Program Description

Program/Practice Description: Step Industries, Inc. provides transitional employment to men and women who are recovering from substance-related addiction. They work with employers to tailor job readiness activities to best fit the needs of the employees. Since 1982, Step Industries has hired over 6,000 recovering people, ranging in age from 16 to 77 years. In 2006, 252 recovering people were hired. At any time, the total number of employees fluctuates between 100 and 130 recovering people, with an average of 60 people on the waiting list. Although a nonprofit organization, Step Industries is almost wholly financed through the sale of its packaging and assembly services; in 2006, only two percent of its $4 million budget came from grant funds.

Employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, from experienced professionals to those who have never had a job. At Step Industries, past negative work records are disregarded; the company will hire applicants who have at least 2 to 4 weeks "clean time" and evidence of a support system. Most applicants come from halfway houses or treatment centers, referrals from probation officers, or from word of mouth within self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Fifteen percent of applicants are former employees in need of another opportunity. At Step Industries, the average length of employment is 5 months, with an average hourly wage of $7.00 $8.50. When measured upon exit, half of program participants were successful in securing a job, returning to school, or completing treatment and moving back to their home area.

Background/Program History: Step Industries was the idea of an executive of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, himself in recovery, after learning that unemployment was often a problem for recovering people, especially for those new to a sober way of life. The solution was to bring together this ready and able workforce with labor-intensive projects from Kimberly-Clark and other companies. Step Industries opened for business with eight employees in the fall of 1982 in Neenah, Wisconsin, and expanded to Milwaukee in 1998.

Innovations and Results: Step Industries is unique because it promotes a balance of supporting employees while exposing them to the demands of employment in a realistic environment. The recovery atmosphere ensures that employees focus first and foremost on staying clean, knowing that if they do not, their chances of success in all other areas of their lives diminish. All operations staff are recovering addicts who have been through the program. This familiarity with the issues the employees face gives them more credibility and greater empathy.

Operations: The day starts at 6:00 a.m. when the crew gets together for a huddle. This allows the employees to share what is going on in their own lives as they work toward staying clean and becoming self-sufficient. The huddles provide employees with an outlet for communication, as well as motivation to continue throughout the day. Reinforcing the recovery atmosphere, the emphasis is on attending self-help meetings and relying on the support networks both within Step Industries and the employees' own lives. Clean time is celebrated and a Relapse Prevention Plan is designed by each employee to help them succeed. However, those who relapse may be removed from the program until they are able to remain drug-free and alcohol-free.

There are two stages to the program - foundation and transition. Foundation lasts for the first 1 to 3 months, and focuses on the basics of attendance, quality, productivity, and cooperation. Clients rotate from task to task to expand their skills. They also are evaluated regularly and encouraged to set simple short-term goals, as well as more long-term ambitions. Transition occurs when the employee is ready. They receive help with the application and interview process, coaching, and job leads. They also receive time off for a job search. In the past, Step Industries provided additional assistance; however, they found that clients were not taking ownership over their recovery or their job prospects. Now employees are directed to other agencies if they need additional job search assistance. Step Industries will, however, put its "stamp of approval" on employees, connecting them to opportunities with employment partners. Importantly, employees still need to get the job on their own.