The Parent Success Initiative a collaboration of The Center for Community Alternatives & Greater Syracuse Works Marsha Weissman, Ph.D., Executive Director Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) - Pathways2Work Valerie Westphal Director of Workforce Development and RWA Programs The Doe Fund

Presentation Overview Organizational Overviews – The Doe Fund History and RWA Program Summary – Center for Community Alternatives Program Summary US DOL Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) – The Doe Funds ETJD Program Overview – Center for Community Alternatives ETJD Program Overview

Benefits of Transitional Employment as Workforce Development Strategy Immediate Income Improved employability and work reference Skills development (soft and hard skills) Individuals confidence improves; think of themselves as workers Supportive services available Income serves as incentive to participate in other services/training and to stay engaged TJ Best Practices 3

Transitional Jobs: Evidence to Date Initial impact on employment Employment impact dissipates over time Some programs had an impact on recidivism Source:

US DOL ETJD Program US DOL developed Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) in partnership with US Dept of HHS and DOJ 7 grants awarded nationally: New York State was the only state to receive two awards – DOE Fund – Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) Target Populations – Individuals with Conviction Histories released from prison within 120 days: DOE FUND PROGRAM – Non-custodial Parents: CCA PROGRAM Service Enhancements Random Assignment Evaluation

US DOL ETJD Program Deliverables Intake Goals – 1OOO recruited at each site over two years – 500 become treatment group – 500 become control group Outcomes to be Measured – 60% of enrollees gain unsubsidized employment – 75% of those will retain employment – $9.00 average wage – 22% -- decrease in recidivism rate – Consistent payment of child support

About The Doe Fund Multi-disciplinary human services and workforce development agency Approx. $50 million annual operating budget Working to break interrelated cycles of homelessness, criminal recidivism, unemployment, and addiction

Founded by George McDonald during peak of homelessness crisis in New York City: – Fed homeless in Grand Central for 700 consecutive nights – They repeatedly asked for a room and a job to pay for it –Mama Doe dies on Christmas Day, 1985 – Doe Fund created in her name – RWA program developed to fulfill self-identified needs of homeless individuals About The Doe Fund (contd.)

Ready, Willing & Able: Early Years 1990: participants recruited from Grand Central, other shelters Paid transitional work: originally, renovations of city- owned apartments 1995: new Mayor Giuliani slashes housing budgets, resulting in >60% cut to Doe Fund contracts Men in Blue arrive on East 86 th Street First venture in social entrepreneurship (a needed service + jobs for participants + funds for program)

The Men in Blue

Cleans over 150 miles of NYC streets Added three more social entrepreneurial businesses Training incentive: $7.40/hr (to $8.15 after 6 mos.) Weekly automatic deductions: $105 for program contribution; $54 for savings $1,000 graduate incentive – Given over 5 months, in installments of $200 – Requires proof of employment, housing & sobriety – Promotes employment retention Ready, Willing & Able: Today

1.Paid Transitional Work and Training –In-House Assignment (X hours/week, 1 month) Custodial, kitchen, light maintenance Serves as evaluation period –Field Assignment (35 hours/week, 8–10 months) Begin with Street Cleaning, Security or Kitchen Advanced Occupational Trainings (includes Resource Recovery, Pest at Rest, Back Office ventures) Ready, Willing & Able Services: Foundation for ETJD

2.Substance Abuse Services – Random Drug Testing (2x/week) – Relapse Prevention Services (as needed) 3.Individual Case Management (1x/week) 4.Career Development – Career Development 101 (Month 4; 1x/week for 6 weeks) – Career Development 102 (Month 7; 1x/week for 5 weeks) 5. Life Skills and Education – Financial Management – Adult Education (on-site classes available) Ready, Willing & Able: Services

Classroom Based Occupational Training Increases training, qualifications and certifications Energy Efficient Building Maintenance Computer Skills Training – Computer Lab Assistant Drivers Education NYS Food Handlers Certification and ServSafe Pest Control Training (Pest at Rest) Commercial Drivers License (Resource Recovery)

Pathways2Work (P2W) 6-month transitional work program Job retention and career advancement support Cohort-based Staged employment model -2 months with The Doe Fund -2 months paid internship with partners

Transitional work assignments – 3 days/week Education / Instruction – 2 days/week – Computer Skills Training – Parenting Workshops – Cognitive Behavior Therapy – Career Pathways 101, 102, 103 – Healthy Behaviors – Financial Management Pathways2Work (P2W)

Intensive Re-entry Focus Staged Employment: Involved Employer Partners Cohort Model: Peer Support and Mentorship Enhancements: P2W vs. RWA

The Center for Community Alternatives Mission: to reduce the use of incarceration and foster community reintegration Promote public safety, civil rights and human rights Direct services Research, training and policy advocacy through CCA/Justice Strategies Offices throughout NYS: NYC; Syracuse; Buffalo & Rochester

Services to Reduce Incarceration Sentencing Advocacy Employment Gender-specific drug treatment Specialized juvenile justice programs HIV and Health programs

Copyright (c) 2009 New York University Review of Law & Social Change ARTICLE: ASPIRING TO THE IMPRACTICABLE: ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION IN THE ERA OF MASS INCARCERATION SENTENCING FOR DOLLARS: THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CRIMINAL CONVICTION

Greater Syracuse Works A community partnership of non-profit community-based organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, businesses, and community residents

GSW – CCA Collaborations GSW – workforce collaboration for hard-to- employment populations CCA – holistic services for people with criminal records Early experience showed that 70% of participants in GSW collaborations had criminal history records Barriers to employment attach to the criminal record

GSW Support Service Coordination (Subcontract) GSW Support Service Coordination (Subcontract) CCA Operations Manager Transitional Jobs 4 day work-week 1 day job seeking skills, job search, support services Paid participation – weekly wage Placement into competitive jobs may occur from the TJ program Transitional Jobs 4 day work-week 1 day job seeking skills, job search, support services Paid participation – weekly wage Placement into competitive jobs may occur from the TJ program Support Services Legal – Family law, Civic Restoration Literacy/Education – Basic Ed, Pre-GED, Certificate Industry-Recognized Credentials – NWRC, NCRC Life Skills Training - Parenting/ Communication/Relationships Job Skill Training – Certificates, degree programs Family Mediation Financial Literacy Referrals – MH, DV, D & A counseling Support Services Legal – Family law, Civic Restoration Literacy/Education – Basic Ed, Pre-GED, Certificate Industry-Recognized Credentials – NWRC, NCRC Life Skills Training - Parenting/ Communication/Relationships Job Skill Training – Certificates, degree programs Family Mediation Financial Literacy Referrals – MH, DV, D & A counseling Case Management Services Multiple subcontracts with organizations located in the communities they serve Case Management Services Multiple subcontracts with organizations located in the communities they serve Key Referral Sources: Family Court, Child Support, Criminal Justice Work Readiness Training Focus on work behavior, attendance, peer & supervisor relationships Work Readiness Training Focus on work behavior, attendance, peer & supervisor relationships Job Development Job development Employer events, tours, presentations Practice Interviews Coordination with case managers Job Development Job development Employer events, tours, presentations Practice Interviews Coordination with case managers Participant Supports Work/interview clothing Transportation – bus passes Participant Supports Work/interview clothing Transportation – bus passes Planning Advisory Committee Employer & Participant Advisory Councils Lead Agency: CCA Intake & Random Assignment Lead Agency: CCA Intake & Random Assignment

Case Management Holistic services with an employment focus Help prepare participants for transitional and unsubsidized jobs Connect participants to service enhancements Assist in job development and job placement

Work Readiness Training LEADERS Developed by CCA and GSW Based in part on Offender Workforce Development (National Institute of Corrections) Topics – Written and verbal communication – Work habits – Interpersonal relationships/Conflict management – Teamwork – Career planning – Work crew procedures and processes

Transitional Jobs Work crew experience Close supervision Weekly pay Daily feedback Worksites: Syracuse Housing Authority; exploration of private business partner

Service Enhancements Legal assistance with child support issues Civic Restoration to address criminal history issues Literacy – Basic Ed, Pre-GED, GED Industry-Recognized Credentials – NWRC Job Skills Training – Certifications Life Skills Training – Parenting, Financial Literacy Participant Supports – clothing, tools, transportation Referrals – Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse and Recovery Supports

Valerie Westphal Director of Workforce Development and RWA Programs The Doe Fund Marsha Weissman, PhD Executive Director Center for Community Alternatives