1. Session 1.04: Integrating Employment Services into Family & Youth Housing Strategies
Presented by Laura Ware
Colorado Center on Law and Policy (CCLP)
Denver, Colorado

2. Project -WIOA – Opportunities for Job-seekers who have experienced homelessness
Goal
To determine how homeless/housing and workforce systems are interfacing and collaborating to support employment goals of individuals, families and youth facing homelessness

3. Project – (cont) Research
Interviewed managers of 14 workforce areas and sub-areas in Colorado representing all 64 counties
Interviewed over 80 community organizations and other public agencies
Interviewed 3 Continuums of Cares in state
Submitted comments on all state, regional and local plans related to WIOA and its implementation

4. Project (cont) Findings and Lessons
Workforce areas across state vary in how they address employment needs of people experiencing homelessness
Each system has limited knowledge of other (i.e. WIOA state plan did not reference CoC or HEARTH act), CoC does not have workforce representation
Often SNAP/SNAP E and T is meeting place of both systems
Eligibility requirements and outcomes in systems are not aligned
Areas with mobile workforce services and transitional employment opportunities are demonstrating success

5. Findings and Lessons (cont)
Project (cont)
Findings and Lessons (cont)
Staff in each system pressured to meet different outcomes
Youth homeless and workforce systems often more aligned
TANF and WIOA coordinated, but people experiencing homelessness have challenges accessing WIOA
Rural areas have demonstrated significant innovation
“Parallel” systems often exist for our population
Most workforce areas acknowledge that serving our population has been a significant challenge

9. Legislation for New Resources
Samantha has been participating in a local non- profit’s employment program to learn a new skill. She has recently been offered an interview with a company in the industry she’s been training for, but has no means to pay the $60 for child care the day of the interview. Her non-profit case manager writes a company check made out to Samantha’s babysitter, allowing Samantha to attend the interview. The case manager submits a reimbursement request of $60 for child care to the non-profit administrator and the case manager’s company is reimbursed in a timely manner.

11. Laura Ware Program Consultant lauraware985@gmail.com 720-334-5430
Contact Information
Laura Ware Program Consultant