U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Improving Access to Mainstream Services for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness, Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois, May 20-22, 2003

 

Slide 1:

U.S. Department of Labor

Resources for Homeless Assistance

Slide 2:

Putting America to Work

  • Department of Labor services are crucial components of any plan seeking to address the cycle of homelessness.
  • DOL job training, placement and assistance programs, attuned to 21st century business and workforce demands, provide immediate assistance reinforced by deliberate preventative efforts.

Slide 3:

Department of Labor

  • “Getting people back to work is what this Department does. Giving people hope in their future is our job.” - Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao
  • DOL’s Strategic Goals
    • A Prepared Workforce
    • A Secure Workforce
    • A Quality Workplace
    • A Competitive Workforce (FY 04)

Slide 4:

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 5:

Ending the cycle of Chronic Homelessness

  • National Strategy
    • Continued Development of Collaborative Initiatives
    • Eliminating Chronic Homelessness
    • Prevention
    • Intervention
    • Research
    • Innovation based on Performance Outcomes
    • Accessing available mainstream resources

Slide 6:

Programs and Services addressing at-risk populations

  • Workforce Investment Act/One Stop Career Centers
  • Office of Disability Employment Policy
  • Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Project
  • Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program
  • Ready 4 Work
  • Job Corps Foster Care Initiative

Slide 7:

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.
  • Improved Tracking
  • Targeted outreach and admissions effort
  • Strengthening the direct referral system

Slide 8:

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

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

Slide 9:

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 10:

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.

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

Slide 11:

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.

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

Slide 12:

Ready 4 Work

  • 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 13:

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 14:

Office of Disability Employment Policy

  • Chronic Homelessness and Disability
  • 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

(Established December, 2000)

Slide 15:

One-Stop Career Centers

  • One-Stop Career Centers 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 homeless persons

Slide 16:

One-Stop Career Centers

  • Services include - but are not limited to–
  • Job Search Assistance
  • Labor Market Information
  • Assessment
  • Training
  • Supportive Services
  • Access to One Stop partner services, such as:
    • Adult Basic Education
    • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit Application Assistance

Slide 17:

One-Stop Service Options

  • Self Service
    • Internet – electronic tools
    • Self-Service in Center – resource room
  • Core Services
    • Eligibility Determination
    • Outreach
    • Intake
    • Assessment
    • Job Search and Placement Assistance
    • Follow-up Services
  • Intensive Services
    • Comprehensive and Specialized Assessments
    • Individual Career Planning
    • Group Counseling
    • Case Management
  • Prevocational Services
    • Training Services
    • On-the-Job Training
    • Skill Upgrading
    • Cooperative Education
    • Customized Training

Slide 18:

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 One-Stop Career Center in its service area

Slide 19:

WIA Title I Funding

  • Funds allocated to States on formula basis; States allocate to local areas
  • 3 funding streams
    • Adults
    • Youth
    • Dislocated Workers

Slide 20:

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 21:

Elements for Strategic Planning

  • Link with state and local workforce investment boards
  • Partner with One Stop Career Centers and related grants and programs within your state
  • Educate homeless service providers on where and how to access public workforce investment system and related resources

Slide 22:

Online Resources

Slide 23:

Additional Resources

1-877 US2-JOBS – provides up-to-date information about full range of workforce services for workers and businesses, as well as answers to employment and training questions

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
http://www.ich.gov/