THE MET CENTERFAMILY AND WORKFORCE CENTERS OF AMERICA

Member of the Working Families Success Network (WFSN)

NATIONAL COALITION OF STATE LEGISLATORS

HUMAN SERVICES CHAIRS MEETING

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN AND

PARENTS TO ENSURE FAMILY ECONOMIC SUCCESS

OCTOBER 2, 2015

CAROLYN SEWARD

PRESIDENT/CEO

MET CENTER - FAMILY AND WORKFORCE CENTERS OF AMERICA

BUILDING HISTORYIn 1891, Herbert Wagner and Ferdinand Schwedtman started Wagner

Electric, a small motors company (transformers, ventilating fans, hydraulic

brake equipment, etc.) Located in downtown St. Louis, the small company

quickly grew and became one of St. Louis’s most prominent

manufacturers.

By 1913, Wagner's Wellston plant in St. Louis' northwest industrial

corridor was the third largest and the most modern in the country.

Wagner Plant, 1917

BUILDING HISTORY

Before picture of the MET Center.

BUILDING HISTORY

MET CENTER MISSIONThe MET Center is a strategic partnership created to stimulate the

economic self-sufficiency of individuals living in low to moderate

income communities of the St. Louis Region.

The Center seeks to accomplish this mission by delivering focused,

comprehensive, and accessible job training, placement, assessment,

career development services and transportations services.

We serve the underemployed, unemployed, and displaced workers,

leading to sustainable work and a competitive regional economy.

• Centrally Located Near the MetroLink

• Comprehensive Skill-Based Training

• Focused Individual Employment Planning

• Accessible Career Development and Placement Services

• Financial Education/Transportation Services/Early Child Care Services

18 Programs & Services

24 Collaborative Partners

Employment Training

Placement & Retention

Entrepreneurship Training Program

Financial Education & Asset Development

Healthy Relationship Education/Responsible Fatherhood

Training To Work-Reintegration Second Chance

Transportation and Child Care Services (Based on Program Funding or

eligibility)

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS St. Louis County Government

St. Louis County WIB

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (SLEDP)

St. Louis City WIB (SLATE)

Fathers’ Support Center (FSC)

St. Louis Community College (STLCC)

Metropolitan Training Alliance (MTA)

Special School District (SSD)

St. Louis Community Credit Union

(SLCCU)

AARP

Boeing

Emerson

Community Development Block Grant (State

and St. Louis County)

Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF)

The Private Bank

WFF Facility Services (Company)

Washington University

St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS)

W. K. Kellogg Foundation

East-West Gateway Council of Governments

Greater St. Louis Works (RCGA)

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

MO Dept. of Social Services-Family Support

Division (FSD)

MO Department of Economic Development

MET CENTER/CWFINTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

Customer Recruiting Orientation

Eligibility for financialAssistance, client services,

ITAs

Program Enrollment(Bundling of Services begins

here)

Adult Education Literacy

Transportation, Job Search,Mobility, Counseling Services

Bundling & Sequencing

Work Readiness TrainingFinancial Literacy and Asset Building

2 - 4 WeeksBundling & Sequencing of Service

Skill Based Training ProgramsBusiness Services B.O.A.T. (STLCC) ProjectXcel (STLCC)Transportation Diesel (STLCC)Career Pathways to Employers/ Pre-Employment Services (FWCA)Manufacturing HVAC (MTA) CNC (MTA) CRP (MTA)Healthcare LPN (SSD) CNA (STLCC) PCT (STLCC)BioScience Technology (FWCA)Distance Learning (FWCA)

Financial Services / Asset Building

Employment Services

Graduates from all programs can immediately obtain

employment

American Job Center – Placement Services

Supportive Services(Based on Funding)

Training To Work/Training To Work 2

Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood

Child Care ServicesMET Mobility Center

CounselingJob Search

Entrepreneurship Training Program - PrivateBank

Tax PrepFinancial Literacy - St. Louis

Community Credit UnionHousing Counseling

Legal ServicesFSD – Resource Center

CWFPATHWAYSTEPS-St.

Louis

Employer SpecificOrientation

for Job Seeker

Services Educational Programs Placement & Retention

Assessments (Individual Plans)

1. IEP: Case Manager

2. ITP: Case Manager

3. IFP: Financial Literacy Coach

Individuals Receiving Services (Enrollments) Each enrollment requires CWF Snapshot Form

Performance Measures (Placement/Retention/Advancements)

Employment Career and Education Service

Job Readiness Training

Skilled Training

ABE/GED/ESL

Career Counseling

Financial Services & Asset Building

Attending Financial Literacy

Classes

Participating in On-On-One

Financial counseling

Applying for a Credit Score

Work Support Service

Applying for DWD/FSD/SS benefits

Screening for Benefits

Participating in income / tax prep services

Missouri Career Center Services

Bundling of Services

90% of All Customers Received Bundled Services

Employment & Career Advancement

Became employed

Achieved 3, 6, 12 month retentions

Achieved Career/Life Advancements

Completed ABE/GED/ESL

Completed Job Readiness

Completed Skilled Training

Financial Stability and Asset Building

Obtain credit report

Correct errors on credit report

Improve credit score

Savings Account

Retirement Account

Drivers License

Car

Saving for down payment on home

Purchased home

Work Support

Receiving Public Benefits

Received Transportation Services

Received Tax Refund

Received EITC

Intake/Recruitment

Assessment/Orientation

Pre-Assessment Services

1. TABE

2. Work Keys

3. Qualify for STEPS-St.

Louis

CWF – MET Center St. Louis –STEPS-St. Louis

Funnel Process

11-01-2015 – 10-31-2017

FWCA/MET CENTER PROCESS FLOW

Assessments (Individual Plans)

1. IEP: Case Manager

2. ITP: Case Manager

3. IFP: Financial Literacy Coach

Individuals Receiving Services (Enrollments) Each enrollment requires CWF Snapshot Form

Performance Measures (Placement/Retention/Advancements)

Employment Career and Education Service

Job Readiness Training

Skilled Training

ABE/GED/ESL

Career Counseling

Financial Services & Asset Building

Attending Financial Literacy

Classes

Participating in On-On-One

Financial counseling

Applying for a Credit Score

Work Support Service

Applying for DWD/FSD/SS benefits

Screening for Benefits

Participating in income / tax prep services

Missouri Career Center Services

Bundling of Services

90% of All Customers Received Bundled Services

Employment & Career Advancement

Became employed

Achieved 3, 6, 12 month retentions

Achieved Career/Life Advancements

Completed ABE/GED/ESL

Completed Job Readiness

Completed Skilled Training

Financial Stability and Asset Building

Obtain credit report

Correct errors on credit report

Improve credit score

Savings Account

Retirement Account

Drivers License

Car

Saving for down payment on home

Purchased home

Work Support

Receiving Public Benefits

Received Transportation Services

Received Tax Refund

Received EITC

Intake/Recruitment

Assessment/Orientation

Pre-Assessment Services

1. TABE

2. Work Keys

3. Qualify for STEPS-St.

Louis

CWF – MET Center St. Louis –STEPS-St. Louis

Funnel Process

11-01-2015 – 10-31-2017

TWO GENERATIONAL APPROACH

St. Louis Community Credit Union

MET CENTER SERVICES

Early Explorers Child Development Academy

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS

STL Economic Development Partnership

Annie E. Casey Foundation

St. Louis City WIB

St. Louis County WIB

The PrivateBank

Washington University

Boeing

Placement & Retention

Skill-Based Training

Open Enrollment

HiSET/AEL

Pre-Employment Services

Entrepreneurship Training

Healthy Marriage/Relationship

Bioscience Technology

Early Childhood Education

Parent Engagement/Family Strengthening

Clinical Health & Wellness

Financial Literacy

Second Chance Banking

Financial Products & Services

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Residents

Local Businesses

Faith-Based Institutions

Community-Based Organizations

Sure Rides Auto Loan ProgramChild Care

EMPLOYMENT

FAMILY STABILITY

W. K. Kellogg Foundation

MAP OF ECE PARTNERS

STEPS-ST. LOUIS PROCESS FLOW

Partners

FWCA Board of DirectorsFWCA Staff

STEPS-St. Louis Advisory BoardMET Board of Directors

STL County WIB

ECE/Pre-K/K-3 PartnersEECDA

Pershing ElementaryFlynn Park Elementary

Jackson Park ElementaryBarbara C. Jordan Elementary

Pine Lawn Head StartPagedale Head Start

Employer PartnersOver 700 Employers

Training ProvidersMET Center

St. Louis Community CollegeDESE approved programs

Financial LiteracyFamily & Workforce Centers

of AmericaSt. Louis Community Credit

UnionReliance Bank

Midland States Bank

Recruitment & Enrollment

Recruit 300 single mothersScreening & Assessment

(Determine Barriers)

Work Readiness TrainingSoft Skills, Life Skills, AEL/HiSET, Bridge Programs

Short-Term, Sector Based Training

I.T.BioSTEM

HealthcareManufacturing

OpticianryCareer Pathways

Patient Care Technician

Case ManagementWeekly Follow-Up

Supportive/Wrap-a-Round Services

Postsecondary Education

Financial Literacy/Asset Development

Checking AccountSavings Account

Children’s Savings AccountCredit Reports

Improve Credit ScoreEntrepreneurship Training

Program

Placement/Retention Services

100 Single Mothers Placed in Employment

Short-Term, Sector Based Training

150 Single Mothers Complete Training (stackable, industry-

recognized credential)

Case Management/Employment & Retention

Initial Employment (112-75%)3-Month Retention6-Month Retention

12-Month Retention (75-80%)

Transitional Employment Strategies

Financial Literacy/Education

Supportive/Wrap-a-Round Services

WorkshopsMental Wellness

(Staff, Partners, Customers)

Job Coaching(Staff, Partners)

INPUT PROCESS OUTCOMES

STEPS-ST. LOUIS FLOW OF SERVICE

Target PopulationSingle Mothers who are/have: Unemployed Children ages 0 to 8

years Children enrolled in

quality child-care/education programs

Recruitment/OrientationRegistration, Intake,

Assessment(TABE, IEP, IFP, ITP)

MET Center/American Jobs Center

Identify Barriers

Transportation Legal Issues Mental Wellness Substance Abuse

AssessmentsRemediation

Skill-Based TrainingFinancial Literacy

Job SearchEmployer Partners

CaseManager

Supportive ServicesWork-Related Expenses

(WRE)Transportation Related

Expenses (TRE)Sure Rides Auto Loans

Medicaid Cash Assistance

Food StampsMental Wellness

Peer Support Family Strengthening

Job Coaching

Employment100 mothers

employed

Retention3,6,12 month

(75-80% after 1 year)

Financial Asset/Development

Increase IncomeIncrease Credit Score

Reduce Debt

Ancillary OutcomesChild Outcomes

Family/Parenting Engagement

Family Coach/Case Manager

Work Readiness Soft Skills AEL/Hi-SET Life Skills Cognitive Skills Behavior

Modification

Sector--Based Training Bioscience/STEM Business Office Administrative Manufacturing CNA Patient Care Tech

(PCT) Opticianry I.T. Career Pathways

ECE Partners Early Explorers Child

Development Academy

Pershing Elementary Flynn Park

Elementary Jackson Park

Elementary Barbara C. Jordan

Elementary Pine Lawn Head

Start Pagedale Head Start

ACCOMPLISHMENTS As of August 31, 2015, the following outcomes have been achieved through our CWF/WFSN

initiative:

– 21,753 Assessments completed

– 4,225 Skill Training

– 5,084 Job Search

– 7,191 Receiving financial literacy services

– 5,997 Placed in employment

– $9.00 per hour average wage

Co-location of St. Louis Community Credit Union (first in the region to be located in a

workforce development center. Since opening in June 2011, the following has been achieved:

Performed 82,693 transactions

Opened 1,543 New Accounts

Secured 558 loans, totaling $1,799,557

Strategic partnership reduced total cost (by minimizing or eliminating the duplication of

services, i.e. recruitment, assessment)

St. Louis Economic Development Partnership 2014 Annual Meeting – Recipient of Talent

Development Award

PUBLICATIONS/CASE STUDY “Success Story: Wellston’s Next Chapter” (Economic Development Administration, U.S.

Department of Commerce, 2015)

This newsletter story highlights the impact the MET Center has had and continues to have on the

region, with support from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the Economic

Development Administration.

“The MET Center: A Regional Approach to Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency”

(Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings Institution, 2015)

This study shows how the Metropolitan Education and Training (MET) Center has crafted an

integrated workforce development model that works with residents and employers throughout the

region to promote the economic self-sufficiency of low-income workers and contribute to a

competitive metropolitan economy.

“Changing Systems is Like Moving a Mountain” (Hebert, 2010)

This publication offers reflections on system-change leadership in the workforce development

field from thirteen leaders involved in Casey's Jobs Initiative, including key leadership skills,

motivation, challenges, and strategies. Suggests ways to support new leaders.

“A Bottom-up Definition of Self-sufficiency” (Hong, Sheriff, 2009)

This study explores the extent to which the top-down definition of ‘economic’ self-sufficiency as

the social policy goal is consistent with how the clients of job training programs perceive the

term.

CHALLENGES

Dual Data Entry

Career Pathway Bridge Training

Funding Opportunities –

• Two generation work –parent engagement

• Integrated Service Delivery Approach

CONTACT INFORMATION

CAROLYN D. SEWARD

PRESIDENT/CEO – FAMILY AND WORKFORCE CENTERS OF AMERICA

MET CENTER OPERATIONS

6347 PLYMOUTH AVENUE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63133

(314) 746-0752 – OFFICE

(314) 746-0735 – FAX

EMAIL: CSEWARD@FWCA-STL.COM

EMAIL: CSEWARD@METCENTERSTL.COM

WEBSITE: WWW.FWCA-STL.COM

WEBSITE: WWW.METCENTERSTL.COM