Transitional Jobs For HardtoEmploy Adults and Youth

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Transitional JobsFor Hard-to-EmployAdults and
Youth

• Julie Kerksick, The New Hope Project
• Excerpt from a presentation by
• Steve Savner
• Center for Law and Social Policy
•  

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What Are Transitional Jobs?

• Transitional jobs programs offer temporary,
  subsidized employment to people who have been
  unsuccessful in finding work
• Work in Transitional Jobs is performed in a more
  supportive environment than typically available
  in unsubsidized employment
• Participants receive support from advisors or
  case managers
• Participants receive access to services

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What Are The Goals Of Transitional Jobs Programs?

• Help participants secure provide a transition
  to - unsubsidized jobs
• Provide valuable services to communities without
  displacing regular workers
• Provide work and income for those who cannot find
  work because of limited skills and experience or
  other barriers

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Groups That Can Benefit

• Target groups for participation include
• Individuals with significant barriers to
  employment
• Individuals with limited work experience and
  limited skills
• Welfare recipients
• Homeless individuals
• Ex-offenders
• Low-income youth
• Individuals with disabilities
• Refugees/Limited English Proficiency

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Program Design Elements

• Transitional jobs programs combine
• paid work for 20 to 35 hours per week in public,
  non-profit, for-profit, and social enterprises
• skill development activities
• access to other needed services
• 6 - 12 months
• Typically, 100 of wages subsidized with public
  funds
• Programs provide intensive case management
• Retention Services
• Programs typically operated by nonprofit
  organizations under contract with public agencies

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Scale Of Current Programsfor Welfare Recipients

• Since 1997, over 40 programs have been
  established
• Statewide programs in Washington State,
  Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Minnesota
• Largest program is the statewide program in
  Washington State serving 1,500 at any point in
  time, and 2,500 per year Pennsylvania is serving
  1,500 a year
• Post-time limit programs operating or being
  established in Georgia and Minnesota
• Currently, between 5,000 7,000 individuals in
  programs throughout the country

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Program Outcomes Mathematica - 2002

• Forrest City, AR
• San Francisco, CA
• Augusta, GA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Aberdeen, WA
• Tacoma, WA
• http//www.mathematica-mpr.com/PDFs/lessonsbrief.p
  df

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Program OutcomesMathematica - 2002

• Successful completion rates 39 to 82
• Employment rates for all participants 49 to 70
• Employment rates for completers 81 to 94
• Placement wage range 5.75 - 9.00