Source and Contact: Michael
Switzer
On November 10, 2003, I sent out the following "dragnet" inquiry
to the 24 Regional Workforce Boards (RWBs) and other workforce
services providers and partners around the state.
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[ORIGINAL 11/10/03 MESSAGE] This is a general dragnet inquiry/ISO
for any examples/models of consistently effective programs,
staffers, or best practices that have been helping ex-offenders
get jobs, especially in a One-Stop environment. This issue
continues to arise repeatedly in multiple contexts, the state-level
agreement between the Department of Corrections and workforce,
FBO-CBO linkages, related Homelessness initiatives, and multiple
forms of local partnerships. We also realize that elimination
of certain supports/funding that previously helped with this
effort (e.g. the old Corrections/DLES "401" contract,
the Legislative cut-back in the Corrections Transition Program,
elimination of the Corrections Education Program) have caused
some formerly effective programs and staffing priorities
to shift or fade.
What we are looking for is anything or anyone that is currently
working well in serving this niche population even after
the loss of funding/supports outlined above, with the intention
of passing the good word, and possibly finding ways to provide
more support and replication of any such best practices.
Let us know what you have going. And if you want to add
more specific questions to this inquiry, jump right in.
So far I have received several excellent replies from the
following regions. Several also provided very useful attachments
and summaries that I am not including in this email to avoid
jamming inboxes of those who do not want/need the attachments,
but you can get them from me or the original sources by asking
us specifically for what you want. Also note that last week
the Workforce Florida’s One-Stop Committee announced
that it is focusing on insuring services to ex-offenders
at One-Stops along with all other universal customers, also
working with other WFI Councils/Committees addressing adult
and juvenile offender workforce/employment issues. As a result
of the structural/programmatic changes at the Department
of Corrections (DOC) and what we are learning from what is
currently working in the RWBs, we will also review the current
Partnership Agreement between WFI/AWI and DOC to see how
that can be improved/modified to stimulate/support such effective
services as those described below [and anyone wanting a current
copy of the WFI/AWI/DOC Partnership Agreement can just ask,
and I will send an electronic copy] We may also want to develop
a similar Partnership Agreement with the Department of Juvenile
Justice, particularly now that Secretary Bankhead has joined
the WFI Board. We also still welcome additional descriptions
of currently effective programs, "Best Practices," etc.
that can be added to this list and shared with partners.
Also feel free to pass this along to partners/colleagues
who might be interested and could use this information.
Replies to-date from RWBs are as follows:
REGION 18, SARASOTA/MANATEE
Region 18 is currently struggling to keep the offender services
we started under JORP [Juvenile Offender Readiness Program,
originally funded by WFI as a pilot] afloat. We have one
staff, and are currently only providing core services to
17-25 year olds in north Sarasota County. I am attaching
two brief project summaries and demographics. [Available
from WFI or RWB 18 upon request]. Obviously, we would like
to be able to add back two to three staff and client support
dollars. With additional staff, we would expand our age group.
This customer group is hard to coral, and requires close
work with justice, education and law enforcement.
After you review the brief info., please forward any additional
questions and we'll get answers right back.
Thanks for asking!
Leslie Loveless
Contract Administrator, RWB 18
REGION 9, ALACHUA/BRADFORD
In a nutshell, we work on informing employers and ex felons
about the bonding process. We have started an employer book
that identifies employers hiring practices - do they hire
people with criminal histories, what type of background can
a person have. We discuss background issues - how to complete
applications, interview and deal with "tricky" questions
regarding backgrounds. We also refer to Three Rivers [Legal
Services] and have Three Rivers staff come to our classes
periodically to address issues. For the most part mentors
work individually with those who have backgrounds. Hope this
helps if you need further elaboration let me know.
Rebecca Weir, Santa Fe Community College
REGION 22, BROWARD
Mike: Please see info below. We have also found videotaping
of mock job interviews to be helpful with ex-offenders. Sometimes
they unconsciously project a chip on their shoulders or defensiveness.
They can often see it themselves on video tape without commentary
from a counselor. It is a great self correction mechanism.
These are OIC's outcomes for last year [OIC IS A CBO/SERVICE
PROVIDER OPERATING UNDER A WORKFORCE CONTRACT IN BROWARD
COUNTY]:
28 out of 40 enrollments placed (70%) at an average wage
of $8.85 per hour. Cost per placement: $4416.76. Retentions
are still being verified.
We have also done the following:
formed solid partnerships with BSO Department of Community
Control so that individuals have points of contacts in the
One Stops when they are referred over ;
Melanie G. and Anita have done workshops at the Department of Corrections
on job readiness, self-esteem building and resources available in the
community ,
we actively partnered with the County in the Ladders to Success Conference
Event for ex-offenders
have formed a solid working relationship with Broward Outreach Center,
which serves many homeless individuals that are ex-offenders
contracted with LES, Inc. for a pre-apprenticeship program that served
approximately 60-70% ex-offenders ( 65% placements, average wage of
$8.77 per hour) - Retentions are still being verified.
Mason Jackson, Executive Director, RWB 22
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REGION 23, DADE/MONROE
Harriet Spivak asked me to respond to you. In Region 23,
Transition, Inc. is contracted with South Florida Workforce
to operate a specialized Offender Services Center. Because
Miami-Dade County has such a high number of ex-offenders
release from the state prison system into this area, and
because we have the fifth largest jail system in the country,
our Workforce Development Board has recognized the importance
of funding a special Center to assist ex-offenders to overcome
the barrier to employment of a criminal record. Transition,
Inc. has been doing this work in South Florida for over 32
years. We have a database of over 2,700 employers, all of
whom have hired at least one of our ex-offender clients and
many of whom hire exclusively from us. We also have specialized
training to prepare ex-offenders for the workplace, as well
as providing an array of services, including basic necessities
such as food, shelter, and clothing during job search. Attached
please find a Fact Sheet on our organization. [AVAILABLE
UPON REQUEST] If you need any additional information, please
feel free to contact me at 305/ 374-1987.
- John Andrews
Executive Director
Transition, Inc
