Employment Strategies for Rapid Re-Housing Liza Burell, Building Changes
RRH and Employment Families need a job now and a plan for their future: Address employment from the beginning Understand and connect to mainstream workforce system for ongoing career development Identify opportunities to pair RRH with short term employment strategies 2
Four Strategies Vocationalizing Housing and Employment Navigator Transitional Employment Short-term Sector Training 3
Strategy: Vocationalizing Integrating an employment lens and/or services within housing and case management services, so that homeless housing staff know how to engage, prepare and connect families with workforce providers and employment opportunities. make the connection between housing stability skills and employability or soft skills; they are the same skills that employers seek. 4
How to: Vocationalizing Employment is incorporated into intakes, assessments and services plans Housing agency staff learn about area employment services to make effective referrals Housing agencies partner with local employment services to support recruitment and coordinated case planning Housing agencies have their own job readiness and/or training opportunities, classes and workshops 5
Strategy: Housing and Employment Navigator The Navigator Approach: Cross system (housing, workforce, TANF, other) partnerships and services coordination; builds on housing services, resources an expertise The Navigator Model: A navigator (dedicated staff) is employed by workforce agency and convenes a cross system team. The navigator works as a connector between workforce and homeless housing and may enhance and customize those services for clients. 6
Housing and Employment Navigator in WA State Navigator Approach throughout Washington State through the Ending Family Homelessness Program Navigator Model in 5 counties through the DOL/WIF Research Project and King County RRH Employment Navigator Project 7
How to: Navigator Partnership 8
Strategy: Transitional Employment Short-term placement at a work site which combines paid work, job skills training and supportive services to help people facing barriers to employment (i.e. homelessness, conviction history, lack of employment history). Provides references and new skills (resume boost) Can lead directly to employment (intent to hire) Employers benefit/employees benefit 9
How to: Transitional Employment Provided by employment services agencies (One-Stops, TANF agencies, government agencies and CBOs) Work experiences/paid internships On-the-job training Participants earn wages, usually work part time so they can work on basic skills, job search, barrier removal and receive job coaching Requires active job development 10
Strategy: Short-term Sector Training Short-term training in an occupation. Students learn skills for a specific industry and earn an employer recognized credential. Often part of a longer career pathway Match RRH timeline Area employers may be involved in curriculum development and/or candidate selection 11
How to: Short-term Sector Training Find local sector training opportunities: community colleges Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) community based agencies Employers Recruitment support, prepare participants May include a cohort design to boost peer support, job placement and career coaching 12
Retention and Career Planning Career Advancement: Community and vocational technical colleges One Stops /WIA services Financial Planning: Benefits Planning: wages benefits Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Asset Development 13
Thank you Liza Burell Liza.burell@buildingchanges.org (206) 805-6143 14