Contact us:

Phone       
773.336.6086

E-mail
ntjn@heartlandalliance.org

Address                        
National Transitional Jobs Network
in c/o Heartland Alliance   
4411 N. Ravenswood         
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60640                         

Program Origin:

Washington’s Community Jobs program is the oldest and largest Transitional Jobs program. It was developed through a collaborative effort between the Office of Trade and Economic Development (OTED), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Employment Security Department (ESD), and t he State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).

In 1997, the current Speaker of the House recognized the need for serving participants that are typically left behind in welfare reform and facilitated the process of using TANF funds to create the Community Jobs program. The Economic Opportunity Institute (EOI), a nonprofit public policy institute in Seattle, worked in close partnership with the design and implementation of the program.

Scale:

The program serves 2,600 participants per year. The program has the capacity to serve about 1,500 participants at any given time, and on average serves between 1,100 and 1,200 participants at one time. Community Jobs has served over 7,000 participants as of December 2001.

Eligibility:

Community Jobs serves participants who have failed job search and have been deemed to have significant multiple barriers to employment. Participants that are referred to Community Jobs typically have the following characteristics: low education levels, low basic skills, little to no work experience or a history of job cycling, history of substance abuse, history of mental health issues, history of domestic violence, been in sanction for non-participation, and an average of eight barriers to employment, not including transportation or child care.

Funding:

All funds used for Community Jobs are TANF funds.

Program Design:

Community Jobs is a direct service transitional employment program administered by OTED. OTED contracts with 14 community-based organizations and four tribes around the state to provide direct services to program participants. OTED relies on its strong partnerships with other WorkFirst state agencies to ensure streamlined services between them so that participants can easily navigate through the system, such as moving from job search with Washington state's Employment Security Department to pre-employment training with the Community Colleges.

Community Jobs (CJ) is the largest Transitional Jobs program in the nation. Prior to entering CJ, 40% of participants have experienced TANF grant reductions for non-compliance of welfare work requirements. Once engaged in the program, participants are hired for 20 hours a week for up to nine months. CJ participants earn paychecks from their employers. These nonprofit CJ contractors develop CJ jobs, design career ladders, help participants access vocational training, and administer support such as reinstating driver’s licenses and negotiating debt reduction. CJ removes obstacles to work and rebuilds self-confidence through work. Because of the Washington State minimum wage and eligibility for the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit, CJ participants earn more than other Washington welfare recipients. 

At the local level, community-based organizations are encouraged to tailor Community Jobs to region-specific circumstances. This is particularly important because economic and labor market conditions vary widely between extreme rural and urban areas. At the state level, CJ partners are monitored and guided by a performance-based contract and clear scope of work. The contract provides monthly management dollars and also rewards performance as contractors achieve the following four milestones:

1. engaging the participant

2. beginning the first day of the Transitional Job

3. participating in TJ for six months and re-evaluating the individual’s career plan and

4. completing the program/and or finding unsubsidized employment.

Focusing on outcomes, the agency receives a higher payment when the participant completes the program early by obtaining permanent employment. The state also saves money with early completion in the reduction of subsidized wages for the participant.

Direct service is provided through a well-integrated system that maximizes customer service for participants. The process begins when the participant receives a referral from DSHS to the Community Jobs program. The contractor then employs intensive strategies, including home visits, to engage the referred participant. Many potential participants have not participated in other WorkFirst components, which may have resulted in sanctions (a temporary reduction/suspension of their welfare grant). Once engaged, contractors work with participants to assess their career interests, current skills, and work experience. An individual development plan is created, outlining personal and employment barrier, as well as incremental steps for overcoming each barrier.

The majority of the participant's time in the CJ program is spent working at an employment site matching the participant's interests and skill goals. Once working, participants receive a paycheck and are no longer in sanction status. This real work experience is supported through additional training and intensive case management. The powerful combination of real work and necessary support services advances the participant along a career ladder to unsubsidized employment.

Community-based flexibility enables contractors to pinpoint support services most appropriate to each participant. OTED provides ongoing professional development for service providers through immediate technical assistance, quarterly regional trainings, and an annual training institute for all CJ service providers. The focus of this effort is on results, teamwork, and peer-to-peer learning.

Recently, CJ has expanded the model by providing private sector placement options to further support the career interests of participants. Career Jump builds upon the proven success of CJ and offers more worksite opportunities for this population who normally don't have access to certain careers. The design of this program includes shorter enrollment in a subsidized positions, career ladder tracks, higher wages, benefits, and focused training for optimal skill development and growth in a workplace setting. Once employed in an unsubsidized job, CJ contractors provide up to four months of intensive job retention services for the participants. Other key initiatives include at-risk youth and pre-apprenticeship tracks for Community Jobs participants.

Outcome Information:

A recent evaluation conducted by EOI confirms the success and effectiveness of the program. The report demonstrates that participant income dramatically increased during CJ due to the addition of wages and the Earned Income Tax Credit. In addition, those employed one year after leaving CJ more than doubled their pre-CJ income. Please visit www.eoionline.org for the full report.

Another evaluation conducted by the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs of the University of Washington found that CJ has a significant impact on both participant’s employment and earnings. CJ increased participants’ likelihood of employment by 33% and raised participants’ post-CJ earnings an average of $792 per quarter. These dramatic impacts were stronger than most other WorkFirst programs available for welfare recipients in Washington State.

Key Program Statistics:

• Over 7,000 participants served since September 1998

• 65% obtain unsubsidized employment

• 85% of all participants referred are enrolled

• Over 40% referred have been in sanction status for non-participation

• 93% are co-enrolled in additional training and education