WorkFirst

July 2010

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• Boston based, non-profit homeless service organization

• Serve 3,000 homeless and newly housed adult men and women annually

• Mission: to end and prevent homelessness through self-sufficiency and

permanent housing programs

• Eight programs focused on: Recovery, Employment and Housing

• Launched IMPACT Employment Services in 1994 as regional employment

service for homeless men and women

• Launched WorkFirst in 2009 as demonstration project

www.hopefoundboston.org

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WorkFirst

“It is worthwhile to offer employment at the earliest stages of

engagement to help people who are

homeless develop trust, motivation and hope.”

-Shaheen and Rio, Journal of Primary Prevention, 2007

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst Overview

– 3-year demonstration project

– 140 newly housed, formerly homeless men and women

– Partnerships with housing providers

– Advisory Group

– External evaluation

– A project of hopeFound’s IMPACT Employment Services

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst Goals

1. Promote self-sufficiency and housing stability for formerly homeless adults through the early introduction of employment services

2. Promote the integration of employment services within housing first models regionally and nationally

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WorkFirst

Annual Project Cost: $316,564.00

Cost Per Client: $2,670.00 (includes job training and stipends)

Initial Funding Sources:

• The Bank of New York Mellon

• City of Boston/Pine Street Inn Home to Stay (Regional Network Pilot)

• Oak Foundation

• United Way

• Wal-Mart Foundation

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WorkFirst

Background Research

• Given the opportunity, homeless people can and want to work, including those who are chronically homeless.

• Quickly finding a job helps homeless people afford and stay in housing.

• Providing rapid access to jobs is more effective than requiring participation in pre-employment readiness services.

• Employment offered at the earliest stages of engagement helps people who are homeless develop trust, motivation and hope.

- Recognizing Work as a Priority in Preventing or Ending Homelessness, Gary Shaheen and John Rio, Journal of Primary Prevention, June 2007

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WorkFirst

Background Research (continued)

• Work is a critical recovery tool for people with substance abuse or mental health histories – it supports continued stability.

• Client contributions through employment income can help supportive housing programs stretch subsidy dollars.

• Employment services offered within a supportive housing model result in increased net earnings for tenants and decreased reliance on public entitlements.

• Cost-savings and additional tax revenue provided by client income offset more than three quarters of funder investment.

-Long and Amendolia, Abt Associates, 2003

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WorkFirst

Program Principles

• Every person is able to work in the right competitive employment

• Job search begins as soon as a person expresses a desire to work

• Person-centered, non-coercive

• Client driven, strengths based

• Everyone is “ready”

• Economic self sufficiency through career advancement

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst Eligibility

– Clients must be newly housed in permanent subsidized housing for less than 90 days

– Housing can have no prerequisites such as sobriety

– Clients must be receiving case management services

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst Services

Outreach

– hopeFound

– Partner organizations

Engagement

– ETO notification

– First meeting (Welcome Bag)

– Statement of interest

– Identification of obstacle

Enrollment

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WorkFirst Services (continued)

Core Employment Activities

– Individualized Employment counseling

– Action Plan

– Career exploration

– Key Train skills Curriculum

– Computer Proficiency Training

– Portfolio Development

– Job Search

– Career Advancement (Training)

– Retention support

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst model and toolkit based on the Stages of Change Theory

(Prochaska and Diclemente, 1997)

Stages of Change:

• Pre-contemplation

• Contemplation

• Preparation

• Action

• Maintenance

• Relapse

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst Approach: Stages of Change*

1. Pre-contemplation: No awareness of problem of need to change. “Working won’t make a difference in my life.” “I’m too disabled.”

2. Contemplation: Considers work as a possibility.  “Maybe later, not now.”

3. Preparation: Taking stock, making a plan, seeking options. “I’m interested, how do I make it work this time?”

4. Action:  Engaged in job search, volunteering, internship, pursuing education. “This is my plan and here is how you can help me.”

5. Maintenance: Reinforcing what works. “In my job, this is going well/this is not going well and reasons why.”

6. Relapse Prevention: Anticipate and plan for relapse, viewed as learning opportunity. “I want to be part of the group and going out after work for a drink is just too hard to avoid.”

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Workfirst Toolkit

1. Stage Behaviors indicative of a particular stage.

2. Outcomes Key behavioral outcomes that indicate the client is moving toward the next stage of change.

3. Competencies Soft skills competencies needed for all entry level jobs.

4. Actions Activities to engage client.

5. Resources Materials, handouts, worksheets to support activities.

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WorkFirst

Toolkit Example: Client in Pre-contemplation Stage

Client: “I can’t work”Counselor: How do you know? Do you want to? What does work mean to

you?

Client: “I’ll lose my benefits.”Counselor: It depends, let’s find out. Let’s make a plan. Do you know anyone

who lost benefits when they started working? Are you willing to work if you can keep your benefits?

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WorkFirst

Toolkit Example: Client in Pre-contemplation Stage (con’t)

1. Outcome:

– Client agrees to one meeting about employment goals outside of the home at a restaurant or library. Facilitates alliance and supports client’s strengths.

– Client makes “What if . . .” statements, e.g. “What would happen to my benefits?”

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WorkFirst

Toolkit Example: Client in Pre-contemplation Stage (con’t)

2. Competencies: Enhancing Soft Skills

– Personal Qualities: sociability, self-esteem

– Thinking: reasoning

– Basic Skills: speaking, listening

– Resources: use of time

3. Actions: life and career mapping, creative exploration, resource information

4. Resources: Worksheets, Discovery Cards, etc.

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WorkFirst

WorkFirst guides clients to develop a portable “Portfolio of Success” including:

– Discovery Cards (abilities and strengths)– Checklists of skills, interests, and abilities– Community resources map– Practice application for job or a training program– Evaluations from internships or volunteer positions– KeyTrain and WorkKeys results– Resume and cover letter

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YTD Client Profile (7.7.10)

• 28 clients enrolled

• 13% female, 87% male

• Age:– 15% 26-30 yrs.– 42% 31-45 yrs.– 25% 46-55 yrs.– 15% 56-60 yrs.– 3% 61 yrs. <

• Race: 43% White, 50% Black/African American, 7% Other

• Veteran: 17%

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WorkFirst

YTD Client profile (7.7.10 – con’t)

• Educational background: 15% no high school

58% high school degree

27% some post-secondary

• Disability: 43% (mental health and/or substance abuse)

• Receive public benefits: 38%

• Chronic homelessness: 46%

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YTD Outcomes

Goal 1: To promote self sufficiency and housing stability

– 5 job placements: hospitality, retail, human services and construction

– 3 enrolling in college

– 3 enrolling in short term job training

– 2 enrolling in transitional jobs