Lessons from the Implementation of Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP)

Record Description
An MDRC infographic provides initial findings of the Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) initiative, which targets youth ages 15-25 who have been involved in the child welfare and justice systems, or who are homeless. The infographic identifies components of two established national programs – Jobs for America’s Graduates and the Jobs for the Future Back on Track – and the LEAP enhancements for case management and training that are offered locally to support youth in employment and postsecondary educational opportunities.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-08-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.mdrc.org/publication/lessons-implementation-learn-and-earn-achieve-…
Publication Date
2018-09-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Responding to the Employment and Training Needs of SNAP Participants Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Instability

Record Description
This U.S. Department of Agriculture policy brief outlines the employment and training barriers faced by SNAP participants experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The brief also illustrates models of effective employment and training services supported by SNAP programming. Other discussion centers on how SNAP E&T programs can work in partnership with public housing and homeless assistance programs, citing collaboration between Massachusetts’ SNAP Path to Work and the Secure Jobs Program as an example.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-07-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://snaptoskills.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2018-08/Brief9_July2018_F…
Publication Date
2018-08-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Employer Connections with TANF: CVS Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Record Description
A webinar was held on February 27, 2018 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. to discuss the CVS Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program, which offers a free pathway for TANF recipients to complete pharmacy technician training and certification while being paid. A link to contact information by state for the CVS Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program is included.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-02-27T09:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/content/cvs-health-workforce-initiatives-contact-inf…
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Employer Connections with TANF: CVS Health Pharmacy Tech Training Prog PPT 4.39 MB
Employer Connections with TANF: CVS Health Pharmacy Tech Training Prog Audio 39.38 MB

Helping Young People Move Up: Findings from Three New Studies of Youth Employment Programs

Record Description
This MDRC policy brief identifies the positive earnings and employment outcomes of three programs designed to support upward mobility in youth: YouthBuild, Year Up, and New York City’s Young Adult Internship Program. In particular, a key finding from evaluating these programs is that a systems approach is needed to help young people navigate these programs and address their tailored needs.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2018-10-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.mdrc.org/publication/helping-young-people-move
Publication Date
2018-11-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Call for Applications: SNAP to Skills E&T State Institutes

Record Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to Skills Project (S2S) provides states with technical assistance to help them build employer-driven SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs. FNS will offer a new opportunity in 2019 geared toward State SNAP agencies interested in advancing an aspect of their SNAP E&T program, even if they are not one of the 10 states participating in S2S. This Call for Applications provides information on how interested State SNAP agencies can apply for the 2019 SNAP E&T State Institutes. Letters of interest should be submitted to the SNAP to Skills Project by 5 p.m. ET on January 7, 2019.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2018-11-30T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2018-12-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

CareerWise Colorado: A Modern Youth Apprenticeship Model

Record Description
In this podcast, the current chief executive officer and the former president of CareerWise Colorado discuss this career and technical education apprenticeship program for high school students. By targeting youth, the program’s innovative model helps students explore careers and build skills from a young age. Under the paid apprenticeship program, students work two days a week to apply what they learn in the classroom during the other three days, which emphasizes the connection between classroom learning and real-world employment. Students leave the program with skills, income, and credentials that can be applied to higher education. Other topics discussed include recruitment, demographics, retention, transferable skills, and future program plans.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2018-09-30T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.mdrc.org/podcast/careerwise-colorado-modern-youth-apprenticeship-mo…
Publication Date
2018-10-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Opportunity America: Work, Skills, Community

Record Description
The analysis of this report, prepared by a study group of researchers from the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute, has two key parts: it identifies individuals who constitute the working class by location, educational attainment level, types of work held, levels of homeownership, and labor force participation; and it presents solutions drawn from working models for job creation, increased wages, and increasing community engagement.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2018-10-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
http://opportunityamericaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/WCG-final_web.pdf
Publication Date
2018-11-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Promising Workforce Strategies from Across the Reimagine Retail Network

Record Description
This Aspen Institute blog draws from the initial findings of its Reimagine Retail project, which examines strategies to improve retail jobs and identifies career pathways in this industry sector. A discussion of the partnership between family-owned grocer Pete’s Fresh Market and Instituto del Progreso Latino highlights the outcomes of these strategies, as well as relationship building between workforce organizations and business and the changes that have been made among workplace practices or training to support this type of partnership.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-11-26T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/promising-workforce-strategies-across…
Publication Date
2018-11-27
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

NAWB and Innovate+Educate Launch Family Centered Employment Community of Practice

Record Description
The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and Innovate+Educate invite workforce development boards wanting to learn about and integrate two-generation or family-centered approaches into their workforce development services to participate in the Family Centered Employment Community of Practice (FCE CoP). Through the FCE CoP, participating workforce development boards can: learn about family-centered employment strategies, share information and tools, determine strategies on collecting and using data and on leveraging resources to support a whole family approach, and learn how policy affects serving the whole family. Deadline for applications is December 20, 2018, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-11-30T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/dc0a626e/files/uploaded/2018%20FCE%20Commun…
Publication Date
2018-12-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Innovative Programs

UTEC Social Enterprise Employment for Proven-Risk Young Adults

Mission/Goal of Program

UTEC’s mission and promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged young people to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC measures the social and economic success of its mission through Reduced Recidivism, Increased Employability, and Increased Educational Attainment. Founded in 1999 in response to gang violence in Lowell, MA. They serve older youth (ages 17-25) from Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill, MA who have histories of incarceration or serious gang involvement. UTEC is nationally recognized as a model agency serving justice-involved young adults.

UTEC offers paid work experience in social enterprises as part of a holistic model for impact young adults. When impact young adults succeed, our communities see the greatest positive impact on public safety, public health, and economic development. The long-term recidivism rate for UTEC young adults averages less than 20%, compared with a statewide average above 50%.

Programs/Services Offered

The program includes a variety of programs:

  • Street outreach and correctional facility in-reach; gang peacemaking
  • Paid work experience in UTEC social enterprises: Mattress Recycling, Food Services, and Woodworking
  • Earn certifications including OSHA and ServSafe option
  • Intensive wraparound supports throughout the self-paced program, with average enrollment of 18-24 months
  • Integrated education for HiSET/GED attainment and dual-enrollment options
  • 2Gen programming with co-located early education center and family engagement activities
  • Social justice and civic engagement embedded throughout the model
  • Transition to external employment and 2 years of follow-up services

In FY18, UTEC served 148 young adults in their intensive enrollment program, and nearly 600 total including Streetworker outreach and engagement. Of enrolled young adults, 94% had a criminal record; 66% lacked a high school credential; and 52% were expecting/parenting. Despite these barriers, young adults achieved:

  • 97% had no new convictions or technical violations;
  • 88% had no new arrests or technical violations;
  • 63% received an industry-recognized certification.

Outcomes for young adults included (FY17):

  • 99% of UTEC enrolled young people had no new convictions;
  • 90% of UTEC enrolled young people had no new arrests;
  • 32% of young people who attended HiSET classes earned their credential this year.

Of participants who completed programming 2 years ago:

  • 94% had no new arrests since leaving UTEC;
  • 78% are currently employed and/or enrolled in post-secondary education.
Start Date
Friday, January 1, 1999
Type of Agency/Organization
Community-Based Organization
City
Lowell
State
Massachusetts
Geographic Reach
Multisite
Clientele/Population Served
Young adults ages 17-25 with histories of serious criminal and/or gang involvement
Topics/Subtopics
Employment
Education and Training
Supportive Services
Special Populations
Incarcerated and Individuals with a Criminal Record
Youth in Transition
URL
https://utecinc.org/