On the Path to Self-Sufficiency

1. On the Path to Self-Sufficiency GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services Kate Buckley, Robin DeLong, Nicole Elston

2. What Is Self-Sufficiency? • Able to provide for or support oneself without the help of others • Self-Sufficiency Standard defines the amount of income necessary to meet basic needs (including taxes) without public subsidies (e.g., public housing, food stamps, Medicaid or child care) and without private/informal assistance (e.g., free babysitting by a relative or friend, food provided by churches or local food banks, or shared housing). • Self-Sufficiency wages vary across New York State—between $11.00+ -- $23.00+ (2010--http://www.selfsufficiencystandard.org/pubs.html)

3. Key Elements Contributing to GST BOCES Students’ Success (Adult Learning Continuum) • Strong Partnerships (Referrals) • Intensive Case Management utilizing OSOS, WTWCMS, ASISTS • Employment First Focus—Any Job Is A Good Job! • Academic and Vocational Training Geared Toward Local Demand Occupations • Effective Orientation • Managed Enrollment (start 2 times per month) • Job Readiness/Post Secondary Focus • Referrals to Appropriate Service Agencies; Accessible Locations • Educated and Informed Instructors • Continuous Improvement Philosophy • Program Connections Facilitate Seamless Transitions • Organizational Commitment to Adult Education

4. Strength in Partnerships • Department of Labor • Chemung-Schuyler-Steuben Workforce NY (functionally aligned in 5 centers) • Chemung & Steuben Co. Departments of Social Services • WIA Youth Program • ACCES VR • County Jails • ProAction • Economic Opportunity Program • Corning Community College • Component school districts • Area employers/agencies

5. How Does This Look in Our Region? • Open communication with common goals • Monthly partnership meetings/minutes distributed • Sharing of responsibilities/duties and space in One-Stops • Information sharing through group e-mails • Joint staff development • Participation in joint community events (job fairs, Chamber of Commerce events, Rapid Response, College Night, open house events) • Documentation in shared databases (OSOS, WTWCMS, ASISTS) • Collaboration to eliminate duplicated services • Celebrating students’ success

6. Referrals From Partners

7. DSS Applicant Diversion Program (First Choices) DSS Referrals TABE Assessment Literacy Orientation (participants without HS diploma/GED) Short-term job readiness trainings Obtain Employment Cash Case Opens 1-on-1 Case Management Interview—CMS enrollment opened Cash Case Denied (non-compliance/ over income) GST BOCES Employment and Training Program Short-term job readiness trainings, work experience, monitored job search, academics, vocational training, and basic and HS skills preparation

8. Workforce NY and DOL Referrals to Skills Upgrading Classes(With HS Credential) • Person attends monthly WIA orientation seeking funding for vocational training • TABE assessment in reading and math • If below 9.0 in reading or math, referred to GST BOCES to upgrade skills • Teacher analyzes TABE results to determine skill improvement needs • Appropriate classroom materials are given to increase skills • One-on-one attention provided as needed • Posttest on TABE to demonstrate increased skills • Person works with WIA counselor to enroll in training

9. Self-Referral(without HS Credential) TABE Assessment Literacy Orientation Placed in appropriate literacy programming-- including case management, individual and group instruction, and employment readiness training

10. Intensive Case Management • Regular contact with students—classroom, phone, e-mail, and Facebook • Career and Education Plan is used as a working document to develop individual plan towards self-sufficiency—education and employment goals are regularly reviewed • Barriers to education/employment are addressed • Refer students to short-term job readiness trainings • Place qualified students into funded vocational trainings to help them meet their career goals • Support job search and educational activities

11. Starting on the Right Foot-- Literacy Orientations • Expectations—ours and theirs • Explanation of GED® exam; sample GED® questions • Education and career goal setting using NYS Career and Education Plan • Learning Styles and Intake surveys • Writing sample (introductory information for their instructor) • Appropriate placement into programming • Signed Commitment to Learning contract • Opportunity for group interaction

12. Managed Enrollment • Orientations are bi-weekly • Class start dates are bi-weekly on opposite weeks • Exits are at end of month • Point of entry is through the adult literacy main office Benefits: • Everyone is tracked and we know where they are; no one gets lost in the shuffle • Teachers plan for the incoming students • Classroom orientation on first day—students develop a camaraderie • Helps to manage NRS report card • Timely case management services provided to impact retention

13. More Than Academics • “Employment First” philosophy • Job Readiness Trainings (offering at least 7 per week) • Credential Programs (OSHA 10, Fork Lift, CNA) • Financial Literacy (“Wealth Health”) • Health Literacy (Smoking Cessation, Nutrition) • Life Skills presentations including Parenting and Family Reading (Literacy Zone) • “College 101” presentations

14. Examples of Job Readiness Trainings • Resume Writing • Basic Computer Skills • E-Mail and Applying for Jobs Online • Interview Skills • Dress for Success • Customer Service Excellence • Cash Handling and Cashier Skills • Conflict Resolution • Time Management • Intro to Word Processing • Intro to Spreadsheets • Keyboarding • Managing Work and Life • Workplace Expectations and Ethics • Filing of Personal and Business Names • Intro to Security Guard • Intro to Health Care Field • Apprenticeship Referral— DLEA

15. Stacking Credentials for Success • WorkKeys Certificates • OSHA 10 • CDL • Fork Lift • Certified Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide • Welding • Construction Equipment Operation • Phlebotomy • Office Support Specialist • Culinary Arts Program (Community Food for Jobs Program—ServSafe Certification)

16. Integrating Career Awareness into the Curriculum (ICA) • Integrate specific career awareness curriculum in the ABE/GED classrooms • Students identify their current skills and explore potential career paths based on their interests and job values • Ties into post-secondary education and/or vocational training to reach career path goals • Students actively participate and are enthusiastic about end results

17. Outreach Efforts

18. Transitioning Released Inmates • Transitioning starts in the jail with Career and Education Plan and Career Awareness lessons • Résumés completed • Stackable credentials available (OSHA 10, Shop Math, Blue Print Reading, Construction Math) • Career exploration through Choices software or O*Net • Explanation of services available at nearby WFNY One-Stop • Referral to WIA Youth (if appropriate) upon release • Seamless transition into ABE/GED classroom • Pre-scheduled meeting with transitional counselor at the WFNY One-Stop

19. WIA Youth Connections • Primary goal is to obtain work readiness skills and employment • WIA Youth counselors visit and conduct lessons in the AHSEP classroom—recruit students who may benefit from the WIA Youth funding • Attend literacy orientations to promote program • Network with the local youth bureaus • In contact with local employers to develop job opportunities for youth • Place youth into appropriate trainings to meet their career and education goals

20. Blended Funding Streams • Employment Preparation Education Program Grant • WIA Title I and WIA Title II • WIA Youth Grant • ACCES VR • Local, state, and federal DSS • Business and Industry • Component School Districts • Self-Pay

21. Setting and Achieving Goals Along The Path to Self-Sufficiency Success stories

22. SUCCESS! • 19-year-old male—self-referred, high school non-completer • Goal: Earn high school equivalency diploma—accomplished! • Goal: Learn a trade in a demand occupation—Welding program—accomplished! • Goal: Obtain a solid career—Sheet Metal Workers Union—5-year apprenticeship program—accomplished! (Working to become journeyman) • Selected as an Adult Student of the Year by New York Association for Continuing and Community Education • Self-Sufficient!!

23. Joe BarrNYACCE Adult Student of the Year

24. SUCCESS! • 19-year-old single mom, high school non-completer—mandated through Department of Social Services • Goal: Earn high school equivalency diploma—accomplished! • Goal: Increase job readiness skills—Office Skills program—accomplished! • Goal: Transition off temporary assistance—Working full-time in a call center—accomplished! • No longer receiving any type of assistance!—Self-Sufficient!!

25. SUCCESS!Post-Secondary • 30+ year-old mother of 3, high school non-completer • Goal: Earn High School Credential—External Diploma Program—accomplished! First generation HS graduate. • Goal: Increase job readiness skills—Office Careers Program—accomplished! • Goal: Post-secondary education—Associate’s Degree—accomplished! • Goal: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management—in process! Wants to teach at college level. • Goal: Master’s Degree—it will happen!

26. Questions?

27. Contact Us • 607-739-7684 or 877-ADULTED (238-5833) • Kate Buckley kbuckley@gstboces.org • Robin DeLong rdelong@gstboces.org • Nicole Elston nelston@gstboces.org