Job Search Strategies and Curriculum for Engaging Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Applicants

Objectives To discuss how to engage a large applicant population in activities that prepare them for a work, not welfare To discuss how to help customers who are applying for cash find job quickly or help move them into the “mandatory” engagement component of the TCA program effectively To discuss how to facilitate sessions using curriculum created locally to encourage customer’s participation and learning the tools needed for success 2

Flow Process 3 Customers receive notification from DCF to “work Register” Customers contact ZuCan program, walk in to the Zucan Office, or go to the Zucan website Customers watch a series of webinars that give information about the ZuCan program, as well as their next steps based on their individual needs. Customers register for a session. If they are working or in school, we do not want to disrupt their success: they simply fax in documents to get started. If the customer is not working or going to school, the customer begins the Job Club program.

Initial Engagement: Introduction Process 4

Join ZuCan Program Customers will go to ZuCan website zucan/ zucan/ Select an appropriate program – Mandatory (cash) – Volunteer (food stamps) Watch webinars – Introduction – Childcare – Professional Standards Print documents Register for a session, if applicable – Childcare Session – Job Club Session (Getting Started) Fax documents or bring the documents to the session 5

Join ZuCan Program 6

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Register for Class Session Customers must go to a website to register for their first session at – We also use this appointment site for other appointments Customers register and confirm a date/time for their first session The applicant finishes registering for the session 8

Next Steps Job Club Sessions are listed by county as well – Click on the appropriate link and register for the session 9

Next Steps Customers must click on the link next to the date and time they would like to attend. – For example, if the customer wants to attend the first class, Getting Started, on September 12 at 9:30, (s)he must click on the blue words next to this date/time 10

Next Steps Customers must register to attend the appropriate class (Childcare Session or Job Club Session) – Click to register – Enter all required information – Enter you address 11

Next Steps Customer must bring to the Childcare Session or the Job Club Session – Completed ZuCan Assessment Form – Singed Professional Standards Acknowledgement Form If the customer does not bring in these forms, the customer is removed from class – Asked to review the webinars – Told about times that the labs are open in case they need help – Required to reschedule for a session on another date 12

Job Club Job Club is a program designed – To engage a large number of customers in classroom activities combined with online activities – To teach participants how to look for work – To offer tools necessary to be successful in finding employment 13

Introduction to Zucan Job Club Job Club – Is a five-week program – Offers customers job search resources and tools – Combines in-class sessions with Internet- based activities and webinars – Requires customers to complete a set number of hours each week in a calendar of activities and homework assignments 14

Facilitator’s Goals Engage the customers in activities from the onset – It is important that customers are held accountable in Job Club – Customers are rewarded for moving forward – Customers who are not moving forward are not provided transportation or other services 15

Facilitator’s Goals Be prepared – All facilitators gather information about attendees Collect and review documents unless turned in at a Childcare Session – ZuCan Assessment – Professional Standards Acknowledgement Form 16

Getting Started Review information about the ZuCan program again – Discuss the program’s professional standards – Discuss program requirements Introduce calendars – Review the webinar assignments – Review homework Assigned to Career Engagement Specialist (CES) 17

Sample Job Club Calendar Participant’s Name: ______________________________ Date: ________/_________/________ You attended the Job Club-Getting Started class today, your next class is titled Getting Organized. This class will be held on (date): ____/____/_______ at ­­________AM/PM. The session will be held at _______________________________ in __________, Florida. Before you attend your next class you must complete the required activities. These activities are listed below. If you complete the assignment in our office, you can have a staff member sign you in and out. If you complete the assignment in another location where a staff member is willing, they can sign you in and out. TEACHER COMPLETES The teacher will check off each item and enter hours of participation with a signature. Watch the webinar titled Using EFM in Job Club, which is posted on There are assignments built into our webinars. You must watch the entire webinar and follow the directions given and complete the assignments. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________ TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ Do not forget your assignment when you come to class! Was this assignment completed: Yes No Hours of participation: _______ Teacher’s initials: ___________ Watch the webinar titled Using People First in Job Club, which is posted on There are assignments built into our webinars. You must watch the entire webinar and follow the directions given and complete the assignments. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________ TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ Do not forget your assignment when you come to class! Was this assignment completed: Yes No Hours of participation: _______ Teacher’s initials: ___________ Go to one of our computer labs and click on the CHOICES icon. Print your results and bring them to class. WHERE DID YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY? ____________________ TIME IN: __________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ TIME OUT: ________ STAFF INITIALS ____________ Do not forget your assignment when you come to class! Was this assignment completed: Yes No Hours of participation: _______ Teacher’s initials: ___________ 18

Getting Organized Facilitators teach – Customers how to organize their job search so that they can use their time wisely – Tips of the trade – How to fill out a Job Search Time Sheet – How to fill out the Job Search Report Form 19

Getting Organized 20 The customer is reminded of the date and time they attended Getting Organized and their next session. The first activity is to watch a Goal Setting webinar created by staff. The session offers the customer a workbook to use and plan. The customer can set goals and write out steps to reach those goals. Later, this is used when the customer meets with his/her CES.

Getting Organized 21 In the next class, staff teach the customer how to fill out a job application. We are preparing the customer to demonstrate these skills by having the customer review a webinar related to filling out an application in advance. The customer then prints an application and brings it to class for review. This application is updated to use as an example or “pocket application” while job searching.

Getting Connected The staff review the homework and then review – How to complete an application – How to answer questions What to say What not to say Classwork builds employability skills – Classroom assignments require teamwork – Activities required customers to think from an employer’s perspective 22

Getting Heard Once again, facilitators must connect the classroom materials with the homework assignments – The homework required the customer to watch webinars on the interview process – Customers had to download a list of common questions and write out answers – The facilitators collect the homework, and then the attendees have to conduct practice interviews – Facilitators bridge the learning process again using hands on learning, as well as fun exercises – Facilitators use this opportunity to teach techniques for successful interviews 23

Resume Lab Prior to the session – Students worked on resume worksheets, as well as watched webinars on creating a competitive resume During class – Customers create or update their resume, as well as work on creating a resume in Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM) – Staff help customers one-on-one in the computer lab 24

Other Internal Programs The ZuCan program has other internal curriculum designed by managers and staff ZuCan Works – A four-day program that focuses on the development of employability skills prior to connecting a customer to a worksite – Customer are led in a curriculum that includes topics, such as Communication in the Workplace Stress Management Budgeting Ethics 25

ZuCan Works Connected with a worksite to gain employability skills Customers who do well at their worksite are connected with the Re-Connection Program (REC) – Paid work experience, coded as subsidized employment – Connects the customers to employers to build employability skills, work experience on the customer’s resume and a network for unsubsidized employment 26

Conclusion And it all started with the Introduction to the ZuCan Program process – Customers learn about the program through webinars – Customers who are working, going to school or cannot work due to medical limitations are connected with a CES immediately and fax in documents – Customers who can work but are not working or going to school are connected with Job Club 27

Questions 28

Thank You! With ZuCan You Can! 29