employment services lakewood community services center

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Lakewood Community Services Center


Household Statistics August 2015Stated reason for need for emergency food: Inadequate public assistance 56 5.7% Recently unemployed/no income 26 2.7 Reduction/loss of food stamps 72 7.4 Low income, part-time employed 89 9.1 Low income, full-time employed 74 7.6 SSI/Retirement benefits too low 568 58.0 No income 39 4.0 Homebound 54 5.5

Total Households 978 100%

Households with employment income-related need 189 19.3%


Networks Job Resource Center at LCSCA partnership with Towards Employment, Inc. launched in June 2014

What we learned in Pilot Year This is only non-mandated Towards Employment program;

motivation very different Low client self-esteem after years of unemployment; job level

expectations unrealistic Lack of basic computer skills significantly impacts online job search Need for a two-tier approach to job skills training/job search Retention support critical to client success TE specialist must have direct job placement experience


Networks Job Resource Center at LCSC

What we are doing to address issues: LCSC social workers ensuring clients are motivated to seek/secure

employment prior to program referral New TE training specialist has improved outcomes: 24 placements YTD

July; hourly rate of $9.04 up from $8.53 in 2014 LCSC developed barriers screen/referral form to better inform TE

specialist LCSC social workers address self-esteem issues ongoing as needed Secured volunteers for basic computer skills training on open Mondays TE management developed a two-tier curriculum LCSC lead social worker has assumed role of retention coach

- Strong existing client relationships- Sees clients on regular basis- Well-positioned to offer referrals to support services


Networks Job Resource Center at LCSC - Tier I

Tier I Curriculum

Outline

1st Tuesday 1st Wednesday 1st Thursday

Activity: Ready: What it takes to find a job

Overview of the process Creating a resume Understanding what is

interview appropriate Writing cover and thank

you letters

Set: Getting prepared for the job search Part I Communication Presentation Identifying the right jobs

Set: Getting prepared for the job search Part II How to complete

applications Interviewing

Tier I Curriculum

Outline

2nd Tuesday 2nd Wednesday 2nd Thursday

Activity: Go: Mock interviews Finalize resume Create the job search plan

Certificates and beginning the job search Job search (continued)


Networks Job Resource Center at LCSC - Tier II

Designed for the less committed drop in participants Participation in open job club, have access to the computer lab, go

through the assessment process and receive one-on-one assistance from the TE training specialist

Can take advantage of open computer skills classes Open hours Tuesday through Thursdays from 12:30pm – 2:30pm. Tier II participants will be encouraged to move up into Tier I


Networks Job Resource Center at LCSC – Year 2

Objectives Successfully implement two-tiered approach Serve a total of 120 clients (76 in Tier I and 44 in Tier II) during the

period January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016. Tier I Tier II- 76 participate - 44 participate- 61 complete program - 10 secure employment- 32 secure employment

Achieve a 90 day retention rate of 70% (29 individuals) Continue to link Networks participants with support services Continue to secure private foundation funding

employment services lakewood community services center

Documents