Making Employment Work for People who are homeless and experience multiple barriers Serena M. Powell, MS, CRC Executive Director

History Boston’s West End in 1877 Cooperative Society for Visitors Among Boston’s Poor Women – gain skills to support themselves Men - Habits of Temperance and Good Hygiene Started serving homeless population in 1997

Participant Profile 90% of those served have at least one disability 75% have two or more disabling conditions 40% Homeless are at-risk of homelessness Gender: 61% Male and 39% Female Average Age – 43 years old 50% Caucasian, 32% African American, 11% Latino, 3% Asian

Core Services Core Services include Intensive Case Management Vocational Assessment Assistive Technology Assessment and Training Transitional Job Programs with Paid Wages Classroom Based- Credentialed Programs Job Placement Post Placement and 12 months Follow Up

Transitional Job Programs Areas Food Service and Catering Housekeeping and Facility Maintenance Grounds maintenance (Streetscapes) Mailing and Production Center (long- term)

Transitional Jobs (cont) Structure Up to 20 hours a week, Hands on Paid, minimum wage, DOL certificate or Piece rate based on performance Graduate to internships with employers NISH Placements (Ability One Program)

Credentialed Training Programs Portable Credential, Higher Wages, Career Paths, Dedicated Employers At Your Service – Hotel and Hospitality Training American Hotel and Lodging Association $13.00 an hour, average wage at placement before gratuities 200 different jobs in a hotel, varying schedules 10 Weeks, Classroom based, 330 hours Hotel Advisory Council

Credentialed Programs (cont) E-Academy (web-based, hours) Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers Child Welfare Working with people with DD Substance Abuse and MH Counseling Other areas

Additional Program Components Case Management assists individuals with addressing obstacles in their lives, making referrals for needed services (childcare, housing). Job Readiness teaches important aspects of “work culture” and life management skills Job Placement to ensure good match, hours work, travel considerations, tax credits Follow up Services for a minimum of 12 months post- placement to ensure long term job retention and success. Seminars on balancing life issues and work.

Maximizing Resources Goal: Not to foster unnecessary reliance on public benefits and subsidies Goal: Access best array of supports and maximize Income Goal: Minimize fear about transitioning to work Goal: Educate participants about their options and what happens to subsidies as they go to work

Filling in the Gaps Case Management Activity - ENGAGE Intake and Exploration of Background Current, past living situation Past, present and future employment and education Finances, - Financial knowledge and ability to manage own budget, credit history (loan defaults) Dependants/Relationships (Child Support) Legal Issues – CORI, Outstanding Warrants Need to know everything

Explore Options and Eligibility Cash assistance (SSI, SSDI, TANF, Child Support), Food Stamps VR services (diagnosis) Legal services Free or reduced health care services (new mandatory health care in MA) Subsidized housing (Section 8, Disability) Other Services - Mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, family therapy,

Assistance and Supports On-site Food Stamp Screenings VR and TANF Dept. Benefits Specialists Break it down into understandable language (lots of myths, reduce subsidies over time, ramp up other supports) Report CORI Experts (clear up things that may impede access to resources) Private Foundation Support – Housing, other needs Financial literacy – EITC Employers – Tax Credits, Bonding Programs Post Placement Plan – bonuses and incentives, education opportunities

More Information Research briefs at Serena M. Powell, Executive Director, Eugene Gloss, Director of Workforce Development,