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November 5, 2008 DOL Home > CFBCI > SHARE Network: Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers |
SHARE Network: Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers Learn More about SHARE Network and How Your Local Area Can Get Involved Introduction Since the Faith-Based and Community Initiative began in 2001, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has developed strategies that enable the One- Stop Career Center system to partner with faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) to better serve Americans in need. Over the past five years, DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has invested more than $44 million in pilot grants to increase "universal access" to the One- Stop system and engage FBCOs as committed and active partners in the workforce investment system. Two pilot grants in 2002 produced important innovations enabling the One-Stop Career Center system to draw more effectively upon the unique strengths of local FBCOs. Job Service North Dakota's (JSND) Web-based Resource Directory enables referral of job-seekers to social services across the state that can help them obtain, retain, or advance in employment. In Florida, the United Way of Brevard (UWB) partnered with the Brevard Workforce Board to place "Access Points" in FBCOs in targeted low-income communities. Together, they trained the local FBCOs to help individuals conduct online job searches and use the One-Stop Center's virtual job search tools. These two innovations were combined in 2005 when DOL launched the Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers (SHARE) Network to help states implement both "Access Points" and Web-based Resource Directory projects to expand access to workforce development services. Since 2005, DOL has trained local areas North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, New Mexico, Delaware, Tennessee, Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Iowa and Virginia to replicate one or both of these practices and most are demonstrating successful implementation. The Department of Labor helped states replicate the SHARE Network strategies by providing training and coaching through its SHARE Network contractors as well as a free Web-based Resource Directory to those areas that wanted one. Some areas chose to replicate Web-based Resource Directory and Access Points strategies and other areas choose to replicate one or the other. During 2008, the Department of Labor will provide both in-person and virtual training to help additional One-Stop Career Centers replicate the Access Point model and, in some cases, Online Resource Directories. Access Point Summary Each FBCO that serves as an Access Point designates a volunteer or staff member to serve as a Point of Contact (POC) for the local One-Stop. The POCs are then trained by workforce system staff. The POCs help customers search for jobs using the Web-based job matching system and talent bank and make appropriate referrals to the One-Stop. POCs are also tasked with building closer working relationships with One-Stop staff to ensure that Access Point customers receive the full range of services they need to be job-ready. The POCs do not receive funding from the One-Stop system to provide Access Point services. Value of SHARE Network Access Points: Why are state and local leaders choosing to create Access Points?
Areas Implementing SHARE Network Access Points Many local areas in NC, MO, MI, KS, DE, VA, AR, IA, MS, and IN as well as Buffalo, New York and Columbia, SC are replicating the Access Point model. If you are in this state and would like to make a connection to the Access Point project, please contact your local Workforce Investment Board or One-Stop Career Center (www.servicelocator.org) or email contact-cfbci@dol.gov with the subject line "Access Point Request" before September 30, 2008. Value of SHARE Network Resource Directory: Why are states and local leaders choosing to replicate the Webbased Resource Directory?
States implementing SHARE Network Resource Directory:
Note: The District of Columbia and Columbia, South Carolina will also roll out Resource Directory in 2008. Please email contact-cfbci@dol.gov for details. |
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