Colorado’s Paradigm Shift in Refugee Employment Services Hillary Prag: State of Colorado Refugee Services Program Marzia Kaka: Lutheran Family Services

Demographic Data Between 1.5%-1.9% of refugees resettling in U.S. come to Colorado in in 2013 Current largest populations: Burmese populations, Bhutanese, Iraqis, East and Central Africans Refugees are resettled in Denver metropolitan area as well as Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins. Employment Data Entered Employment Rate 68% in Goal: 75% 72% in Day Retention Rate: 88%2014 Goal: 90% 69.64% of jobs are outside meat packing and hotels2014 Goal: 70% Colorado Dashboard

Old Model (mirrors education system) IntakeAssessmentTrainingPlacement

New Model Secondary Placement Preparation Activities (Cultural Orientation, ESL, Job Club) Job Developer Placement Self- Placers return for secondary assistance Intake and referral from career counselor of all clients Based on the professional consultation from Allen Anderson and the Dover Training Group & Employment Management Professionals company. emp.com Self-Placement

Step 1: Arrival Intake and assessment from career counselor of all clients

Step 2: Assessment Intake and assessment from career counselor of all clients Motivated, Reliable, Dependable (MRD)? Look for signs of reflective thinking rather than impulsive thinking. Ask for a story from the past that elicits proof of these three things.

Skills Practice: Assess MRD and Elicit the Proof Name: Gender: Age: Country of Origin: Date of Arrival: Level of English: Pascal Male 19 DRC 1 week ago Basic

Skills Practice: Assess MRD and Elicit the Proof Name: Gender: Age: Country of Origin: Date of Arrival: Level of English: Genet Female 39 Eritrea 4 weeks ago Basic

Skills Practice: Assess MRD and Elicit the Proof Name: Gender: Age: Country of Origin: Date of Arrival: Level of English: Leh Meh Female 46 Burma 1 week ago Basic

Step 3: Referral Motivated, Reliable, Dependable (MRD)? If yes, they move to job development If no, they remain in preparation activities until they become MRD Preparation Activities (Cultural Orientation, ESL, Job Club) Job Developer Placement Intake and referral from career counselor of all clients

Step 4: Job Development Determine placement strategies Work the hidden market for job openings Set up appointments with new employers Assess the employer’s needs Match candidates according to those needs Sell the candidates you have chosen Follow up to support the employer Preparation Activities (Cultural Orientation, ESL, Job Club) Job Developer Placement Intake and referral from career counselor of all clients Self-Placement

Skills Focus: Consultative Selling What are the components of your first engagement with an employer? What do you put the most importance on?

Tomorrow 10:45am Tomorrow 10:45am “Messaging refugee services to external partners: Beyond a strengths-based approach and into a business strategy” Key skills: Getting past, “no thank you” Sustaining continued partnerships