Youth Opportunity Boston

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Youth Opportunity Boston
A Workforce Development Program With Public
Safety At Its Core

• National Transitional Jobs Network Conference
• April 2008

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Our Mission

• To empower and motivate young people so that
  they may gain the education, employment, and
  career advancement necessary to be successful in
  the workforce, in the community and in their
  lives.

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Who do we serve?

• Court involved youth ages 14 24
• Average age of active client 20.4
• Average age at intake 17.5
• 80 Male and 20 Female
• 58 gang-affiliated
• 65 tested at 6th grade reading levels or below

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Referrals to YO

• Juvenile Probation 19
• Adult Probation 21
• Department of Youth Services 30
• House of Correction other referrals 30
• Other referral sources include Youth Services
  Providers Network, Alternative Education
  programs, Street Workers, BPD, DSS etc.

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Current Funding Sources

• 50 State Grant from EOPS
• 35 from Mayors Office
• 15 Other

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The YOB Approach

• Referrals from law enforcement partners.
• Services initiated in detention facilities, at
  YOB center or in the community.
• Case management and support services with the
  goal of stabilization.
• Education, Employment Readiness, Transitional
  Jobs and Placement Support

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Education Options

• GED Plus on site
• Community Transition School (DYS youth) on site
• BYSN- Boston Youth Service Network- alternative
  education network- off site programs
• HIGHER ED Counseling and support for youth
  academically and socially ready for
  post-secondary education

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Current Snapshot of YO caseloadFY08YTD data
(7/1/2007-1/31/2008)

• Total Active caseload 265
• Average Caseload per Case Manager 41.5
• Currently enrolled in GED program 44
• Currently enrolled in Alternative Ed. slots 14
• Currently enrolled in BPS 65
• Currently enrolled in college 8
• Currently enrolled in training programs 7
• Attained credential Diploma 25 GED 14
• 71 in educational placement or w/credentials

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Career Development Options

• Learn and Earn model focused on work, skill
  development, job readiness, career counseling
  plus support and placement services
• Year Round Programming
• Multi-tiered model

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The Process

• Career Development Referral
• Information Session
• Application and Interview Process
• Pay packet and documentation
• Assessments

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Transitional Employment Programs

• Pre-Placement Training
• Bridge
• Individual Placement
• Summer
• Vocational Program

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Pre-Placement Training

• Two week training program
• 2.5 hours per day
• Interactive training role plays, games,
  scenarios, teambuilding, small group work, and
  individual reflection
• Academic, social skill and professional
  development, character building
• Daily point system and training evaluation

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Bridge Program

• Six-week to six-month team-based experience
• 5 hours per day
• Service learning project with community partners
  
• Daily Curriculum
• Real work experience and skill development
• Ongoing self-assessment and evaluation process

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Individual Placement

• Three to six month placement with a
  community-based partner organization
• 5 hours per day
• Must demonstrate ability to work independently,
  communicate effectively, handle themselves
  professionally
• Opportunity to explore fields of interest
• Weekly check-ins and monthly evaluations

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Summer Program

• Service target 150 youth 130 on teams
• 5 hours per day
• Seven- week summer program
• Twelve teams working on community service
  learning projects in and around the city of
  Boston
• Thirty to forty-five minutes of curriculum daily
• Daily point system weekly evaluations

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Vocational Program

• Collaboration with BPS and DYS
• 3 hours per day
• 3-month Career Exploration Program
• Vocational paths Auto Body, Auto Mechanics,
  Facilities Maintenance and Electrical
• Professional development CPR certification,
  OSHA certification, Career Exploration

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Curriculum- Part of the Job

• Reading books, poetry, news articles, stories
• Writing daily journal entries, reflection,
  responses to quotes, experiences, readings
• Math Problem of the week- focus on critical
  thinking and problem solving
• Expansion of Pre-Placement Training Topics

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Current Program Outcomes FY08YTD data
(7/1/2007-1/31/2008)

• Education Placements 36
• Subsidized Employment 239
• Unsubsidized Employment 27

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Additional Placement info FY08YTD data
(7/1/2007-1/31/2008)

• of members placed 216
• of members with more than one placement 70
• of members progressed within YO transitional
  levels 37
• of members progressed from Subsidized
  Employment to Unsubsidized Employment 9
• of members received both Education and
  Employment placements 20

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Strengths Successes

• Staff Diverse, qualified supportive
• Relationships with youth trust and safety
• Partnerships Law Enforcement community
• City Leadership
• Communication and information sharing
• Continuum of work school
• Incorporating voices of at-risk groups in program
  planning

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Challenges

• Funding
• Safety/operations
• Significant Education gap
• Partners community private
• Employers and CORI
• Documentation

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Youth Opportunity Boston
A Workforce Development Program With Public
Safety At Its Core

• National Transitional Jobs Network Conference
• April 2008