Services are accessed via TANF, OneStops, career centers, youth programs, public libraries, offender programs, community colleges, and Tribal workforce programs.

Job Seeker Resources

• JobSearch Guides for Adults, Youth and Ex-Offenders
• Online Training for Adult & Youth Job Seekers
• “The Job Interview Simplified" DVD

Online Staff Training

• Online Staff Training & Professional Certification Preparation
• Virginia Workforce Certification Preparation & Business and Employer Services
• Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (AFOP) Certification Preparation Modules

The Tiered Employment Program described above is a replication of a very successful program designed and implemented by EDSI in Philadelphia under a contract with the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation as part of the Greater Philadelphia Works Program. This program is now being implemented in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Delaware County, PA. EDSI implemented a Tiered Employment Program that included interested job seekers, employment development organizations and employers within the region. Employers’ opportunities were classified as Tier I, Tier II or Tier III based upon the position available, the wage, compensation, hours per week and benefits. Employment development organizations were trained in the processes of identifying, classifying and qualifying employers and job seekers for the program.

Low-income older adults volunteer 20 hours a week and earn a non-taxable stipend of $2.55/ hour along with other tangible benefits. The Traveling Grannies and Grandpas provide a variety of services which helps at-risk teens gain greater self-sufficiency and improve their well-being and that of their children.  The program focuses on decreasing the occurrence of abuse, neglect and exploitation of teens and their children; encouraging good health habits; and providing need transportation.

Goodwill employment and training programs are funded by federal, state and local grants, as well as by revenues from its well-known social enterprise -- Goodwill retail stores -- which sell donated clothing and household goods while providing jobs in communities. Nearly 90 Goodwill’s’ participate in national projects focused on: Providing career oriented mentoring services to youth, Employment and training for older workers Green jobs training Services for single mothers, and Virtual career exploration services.

Local Goodwill organizations provide a core set of services, including vocational evaluation and assessment, occupational skills training, job search development and job placement, and transitional employment support (for instance, on-the-job training). Goodwill also offer life skills training and post-employment assistance for both employers and employees. Goodwill tailor their services to meet community needs, so variation exists in services offered. Goodwill prepares people to work in banking, IT and health care sectors, to name a few — and helps   them get the supporting services they needed to be successful, such as English language training, additional education, or access to transportation and child care.

Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island empowers individuals and families, especially immigrants, refugees, and the underserved, to become self-sufficient and fully participating members of the community through innovative programs and advocacy that promote education, training, and cultural understanding.

Here is a list of services provided by Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island: 

• Education
• Citizenship & Immigration
• Refugee Resettlement
• Employment
• Clothing Collaborative
• Translation & Interpretation

The TEA Program is a time-limited assistance program to help needy families with children become more responsible for their own support and less dependent on public assistance.  In addition to monthly cash assistance, employment-related services are provided to parents, including job-readiness activities, transportation assistance, childcare assistance, and other supportive services so that the parent can engage in work or education and training activities.

The purpose of the continued services after the initial job training is to help the employee resolve problems which may arise during the first months of employment such as breakdowns in child care, so that s/he will have better success at retaining the job. The OJT trainer and job coach provider is contracted by the hotel rather than the TANF and Welfare-to-Work (WtW) agency. DHS, though, is requiring that these additional OJT services be provided by the hotel as part of the OJT agreements between DHS and the three hotels. It is hoped that by working directly with the hotels, the trainers should be able to provide more meaningful training, job coaching, and job retention services to the individual TEA recipient.

Mentors join hands with an individual or family for one year, helping them make the very difficult transition to financial stability.  Each mentor provides a broad range of support including budgeting, job preparation, decision making, emotional support, parenting advice and goal setting.  Mentors support a family by helping them set goals and create plans to attain those goals. In addition, mentors provide assistance with problem solving, connection to community resources, decision making, money management, parenting issues, and emotional support. They are closely involved in the lives of their clients.

Financial Literacy: classes help students identify ways to better manage their money, reduce expenses, save for emergencies and improve their self-advocacy skills in a fun and interactive setting. Using the FDIC “Money Smart” curriculum and class role play activities, the students learn basic steps for creating a household budget, choosing and using banking resources, identifying borrowing risks and benefits, improving credit and saving for financial goals. All students receive a “budget box” which is a portable file with tools to help them create a budget and manage their financial records and bills.

Financial Coaching: Pathfinders provides financial coaching to help low and moderate income people attain financial stability. Financial Coaching builds on financial (education/management) skills to address personal needs for improving financial behaviors. Each client-driven session is led by a volunteer Coach with training in budgeting, banking and borrowing, and credit.