JHS: Employment & Training Services

During this presentation and in the handouts provided, we will: §provide a brief overview of the justice system throughout§discuss supporting the client through the intake process and basic needs assessment

§address assisting the client in accessing Employment and Training Services

§coach you to develop a support system for both your client and your organization through community partnerships and outreach

§Questions are related to employment, education, health and justice involvement (compounding barriers)

§Goals of the intake:§ Assess goals and motivation§ Establish next steps§ Set priorities§ Provide referrals

§Basic needs assessment addresses stability issues§ Intake format is ‘conversation-based’§Make client aware of note-taking§Explain why information is asked

§Does the client have any conditions?§ Curfew§ Restrictions around computer/email use§ Location or association restrictions

§What kind of integration supports does the client have?§ Probation & Parole§ Addiction services§ “Halfway Housing”§ Request/encourage a Release of Information for other support services

§ Intake paperwork is considered a “living document”§ Any information can be added as it is disclosed

§Screening and intake does not have to be scheduled

§ES intake is offered on a walk-in basis§LAP screening can be over the phone or in-person with an intake scheduled ASAP

§Community partnerships are established internally and externally

§Service coordination between programs occurs throughout client’s participation in programming

üCreate an intake that is an organic conversation (not a checklist)§ Ask questions related to life circumstances§ Share with the client why such questions are included in the intake

üIntegrate a basic needs assessment into the intake framework to address any stability issues (i.e. source of income, housing status, health status, etc.)§ This can help the client to establish priorities and initial focus, and/or referral

opportunities if necessary

üRecognize that the client may not always disclose justice involvement§ Allow the client to disclose when they are ready/as rapport is built§ Treat your intake assessment as a “living document”

üEstablish a network of community partners (i.e. parole officers)§ Advocate and make inquiries/referrals with your client§ Have the client sign a release of information for information-sharing and

collaborative assistance for your now-shared client

üFormat your intake to accommodate client needs§ Flexible or no scheduling of screening and intake§ Schedule follow-up appointments as soon as possible

üEvaluate current practice for screening and intake§ Is it inclusive?

üRecognize that this is a client who has experienced trauma § The interventions/supports needed will look different depending on the trauma

experienced and the impact it has left

§Mid-sized and large companies VS smaller companies/temp agencies

§Background Checks vs Reference Checks§Name-Based Criminal Record Check CRC/CPIC§Criminal Record Check§Police Information Check§Vulnerable Sector Check

Guide clients to:

§ Focus on job referrals more than acquiring a job solely through their resume§ Connect with network, referrals from ES providers, attend job fairs

§ Do not lie on a job application, but delay questions on gap till interview

§ Address client’s individual limitations connected to their probation:§ Client’s may not be able to use email, ES provider may need to send out resume’s on clients behalf§ Client may mean they can search offense if it is a public offense (could use first initial and last name)

§ Including only years§ Utilizing # of years worked not specific dates§ Include volunteer work

§ Include any new training with general description of where program was obtained§ Focus on transferrable skills

§ Job Applications§ May need to address your record (on-line applications may prove to be difficult, develop new, strong references through direct hires or referrals)§ “Do you have a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted?”

§ Address gaps through§ Breaks to obtain education or personal growth

§ Job Searching§ Upon release seek volunteer opportunities and upgrade training§ How is your offence related to the job you are doing?

§ Impaired Driving (DUI)§ Theft under $5,000 / Theft over $5,000§ Fail to Comply with Order§ Assault§ Drug Possession

§ Temp Agencies do a less thorough search, begin working through agency and build references

§ Type of jobs available: § Construction, cleaning, cleaning construction sites (without exposure to valuables)

§ Ask client’s PO where else their other clients are finding work

§ Interview Skills§ May be appropriate to address your record at this time§ Be ready with a honest, contrite explanation, admit your fault in the incident, show how

you rectified the problem and point out your recent history or law observance, then bring the conversation back to why you’re the right for the current job

§ Being upfront—with a compelling explanation--can be your best approach§ Other ways to market yourself:

§ Agree to Let Potential Employers Check References§ Check Yourself Out§ Look at Your Province’s Laws

§ Encourage clients to obtain a copy of their record check for their own reference. They may find it helpful to see what an employer will see in order to address any questions or concerns confidently

§ Encourage clients to ‘Google’ their name to see what results it yields. The outcome may help them know what revisions should be made to their resume

§ Encourage clients to participate in training opportunities (LBS – A community partner) in order to address gaps in resumes

§ Establish a network of community partnerships both internally and externally (service coordination)§ Connect with community partners inside and outside of your geographical area. Although you

may not refer clients to a service provider who is in another city, they may be able to provide you with insight or expertise with a particular topic (i.e. record suspensions, landlord and tenant act, etc.)

§ Be aware of the referral process of community partners – not all referrals need to be ‘formal’§ Be willing to share your own information with community partners

§ Establish relationships with employers

§ Look for opportunities to ‘case conference’ with community partners in your area§ Create and take opportunities to tour other agencies, receive and/or provide presentations

§ Utilize resources like 211.ca or (2-1-1 to locate community resources in your geographical area§ Maintain a log of community resources/agencies to refer to as needed

§ Use iPad/tablet

§ Community resource chart

§ 10 minutes to complete

§ Parking lot questions