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