creating vocational and employment opportunities for continuum of care (coc) participants metro...

Creating Vocational and Employment Opportunities for Continuum of Care (CoC) Participants

Metro Denver Homeless Initiative

Creating Vocational and Employment Opportunities for

CoC Participants

Presented by the MDHI Employment Subcommittee

Friday, April 24, 2015


Ed BlairChief Operating Officer

Mile High United Way

Opening Comments


Why This Information is Important to You?

• Employment outcomes are key performance measures for each project and the Continuum of Care (CoC)• HUD requires that 20% of clients exiting Permanent

Supportive Housing have income from employment

• Grantees encouraged to incorporate access to vocational and employment services

• Grantees can partner with existing employment models• Project staff can teach participants valuable skills which

can lead to vocational activity and jobs


Importance of Vocational and Employment Activities for CoC

Participants • Vocational activities

• are usually part of a complete recovery plan • include productive activity (education, volunteering, etc.)

• Having employment and income are a key part of personal independence

• Employment services • support participants to obtain mainstream resources

(permanent housing, public health, etc)• can lead to increased empowerment, personal motivation,

community involvement and economic independence for participants


What does it mean to vocationalize your

project?

Please turn to your neighbor and discuss for 2 minutes

Role of Grantee Staff in Vocational Development

• Programs that are not “vocational programs” can build skills around the idea of “purposeful activity.”

• Goal assessments engage clients in a process that they will be committed to seeing

through. • Clients can benefit from consistent activity that keeps them engaged and motivated.

We have seen clients do this through volunteering, church activities, or community service

• Help clients develop skills around cooperation, punctuality, communication and

consistency (punctuality for case management meetings, meal duties and daily chores)

• Skills translate to volunteering or other activities and eventually on to employment • Many times we see clients that do not have regular purposeful activities decompensate

or resort to old negative habits because they have nothing encouraging to look forward to


Role of Grantee Staff in Vocational

DevelopmentStaff Responsibilities:

• Understand the importance of vocational and employment activities as part of overall services plan

• Work with individuals to actualize personal goals• Learn about and participate in available employment

services and activities in community• Create a “vocationalized service environment” in

which all services and activities are skill learning opportunities


“Vocationalizing” your Service Environment

“Vocationalizing” your service environment consists of:

• Making physical adaptations to your services site – visual cues encouraging vocational activity

• Creating a vocational culture that emphasizes involvement in productive activity and skill-building

• Facilitating an attitudinal shift amongst staff

• Gaining the support of upper management to create this type of learning environment


Vocational Assessment Tips and Suggestions

• Vocational assessment looks at many assets

• Vocational assessment can be done during initial intake for part of an overall recovery plan

• Vocational assessments can be motivational

• Vocational assessments are longitudinal

• Vocational assessments can be done intermittently


Assessment - Discussion

• How/when do you currently introduce the idea of vocational activities and goals?

• What kind of vocational assessment do you currently use?

• What kind of vocational assessment would you like to use?

• What behaviors and attitudes do you see that hold participants back from pursuing and achieving vocational/employment goals?

• What vocational assessment information is relevant while providing overall clinical and case management services?


How Different Employment Service Models Can Support

Your CoC Project• Pre-employment and vocational services can be offered

in any service environment• Each model has unique characteristics • Partnerships with community employment and vocational

service providers enhance your overall service network• Services can be provided at your CoC site• Services are part of a full integrated model• Having these services available leads to skill building in

other service areas


Types of Employment ModelsRapid Job Placement

Denver Urban Ministries (DENum), Catholic Charities/Samaritan House, Bayaud Enterprises/Back to Work

Social Enterprises with Rehab Support Bridge House/Ready to Work and Community Table Kitchen,

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless/Stout Street Works

Long-Term Assessment, Job Matching Retention and Career Planning

Bayaud/Denver’s Road to Work (DRW), Colorado Coalition for the Homeless/Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, Urban Peak


Types of Employment Models (cont)

Supportive Housing with On-Site Services Volunteers of America/Irving Street Residence (Safe Haven); Bayaud/Del

Norte – Housing and Work Connection (HAWC); Bridge House Transitional Housing for Ready to Work

Classroom Training/Placement Catholic Charities/Samaritan House (program buys forklift training),

Urban Peak/Serve Safe and National Retail Training, CCH/HVRP- Flagger Training

Workforce System/CBO PartnershipDenver Division of Workforce Development/Goodwill Enterprises, Urban

Peak/Summer Youth Program


Core Elements of Employment Models

Each model has some of these elements:

• “Wrap-around” services offered to each participant

• Serves various sub-populations of homeless people

• Focuses on cultivating employer relationships

• Emphasizes finding a good job match

• Offers supportive services to assist with job search and retention

• Partners with community-based resources


Useful Questions when Helping a Client to Choose

an Employment Service Currently, what’s the client’s main vocational priority?

(e.g., income, a meaningful activity or longer-term vocational pursuit)

What are the eligibility criteria for employment services?

What are other services available to the client through a vocational/employment program? (e.g., all employment services, supportive services, “wrap around services”)

What is the duration of the services available to participant?

How much job retention support is available?

Does the employment program do an in-depth evaluation to help the client develop realistic vocational goals?

What is the referral process for a specific program or model?


Employment Model - Rapid Placement

• Priority is to assist a participant find paid employment as quickly as possible

• Emphasis is on getting an income, more than finding a good job match

• Often used at service sites where employment is required of all participants within a short amount of time


Bayaud Enterprises – Back to Work

• Rapid placement program for homeless individuals • Federal Definition used to define homelessness • Applicants schedule appointment, walk-in, or are referred • Assists participant to obtain job/income quickly• Intake includes benefits screening to determine participant’s needs• Eligibility criteria is to meet homeless definition - people with

offender histories and significant work barriers are welcome • Pre- and post-employment services available, including

transportation assistance and Computer Resource Center• Length of employment services and follow up services are

determined by the participant – staff and groups are available to all participants


Denver Urban Ministries

4 Core Elements of Rapid Job Placement: 1. One-on-one case management and support2. Current “now hiring” jobs list (available jobs pre-screened by DenUM staff)3. Job Readiness Training (JRT) on-site at DenUM4. Career Workshops and follow-up calls.

Eligibility: Everyone is eligible for employment services as long as they are sober while in the building

Services Offered Include: Case Management/Support 5 days a week, computer lab, copy/fax/print, resume workshop, basic computer class, and more

Length of Employment Services: Case managers can assist with job leads; most clients obtain work within 2-weeks. Once enrolled you can visit anytime within 2-years

Follow-up Services: Case Managers call clients for 30-day, 90-day, 6-month and 1-year follow ups


Catholic Charities – Samaritan

House• 120 day, bifurcated programo During first 30 days, residents must take life skills classes and obtain full time

employment or have verifiable benefitso In the next 90 days, the residents must save 80% of their income to be used

towards sustainable, adequate housing• Resident demographics include single males/females, families with children, people

obtaining respite services and veterans in the VAGPD program • Services include use of 5 internet connected computers, various employment classes,

help with resume development, bus tickets, 1:1 mentorship/coaching/goal setting and interview rehearsal

• Residents receive referrals to outside nonprofit and government agencies, including schools, workforce centers, etc.

• The Employment Coordinator hosts in-house job events, information sessions and skills

training (ex. forklift training and flagger training) and the Retention Specialist offers supportive services for up to one year after transitioning out of Samaritan House


Employment Model – Social Enterprise with Rehab Support

• Model is focused on working in an enterprise and receiving job coaching and other support during work experience

• The model offers real work experience at actual job sites so that participants learn good work attitudes and practices as well as specific skills needed for the job

• The model gives participants a chance to learn and grow while also earning an income

ABOUT US:Social Enterprise serving the City Of Boulder performing supplemental sanitation, basic landscaping, trail maintenance, and culinary training; include commissary cooking, catering and entry level baking.

TARGET POPULATION:Ready To Work aims to create a culture of opportunity for Boulder County’s homeless and working poor.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:Actively using Bridge House servicesNo Sexual Offense

INTAKE TO COMPLETION

SERVICES OFFERED: Transitional Employment up to 29 hours a weekCase ManagementEmployment ClassesLife Skills GroupsAftercare / Job Retention

•Recruitment is done in collaboration with local shelters/homeless programs, as well as walk-ins•Clients are volunteers before becoming crew members•Services include Job Readiness Classes, OJT through supervisors, Case Management, Work Uniform, Interview Clothing (donated), and Bus Passes•Program accepts anyone, but triages those who are not eligible for other services•Clients do a 2-4 week internship while in the program•Job placement to permanent employment is also available

SOCIAL ENTERPRISETRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT


Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Vocational Services

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) Vocational Services offers three (3) workforce programs: Walk-in employment support, Stout Street Works, and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)

Walk-in Employment Support serves CCH clients only

Program accepts anyone who is referred by a CCH case manager

Program serves participants with significant job barriers as well as former offender backgrounds

Walk-in referrals may receive assistance with resume development, mock interviews, work readiness assessments, job retention support, career advisement, and referrals to outside nonprofits and government agencies/workforce centers


Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Stout Street Works

Stout Street Works serves single women and men who have CCH case management support or who are enrolled the CCH’s HVRP program

Recruitment is done in collaboration with CCH case managers Program serves participants with significant job barriers as well as offender

backgrounds Participants can be discharged from the program for failure to meet program

requirements, and non-compliance at work assignments

On-call job assignments range from: building maintenance, janitorial, administrative support, general labor and rental movers

Job placement to permanent employment is also available for those who qualify


Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Program: HVRP

To schedule an intake, qualified Veteran should call (303) 312-9835

CCH’s HVRP helps veterans who have served in all branches of the United States military. To qualify for the program: The individual must be discharged or released from the US military under conditions

other than dishonorable, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (and NOT on a lease) and seeking meaningful long-term employment

Participants are assigned an HVRP Case Manager who works in collaboration with CCH’s Vocational Specialists and Job Developer.

Services Provided: Employment counseling, job search assistance, and vocational training

Job search resources such as computer, printer, fax, and phone

Medical and mental health care support, and substance abuse service referrals

Housing support referrals to Veteran Administration (VA) and to other non-profits


Denver’s Road to Work (DRW)- Bayaud Enterprises and Mental

Health Center of Denver (MHCD)• Long-term assessment/job retention/career planning model• Strong relationships with diverse employers in the community • Target population—those with income below 125% of poverty • Participants recruited from sites that serve very low-income individuals

with multiple job barriers• Eligible candidates meet the income guidelines and are interested in

being part of a longer–term program• Initial intake and screening by a Benefits Navigator, a program intake,

assessment, and creation of an employment plan• All pre- and post- employment services are offered to all participants,

including follow-up for a year• Key element of the program is having multiple contacts with employers• Length of employment services are determined by the participant


Employment Model -Supportive Housing with On-Site Vocational

Services• Supportive housing with vocational and employment

services available at housing site

• Participation in vocational and employment services is strongly encouraged for all residents

• The environment is structured so that vocational and employment services are an integral part of the services model


Housing and Work Connection (HAWC)

• Supportive housing site with on-site employment services• Eligibility criteria—individual has completed VISPDAT assessment

and referred through CAHPS • Intakes done by staff once the participant has been accepted for

housing • Vocational and employment services offered as part of the

integrated services package at the HAWC• Staff have philosophy that all services should build skills • Someone can continue services at Bayaud if they leave the HAWC • Residents can live at HAWC as long as they follow house rules• Job retention and career-planning services are offered continuously

while someone is a resident at HAWC


Vocationalizing Housing for Veterans

Core elements – Education, collaboration and coordination of vocational, employment and enhancement tools and services for veterans, VA staff and the greater community

• Connect veterans to most appropriate services, collaborate with VA and non-VA homeless programs and community partners; and educate and engage these entities to seek and obtain the most suitable employment model according to the veteran’s need and/or choice

• Designed for service to at-risk and/or homeless veterans, who qualify for VA Homeless Programs

• An initial screening is conducted, used to determine and prioritize the most effective resources to increase successful employment outcomes, and that encourage work readiness, sustainability or growth

• The project is time unlimited guide to engage the veteran toward progressive and purposeful activity

URBAN PEAK YOUTH HOUSING

Community Housing/Scattered Site Housing:

• Stout Street Lofts• Road Home (RHHP)• Tenant Based Voucher (TBV)• Family Unification Voucher (FUP)• Youth Transitions Program (YTP)• Transitional Living Program (TLP)

Rowan Gardens:• Youth with disabilities• Ages 17 - 24• 16 apartments• Length of stay = usually

1-2 years

Starting Transitions and Recovery (STAR):• Youth with co-occurring

disorders• Ages 18 - 24• 16 apartments• Length of program = 9

months to 18 months

Rocky Mountain Youth Housing (RMYHP):• Homeless or nearly

homeless youth• Ages 16 - 21• 36 studio apartments• Length of stay = 18

months to 2 years

Community Housing/Scattered Site Housing: • Homeless or nearly

homeless youth• Ages 18 and older• Length of program =

transitional or permanent housing options

URBAN PEAK YOUTH HOUSING

Job Referrals & Open Job Search Hours

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT

OPEN CLASSROOM

CONCEPT

Technical (hard) Skills:Resume, Cover Letter, References, Computer

Skills, Professional Portfolio

Interpersonal (soft) Skills: Communication,

Goal Setting,Conflict Resolution,

Job Retention, Interviewing Skills

Assessments:Career Exploration,

Career Cluster Survey, and Strengths Finder

GED/HighSchool

Diploma (CYC) & Post-

secondary study help

Job Readiness Training,

WIA/WIOA, & SYEP

Trainings: Customer Service

& ServSafe

Job Development & Retention: Community

Networking & Relationship-Building

ServSafe Food Handler Certification

The two-day training will offer participants: A free ServSafe Food Handler Certification A hands-on opportunity to practice ServSafe principles while preparing

breakfast at the Spot An updated resume with ServSafe listed on it

Who can attend? Current students or graduates of Job Readiness Training (JRT) Individuals engaged in Urban Peak services who are working in food

service or want to work in food service Why attend?

With ServSafe knowledge, employers recognize that you understand proper food safety regulations

Earning the Certification has helped former participants get promoted


Do you want to start or further your career as a Customer Service Professional?

Earning a nationally recognized Customer Service and Sales Certification shows employers you have the customer service skills they want employees to have.

Enhance your skills & knowledge in the following areas: Aspects of the Retail IndustryAssessing Customers’ NeedsProfessional Phone, E-mail, and Face-to-face CommunicationEducating CustomersSales Procedures and TechniquesHow to “sell” your certification to employersAnd much more!

National Retail Federation Foundation’s Customer Service

Training:


Goodwill Industries of DenverGoodwill Industries, Denver• Serves more than 4,100 adults annually

• Provides employment support and services to assist participants in moving beyond a job to developing a career path

ReHire Colorado• Week long “Genesis; Pre-employment, Work-readiness Training”

• Work with participants for placement into a subsidized transitional job or direct hire opportunities at one of our business partners

• On-going supportive services and participant retention incentives at 30 days, 90 days, and 6 months

• Candidates need to have a family income below 150% of the federal poverty level, be un- or under employed, be a Colorado resident, and fit into one of the following categories: over 50, Veteran, non-custodial parent, TANF recipient, or SNAP recipient


Career Connection Centers8 Goodwill Career Connection Centers throughout Metro-Denver and Northern Colorado.

Provide Assistance:• Resume assistance • Job search skills training • Computer skills training • Access to computers, internet, faxes, and other office equipment• Application assistance• Dress for success seminars • Mock interviews

Open to all adults over the age of 18.

All programs are FREE to participants. Participants need to bring proof of age to Orientation (offered 5 days a week) to register.


Non-profits Providing Employment Opportunities

The Peer Navigator Project helps individuals who are chronically homeless connect with support services and housing

MDHI currently partners with providers in Boulder and Denver counties:o Bridge Houseo Our Centero St. Francis Centero The Gathering Place/Catholic Charities Women’s Emergency Shelter o Urban Peako Volunteers of America

Peer Navigatorso Are formerly homeless individuals who have successfully overcome barriers and

transitioned into housingo Connect with clients who may not be comfortable engaging in serviceso Build capacity within their organizationo Integrate with the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement System (CAHPS)o Elevate the client voice


VOC Rehab

Denver Metro Division of Vocational Rehabilitation“Committed to helping our employer partners find candidates who are skilled, loyal, and committed to your success. Even after placement, employers and

employees get ongoing support from DVR's professional staff, including job training, guidance on the ADA regulations, and information on disability and employment guidelines. We can also help with financial incentives and facilitation of tax credits.”

2211 W Evans 80223| 303-866-2500

Employment First – Food Assistance (SNAP) recipients http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251581773899

Child Support Services – Promoting Responsible Fatherhood http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251579251222

http://www.coloradodads.com

Veterans Serviceshttp://www.colorado.gov

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251581773899

http://www.colorado.gov/


Workforce System

Workforce Services/Colorado Department of Labor & Employmenthttp://www.connectingcolorado.com

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDLE-Main/CDLE/1240336821467https://e-colorado.coworkforce.com

PEAK Applications – eligibility information/application for multiple programs

http://coloradopeak.force.com

Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-ChildYouthFam/CBON/1251583639415

Colorado Works – TANF Recipientshttp://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-ColoradoWorks/CCW/1194261855486

http://www.connectingcolorado.com/

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDLE-Main/CDLE/1240336821467

https://e-colorado.coworkforce.com/

http://coloradopeak.force.com/

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-ChildYouthFam/CBON/1251583639415

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-ColoradoWorks/CCW/1194261855486


Workforce System

Visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/wfcto seethe complete list of Workforce sites.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/wfc

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/wfc


Strategies to Vocationalize your Project to Increase Employment

SkillsStaff can incorporate the following to promote employment success

• Appointments = punctuation / attendance / follow-through• Living with others = teamwork skills• Staff and peer interactions = communication skills• Implementing a case plan = multi-tasking • Adapting to life changes = time management / prioritizing• Personal development = performance improvement• Goal setting = contributing team member

Employers seek individuals who are confident, flexible, have a positive self image, a sense of belonging and desire to contribute.


Questions and Answers, Discussion


Next Steps

Complete evaluation

If interested request CoC technical assistance via www.mdhi.org (to be

posted)

http://www.mdhi.org/


Thank you!

Rebecca Mayer, [email protected] Trujillo, [email protected]

*Keep up with the Employment Committee on MDHI.org/Employment

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://mdhi.org/employment/

creating vocational and employment opportunities for continuum of care (coc) participants metro...

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