Program Description

Program/Practice Description: DWDD, a Michigan Works! agency, provides job seekers with training and employment opportunities to become economically self-sufficient and provides qualified workers to local employers. Partnerships with businesses, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to provide employment, training, and education services enabled DWDD to implement the Work First program. The Work First program concentrated on removing barriers to employment and transitioning participants directly into jobs. As of October 1, 2007, the Work First program was replaced with the JET program. The focus of the JET program is to continue to assist participants with the removal of barriers while conducting in-depth assessments to determine the best path for individuals to reach economic self-sufficiency. The end result is employment; however, emphasis is placed on a career path along with evaluating a participant's education level and past work experience, as well as life experiences.

Background/Program History: DWDD was established in 1975 to plan and implement federally funded job training programs for Detroit area residents. DWDD was responsible for administering employment and training services to laid-off workers and low-income youth and adults. Today, the employment and training services are provided by DWDD's partners, subcontractors, and service providers.

Innovations and Results: The Work First program has been Detroit's most successful welfare reform effort, resulting in economic independence for thousands of residents. The program has a detailed intake process to ensure participant needs are met. Initially, the positive outcome was a job held for 90 days. Now the focus is on economic self-sufficiency.

Operations: When residents come to the program, an Individual Service Strategy is developed with their DWDD case manager. This is an investigation of the barriers to employment, determining what the goal is, and how to achieve it. Residents also complete a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan with their Department of Human Services case worker.

The Work First/JET program provides numerous services, including job search, job readiness training, vocational skills training, classroom training, GED preparation, and remediation. The focus is on high skill and high demand occupations for the Detroit area. DWDD has two career centers that focus on hospitality/sales and health care. On-the-job training is minimal; there is no subsidized employment.

An individual who does not participate in any part of the program will be offered a triage meeting with all the partners to explain their non-participation and seek solutions to get back in the program.

Funding: The majority of the funding comes from the State. DWDD has an operations division that is responsible for obtaining grants and has secured grants through the United Way. There also is a foster youth grant for 18-year-old individuals to help them find clothing, jobs, training, skills, and sustainable housing.

Staff Training: Since the Work First/JET program is dependent on service providers, they are the focus of the training. Fiscal program responsibilities, data tracking, and policies related to the program are covered in the training. In-service training is done quarterly. There is hands-on training in the use of required forms and other important programming areas. New service providers shadow another service provider for 1 month prior to commencing the program.

DWDD consistently monitors service providers to ensure they are implementing the program correctly. This includes monthly reports and data validation. Service providers who are performing well receive certificates of achievement from DWDD.

Important Partnerships: The JET program is made possible through the partnership of DWDD, the Department of Human Services, and Michigan Rehabilitation Services.