AG 1995 04 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Finally in e), recipients who go to work, lose their medical coverage and have limited help with child care, are not likely to feel that work has given them anything. In fact, in most cases, the families are in a worse position in the current process, than they were prior to gaining employment. The program we propose would provide financial incentives significant enough to promote continuation of employment, and longer term support services to provide recipients the opportunity to establish a firm hold in the world of work. PROPOSAL The program we propose would use those aspects noted above that have been shown to have an impact on the success of work programs. We also seek to use this program to compliment our JOBS program, as well as to provide services to those who are not mandated JOBS participants. In so doing, it is expected that we will promote work as an important community and family value, increase the participation rate of JOBS, increase the number of voluntary JOBS participants, increase the number of unsubsidized jobs obtained and held, decrease the overall cost of public assistance, and contribute to the success of small businesses within the community. We propose to compliment our current JOBS program with the concept of"Work First", an important part of our proposed program. "Work first" requires all JOBS participants to engage in work activity while pursuing a plan that will improve or develop job skills leading to self sufficiency. The work situations used, in priority order are: a) a full time unsubsidized job b) a part-time unsubsidized job c) an on the job training position (OJT) d) a work supplementation JOBS/Workfare position The intent is to maintain or develop a world of work conditioning for each participant and to place participants in a position to contribute to their own financial support as soon as possible, even in a partial manner, and then build upon that support to economic self- sufficiency. Persons not mandated under JOBS will also be required to participate in the above activities, minus the job development planning activities. It is anticipated that voluntary participation in JOBS will increase as the program progresses. There will be a felt need to increase skills to obtain more favorable and better paid postions. The end result will be a better prepared workforce. To achieve the desired result, it is important that not only is there a greater emphasis on job development, but that Workfare slots be allowed in the private sector,particularly in human service agencies such as day care centers, nursing homes and home care agencies. The latter guarantees that even if there are no unsubsidized jobs available, there will be a valid work experience available to the client. Currently work experience jobs are in the public or private not for profit area. Often these are limited in number and represent activities that have been put together just for the participant. As such, the work activity loses its value. Providing a work experience in the private sector mirrors the real world of work, and provides business with extra manpower without high financial burdens as well 3