U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, Improving Access to Mainstream Services for People Experiencing Homelessness: Focus on Homeless Families with Children, Radisson Miami Hotel, Miami, Florida, January 27-29, 2004

 

Slide 1:

U.S. Department of Labor

Mainstream & Targeted Programs for Homeless Assistance

Slide 2:

Department of Labor –Putting America to Work

  • “Getting people back to work is what this Department does. Giving people hope in their future is our job.”             — Secretary of Lobor, Elaine Chao
  • Department of Labor services are crucial components of any plan seeking to address the cycle of homelessness.
  • DOL offers a variety of employment related programs – both mainstream and targeted -- that can help in preventing homelessness and provide workforce assistance to individuals who are homeless.

Slide 3:

This slide shows an organizational chart of the U.S. Department of Labor. The levels from top to bottom are as follows:

  • Level 1
    • Office of the Secretary of Labor
    • Office of the 21st Century Workforce
  • Level 2
    • Office of Disability Employment Policy
    • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    • Mine Safety and Health Administration
    • Employee Benefits Security Administration
    • Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
  • Level 3
    • Employment and Training Administration
    • Women's Bureau
    • Veterans' Employment and Training Service
    • Bureau of International Labor Affairs
    • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy
    • Employment Standards Administration
  • Level 4
    • Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
    • Office of Administration and Management and Chief Information Officer
    • Office of the Chief Financial Officer
    • Office of the Solicitor
    • Office of the Inspector General
    • Office of Public Affairs
    • Office of Small Business Programs

Slide 4:

Eliminating Chronic Homelessness

  • National Strategy Themes
    • Continued Development of Collaborative Initiatives
    • Prevention
    • Intervention
    • Research
    • Innovative, Performance-based Solutions
    • Accessing available mainstream resources

Slide 5:

Programs and Services

Mainstream

  • Workforce Investment System/One-stop Career Centers

Slide 6:

Programs and Services

Targeted

  • Job Corps Foster Care Initiative
  • Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Project
  • Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program
  • Veterans Workforce Investment Program
  • Serious and Violent Offenders Reentry Program
  • Ending Chronic Homelessness Through Employment & Housing
  • Ready 4 Work

Slide 7:

Workforce Investment Act

  • Workforce Investment Act of 1998
  • Consolidated numerous training and employment programs
  • Implemented July 2000
  • Mandates creation of One-Stop Career Centers to provide job seekers and employers local access to national services
  • Customers can connect to federal, state, and local programs for job training, employment, labor market information, and supportive services
  • Coordinated services are available to all customers, including homeless persons

Slide 8:

WIA Key Principles

  • Streamlining Services
  • Empowering Individuals
  • Universal Access
  • Increased Accountability
  • Strong Role for Local Boards & Private Sector
  • State and Local Flexibility
  • Improved Youth Programs

Slide 9:

One-Stop Governance

  • Business-led State and local Workforce Investment Boards oversee delivery system
  • The Governor with the State WIB designates local workforce investment areas and determines local funding allocations
  • The local WIB charters at least one comprehensive (all partners represented) One-Stop Career Center in its service area

Slide 10:

Mandatory One-Stop Partners

  • Adult, Dislocated Worker & Youth Activities
  • Employment Service
  • Adult Education
  • Post-Secondary Vocational Education
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Welfare-to-Work
  • Title V of the Older Americans Act
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance
  • Veterans Employment and Training Programs
  • Community Services Block Grant
  • HUD Employment and Training Activities
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Apprenticeship
  • Job Corps

Slide 11:

One-Stop Service Options

  • Self Service
    • Internet – electronic tools
    • Self-Service in Center – resource room
  • Core Services
    • Eligibility Determination
    • Initial Assessment
    • Job Search
    • Resume Writing
    • Interviewing Skills
    • Labor Market Information
  • Intensive Services
    • Comprehensive Assessments
    • Individual Employment Plans
    • Job Clubs
    • Case Management
    • Prevocational Services
  • Training Services
    • Individual Training Accounts
    • On-the-Job Training
    • Customized Training

Slide 12:

Particularities of One-Stop System

  • Different entities can be operators
    • Postsec.-ed. institutions, ES agency, non-profits, government agency, for profits
  • Satellite and comprehensive One-Stops
  • Mandatory and non-mandatory partners
  • Many partner programs not entitlement programs – funds can be exhausted

-> Result – no two One-Stops are alike

Slide 13:

Employment Service

  • Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933
    • Set up the public labor exchange system
  • As amended by WIA – can fund:
    • Labor Market Information
    • Infrastructure
      • Computers
      • Electronic Tools
    • Core services
      • Job referral
      • Job search clubs
      • assessments

Slide 14:

Electronic Tools/Toll-free Help Line

Slide 15:

Adults & Dislocated Workers and Trade Adjustment Assistance

  • Adults & Dislocated Workers
    • Intensive & Training Services
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance
    • Benefits for workers dislocated by increased imports to the United States
      • Training
      • Income support while in training
      • Job search allowances
      • Relocation allowances

Slide 16:

Youth Programs/Activities

  • Tutoring and Study Skills Training
  • Alternative Secondary School Services
  • Summer Employment Opportunities
  • Paid and Unpaid Work Experiences
  • Internships and Job Shadowing
  • Leadership Development Opportunities
  • Supportive Services
  • Adult Mentoring
  • Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling

Slide 17:

Some Funding Information

  • ES & WIA Title I funds allocated to States on formula basis; States allocate to local areas
  • WIA Title I: 3 funding streams
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Dislocated Workers

Slide 18:

WIA Title I Funding

  • Adults/Youth monies
    • 85% to local areas
    • 15% for statewide activities
  • Dislocated Workers
    • 20% reserved for Secretary of Labor
    • Of remainder
      • 60% to local areas
      • 25% for statewide rapid response
      • 15% for statewide activities
        • Statewide 15% amounts may be merged to increase services to adults, youth, or dislocated workers

Slide 19:

Job Corps

  • Residential education and training program for disadvantaged youth
  • Provides full-time, year-round comprehensive academic and vocational training and support services
  • Eligibility:
    • between 16 -24 years old
    • economically disadvantaged

Slide 20:

Job Corps Homeless and Foster Care Youth Initiative

  • Homeless and Foster Care Youth have always been part of the eligible population for Job Corps. In July 2002, the National Office of Job Corps began to explore ways in which the Job Corps system could improve access for this important population, through:
    • Improved Tracking
    • Targeted outreach and admissions effort
    • Strengthening the direct referral system

Slide 21:

Veterans’ Employment and Training

  • Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists
    • develop job and training opportunities for veterans with service-connected disabilities
  • Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERs)
    • provision of employment services to veterans
    • monitor job listings for veterans’ priority of service referrals
      • federal contracting jobs
      • federal department and agency vacancies
    • With VA, aid veterans needing work-specific aids improve their employability
    • Community outreach to ensure eligible veterans get services to which they are entitled

Slide 22:

Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program

  • Competitive and Discretionary Grants
    • Awarded to State Governors
    • Two-Year Funding let in even years
  • Priority Consideration
    • Unique and innovative occupational training or research that leads to the employment of targeted groups of eligible veterans

    (P.L. 105-220, Workforce Investment Act)

Slide 23:

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)

  • Purpose
    • Stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems to assist homeless veterans in obtaining and retaining meaningful employment
    • Enhance veterans’ employment opportunities by linking employment services with veteran-focused services, programs and organizations

    (P.L. 107-95, Title 38, Ch 20, Sect. 2021)

Slide 24:

HVRP Program Design

  • Competitive Grants
    • Awarded Annually
    • Three Competitions: Urban, Non-Urban, New Grantees
  • Measured Performance Outcomes
    • Number of homeless veterans enrolled
    • Percentage of enrolled who enter employment
    • 6 month employment retention
    • Wage at Placement

Slide 25:

Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program

  • Discretionary Grants and Pilots
    • Targets veterans previously incarcerated and near-release, to reduce unemployment, recidivism and homelessness
    • Six Demonstration Projects
    • Partnership with DVA for referral and counseling services
    • Provide Assistance 18 Months prior to release.
    • Create a comprehensive support matrix among partnering agencies

(Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001, Sec. 2020)

Slide 26:

Office of Disability Employment Policy

  • ODEP Initiatives
    • Research, Development, & Economic Analysis of Policy
    • Promotion of Effective Practices
    • Innovative Grants, Contracts, & Collaborative Agreements
    • National Centers on Workforce and Disability (Adults/Youth)
    • JAN Job Accommodation Network
  • EARN – Employee Assistance Referral Network

(Established December, 2000)

Slide 27:

Ready 4 Work -- CFBCI

  • A Business, Faith, Community and Criminal Justice Partnership
    • To employ and retain job-ready ex-offenders.
    • To reduce recidivism
    • Leverage community resources to provide long-term care / mentoring
    • Capture and share best practices concerning community partnerships

Slide 28:

Ready 4 Work Program Chart

Criminal Justice
(Offender Referral)

Correctional Institutions
Corrections Officials
Probation
Parole
Chaplains
Community Supervision
Arrow pointing to the right and the left.
FBO/CBO
Mentoring
Job Training
Skill Development
Support Services
Arrow pointing to the right and the left.
Businesses
(Occupational Groups)


Culinary Skills
Skilled Professionals
Administrative/Clerical
Laborer/Gen. Services
Juvenile Employment
Contracting

 

Slide 29:

Learn about One-Stop system

  • Learn about the system at: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/
    • WIA background information
    • State resources
    • Reauthorization information
    • List serve for news & funding updates
    • Access to advisories & memorandums
    • Performance information
    • And much more!!!

Slide 30:

Linking to One-Stop system

Slide 31:

Recap of Some Helpful Websites

http://www.dol.gov
http://www.dol.gov/elaws/evets.htm
http://www.doleta.gov
http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/
http://www.dol.gov/odep/
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/

Slide 32:

Increase Access to Mainstream Resources

  • Increase Access to the Workforce Investment System
    • Principle of universal access
    • Satellite One-Stop for the homeless
    • Include strategy in State or local plans
    • WIA performance measures
    • Ending chronic homelessness through employment and housing grants

Slide 33

Develop a Comprehensive Statewide Homelessness Prevention Strategy

  • Foster care youth
  • Veterans
  • Discharge strategy
    • Re-entry from prison
    • Re-entry from treatment

Slide 34

Foster Care Youth

  • What does the state do for young people aging out of the foster care system?
  • Job corps foster care youth initiative

Slide 35

Discharge Strategies

  • How does the state prepare individuals making transitions from institutions back into society?
  • Re-entry from prison
    • Ready 4 Work
    • Serious and Violent Offender Re-entry Initiative
    • Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program

Slide 36

Veterans

  • DVOPs and LVERS
  • Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program

INTERVENTION

  • WIA
  • Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program