Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

1. Ready, Willing & Able Pathways A Transitional Employment Program for Recently Released Men and Women Nadia Sadloski, Program Director

2. Presentation overview US DOL Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) RFP/Program Summary Benefits of Transitional Employment Organizational Overviews The Doe Fund History and RWA Program Summary The Doe Fund’s ETJD Program Overview Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

3. US DOL ETJD Program US DOL developed Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) in partnership with US Dept. of HHS and DOJ 7 grants awarded nationally: New York State was the only state to receive two awards The Doe Fund Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) Target Populations Individuals with Conviction Histories released from prison within 120 days Service Enhancements Random Assignment Evaluation Partners – One-Stops; Referral Agencies Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

4. US DOL ETJD Program Deliverables Intake Goals 1,OOO recruited at each site over two years 500 become “treatment group,” 500 become “control group” Outcomes to be Measured 60% of enrollees gain unsubsidized employment 75% of those will retain employment $9.00 average wage 22% decrease in recidivism rate Consistent payment of child support post placement Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

5. Benefits of Transitional Employment as Workforce Development Strategy Immediate Income Improved employability and work reference Skills development (soft and hard skills) Individuals confidence improves; think of themselves as workers Supportive services available Income serves as incentive to participate in other services/training and to stay engaged Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

6. ABOUT THE DOE FUND Multi-disciplinary human services and workforce development non-profit organization Approximately $50 million annual operating budget Working to break interrelated cycles of homelessness, criminal recidivism, unemployment, and addiction Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

7. ABOUT THE DOE FUND (CONT’D.) Founded by George McDonald during peak of homelessness crisis in New York City: Fed homeless in Grand Central for 700 consecutive nights They repeatedly asked for “a room and a job to pay for it” “Mama” Doe dies on Christmas Day, 1985 – Doe Fund created in her name RWA program developed to fulfill self-identified needs of homeless individuals Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

8. Ready, Willing & Able: Early Years 1990: participants recruited from Grand Central, other shelters Paid transitional work: originally, renovations of city-owned apartments 1995: new Mayor Giuliani slashes housing budgets, resulting in >60% cut to Doe Fund contracts “Men in Blue” arrive on East 86th Street First venture in social entrepreneurship (a needed service + jobs for participants + funds for program) Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

10. Ready, Willing & Able: today Cleans more than 150 miles of NYC streets Added three more social entrepreneurial businesses Training incentive: $7.40/hr (to $8.15 after 6 mos.) Weekly automatic deductions: $105 for program contribution; $54 for savings $1,000 graduate incentive Given over 5 months, in installments of $200 Requires proof of employment Promotes employment retention Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

11. Ready, Willing & Able Services: Foundation for ETJD Paid Transitional Work and Training “In-House” Assignment/Orientation (1 month) Custodial, kitchen, light maintenance Serves as evaluation period “Field” Assignment (35 hours/week, 8–10 months) Begin with Street Cleaning, Security or Kitchen Advanced Occupational Trainings (includes Pest at Rest, Back Office ventures) Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

12. RWA Pathways 6-month transitional work program Job placement, retention and career advancement support Cohort-based (twenty one cohorts over two years) Staged employment model 6 weeks paid work with The Doe Fund 8 weeks paid internship with partners 9 weeks paid job search Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

13. RWA Pathways Transitional work assignments – 3 days/week Education/Instruction – 2 days/week Computer Skills Training Parenting Workshops Career Pathways 101, 102 Wellness Workshops Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

14. Intensive Re-entry Focus • Staged Employment: Involved Employer Partners • Cohort Model: Peer Support and Mentorship • Growth (or Stable) Sector Specific Occupational Training that is Employer Linked Enhancements: RWA Pathways Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

15. WHAT WORKS? Employer Partners Percentage of placements through internship 35% Percentage of placements through employment partners 19% City/State/National certifications OSHA, Fire Guard, Food Handler’s, Driver’s License Blended Job Readiness focus Hard Skills – Mock interviews, interview attire, resume and cover letter assistance, computer literacy with a focus on how to submit an application on line, staged transitional employment Soft Skills – Dealing with frustrations on the job, what language is appropriate, how to deal with a difficult supervisor Ready, Willing & Able Pathways

16. Ready, Willing & Able Pathways Nadia Sadloski Program Director, RWA Pathways nsadloski@doe.org 718-416-4924 The Doe Fund www.doe.org