicant is directed to send an

email to wt@wcfla.com

Or is provided a cheat sheet of the steps

associated with the Introduction process.

The applicant is required to watch the Introduction to

the ZuCan Program webinar.

The applicant is required to print

the ZuCan Assessment Form.

The applicant is required to fill it

out.

The applicant is then required to watch the Childcare webinar if

(s)he has a child under the age of twelve and print the Childcare

Form.

The applicant is required to watch the Professional

Standards webinar and print the Professional Standards

Acknowledgement Form.

The applicant must watch the

appropriate webinar for their

respective condition.

If the customer is working, the customer will watch the Next Steps for Employed

Applicants webinar.

If the customer is going to school (not working), the customer will watch the Next

Steps for Current Students Applying for ZuCan webinar.

If the customer is not able to work or go to school due to a medical issue or because

they are caring for a disabled family member, the customer will watch the Next

Steps for Individuals with Medical Limitations webinar.

If the customer is not working, not going to school but needs childcare to participate,

the customer will sign up for Next Steps for Job Club program.

Applicant is required to turn in a Job Offer (letter), Verification of Employment (and latest pay stub if job has started). If the customer is working at least 32 hours per week, the customer can print the first pages of the Up-Front Diversion paperwork, as well as proof of any financial obligations that are emergencies. If the customer is stating they need help paying bills, they need to provide an explanation as to how paying those bills will prevent getting the cash stipend. Have them indicate the childcare facility that they want to

use. This is faxed directly to: (407) 210-7728

Applicant is required to turn in their registration information, school schedule and Signature Verification Tool. Put on the cover sheet a check box stating they need childcare and have all of their paperwork

ready to get care. Have them indicate the childcare facility that they want to use. This is faxed directly to: (407) 210-7737

The applicant is required to turn in a note from a doctor stating they cannot work or go to school at least part-time. The customer may print the Medical Verification Form to have their doctor fill out. If the customer is caring for a disabled family member that lives in the home, the customer may have the

Statement of Need for Care filled out. This is faxed directly to: (407) 210-7752

If the customer needs childcare, they must sign up for a Childcare Session. The customer will be given the link to the Childcare checklist, and it will include instructions to sign up for the Childcare Session in Time Center. If the customer does not have a child under the age of 12 or does not need childcare, the

customer may go directly to sign up for Job Club: Getting Started. The customer will be provided instructions on this via embedded link as well.

Initial Engagement: Introduction Process

If the customer cannot read or write English, the customer will watch the Next

Steps for Individuals with English Speakers of Other Languages webinar.

The applicant is required to sign up for the ESOL Session. The customer is assessed and provided information about options associated with ESOL, as well as refugee services if they are a refugee living in

Orange or Osceola Counties.

5

Join ZuCan Program Customers will go to ZuCan website www.zucan.org/join-zucan/• Select an appropriate program

– Mandatory (cash)– Volunteer (food stamps)

• Watch webinars – Introduction– Childcare– Professional Standards

• Print documents• Register for a session, if applicable

– Childcare Session– Job Club Session (Getting Started)

• Fax documents or bring the documents to the session

6

Join ZuCan Program

7

8

Register for Class Session

• Customers must go to a website to register for their first session at www.timecenter.com/zucan– We also use this appointment site for other

appointments• Customers register and confirm a

date/time for their first session• The applicant finishes registering for the

session

9

Next Steps• Job Club Sessions are listed by

county as well– Click on the appropriate link and

register for the session

10

Next Steps• Customers must click on the link next to

the date and time they would like to attend. – For example, if the customer wants to attend

the first class, Getting Started, on September 12 at 9:30, (s)he must click on the blue words next to this date/time

11

Next Steps• Customers must register to attend

the appropriate class (Childcare Session or Job Club Session)– Click to register– Enter all required information– Enter you email address

12

Next Steps• Customer must bring to the Childcare

Session or the Job Club Session– Completed ZuCan Assessment Form– Singed Professional Standards

Acknowledgement Form• If the customer does not bring in these

forms, the customer is removed from class – Asked to review the webinars– Told about times that the labs are open in case they

need help– Required to reschedule for a session on another

date

13

Job Club• Job Club is a program designed

– To engage a large number of customers in classroom activities combined with online activities

– To teach participants how to look for work

– To offer tools necessary to be successful in finding employment

14

Introduction to Zucan Job Club

• Job Club – Is a five-week program – Offers customers job search resources

and tools– Combines in-class sessions with

Internet-based activities and webinars– Requires customers to complete a set

number of hours each week in a calendar of activities and homework assignments

15

Facilitator’s Goals• Engage the customers in

activities from the onset – It is important that customers

are held accountable in Job Club

– Customers are rewarded for moving forward

– Customers who are not moving forward are not provided transportation or other services

16

Facilitator’s Goals• Be prepared

– All facilitators gather information about attendees

• Collect and review documents unless turned in at a Childcare Session– ZuCan Assessment – Professional Standards

Acknowledgement Form

17

Getting Started• Review information about the ZuCan

program again– Discuss the program’s professional standards– Discuss program requirements

• Introduce calendars– Review the webinar assignments– Review homework

• Assigned to Career Engagement Specialist (CES)

18

Sample Job Club Calendar

Participant’s Name: ______________________________ Date: ________/_________/________

You attended the Job Club-Getting Started class today, your next class is titled Getting Organized. This class will be held on (date): ____/____/_______ at ________AM/PM. The session will be held at _______________________________ in __________, Florida.

Before you attend your next class you must complete the required activities. These activities are listed below. If you complete the assignment in our office, you can have a staff member sign you in and out. If you complete the assignment in another location where a staff member is willing, they can sign you in and out.

TEACHER COMPLETESThe teacher will check off each item and enter hours of participation with a signature.

Watch the webinar titled Using EFM in Job Club, which is posted on www.zucan.org/join-zucan/ . There are assignments built into our webinars. You must watch the entire webinar and follow the directions given and complete the assignments. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________Do not forget your assignment when you come to class!

Was this assignment completed:YesNo Hours of participation: _______Teacher’s initials: ___________

Watch the webinar titled Using People First in Job Club, which is posted on www.zucan.org/join-zucan/ . There are assignments built into our webinars. You must watch the entire webinar and follow the directions given and complete the assignments. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________Do not forget your assignment when you come to class!

Was this assignment completed:YesNo Hours of participation: _______Teacher’s initials: ___________

Go to one of our computer labs and click on the CHOICES icon. Print your results and bring them to class. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________Do not forget your assignment when you come to class!

Was this assignment completed:YesNo Hours of participation: _______Teacher’s initials: ___________

19

Getting Organized • Facilitators teach

– Customers how to organize their job search so that they can use their time wisely

– Tips of the trade

– How to fill out a Job Search Time Sheet

– How to fill out the Job Search Report Form

20

Getting Organized The customer is reminded of the date and time they attended Getting Organized and their next session.

The first activity is to watch a Goal Setting webinar created by staff. The session offers the customer a workbook to use and plan. The customer can set goals and write out steps to reach those goals. Later, this is used when the customer meets with his/her CES.

21

Getting Organized In the next class, staff teach the customer how to fill out a job application. We are preparing the customer to demonstrate these skills by having the customer review a webinar related to filling out an application in advance. The customer then prints an application and brings it to class for review. This application is updated to use as an example or “pocket application” while job searching.

22

Getting Connected• The staff review the homework and

then review– How to complete an application– How to answer questions

• What to say• What not to say

• Classwork builds employability skills– Classroom assignments require

teamwork– Activities required customers to think

from an employer’s perspective

23

Getting Heard• Once again, facilitators must connect the

classroom materials with the homework assignments– The homework required the customer to watch

webinars on the interview process– Customers had to download a list of common

questions and write out answers– The facilitators collect the homework, and then the

attendees have to conduct practice interviews – Facilitators bridge the learning process again using

hands on learning, as well as fun exercises– Facilitators use this opportunity to teach

techniques for successful interviews

24

Resume Lab• Prior to the session

– Students worked on resume worksheets, as well as watched webinars on creating a competitive resume

• During class– Customers create or update their

resume, as well as work on creating a resume in Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM)

– Staff help customers one-on-one in the computer lab

25

Other Internal Programs• The ZuCan program has other internal

curriculum designed by managers and staff• ZuCan Works

– A four-day program that focuses on the development of employability skills prior to connecting a customer to a worksite

– Customer are led in a curriculum that includes topics, such as

• Communication in the Workplace • Stress Management• Budgeting• Ethics

26

ZuCan Works• Connected with a worksite to gain

employability skills• Customers who do well at their

worksite are connected with the Re-Connection Program (REC) – Paid work experience, coded as

subsidized employment– Connects the customers to employers to

build employability skills, work experience on the customer’s resume and a network for unsubsidized employment

27

Conclusion• And it all started with the

Introduction to the ZuCan Program process– Customers learn about the program

through webinars– Customers who are working, going to

school or cannot work due to medical limitations are connected with a CES immediately and fax in documents

– Customers who can work but are not working or going to school are connected with Job Club

28

Questions

29

Thank You!

With ZuCan You Can!