Good Read: Attacking Poverty by Attacking Chronic Unemployment

The July-August edition of the Clearinghouse Review featured an article by NTJN steering committee members John Bouman, Joseph Antolin, and coordinator, Melissa Young on recent developments in Transitional Jobs strategies for former prisoners. This article discusses legislative developments at the federal level, specifically the introduction of the Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act and the Second Chance Act. In addition, developments at the state and local levels are also examined, including The Joyce Foundation’s Transitional Jobs Research Demonstration Project. This article is a good read for program providers and advocates working with this population or for anyone interested in the expansion of the TJ strategy as a means of reducing recidivism.

Click here to read the article.

Congress was on summer recess from August 6 – September 3. Consequently, there have been no new developments on either the Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847) or the Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act of 2007 (S. 1626; H.R. 3395).

Visit the NTJN website for the status of each piece of legislation.

In an effort to provide our readers with on-going technical assistance, the NTJN interviewed Patrick Hall, Board President of the New Hope Project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin regarding his recent Op-Ed in the Capital Times. Mr. Hall reflects on the stalled Wisconsin budget and its impact on the New Hope Project Transitional Jobs Re-entry program.

NTJN Asked: What exactly is an Op-Ed?

It’s a newspaper avenue for single voices to be heard about something the writer feels is important. It gives people the opportunity to express their opinion and share that opinion to a wider audience. It’s a more traditional avenue to express opinions, spur discussion, educate, or motivate readers about just about anything. It can have a local or broader reach, depending on the newspaper.

NTJN Asked: Why should people involved in TJ Programs care about Op-Eds?

It's a way that the value of TJ can be shared with the rest of the community, to employers, tax-payers, a larger audience in general.  It's important that people understand TJ, and through Op-Eds we can stimulate and educate people in communities about the value of TJ.

NTJN Asked: Many people write Op-Eds, but they are not always published.  What did you do to ensure your Op-Ed was published?

My subject matter (the budget) was very timely and relevant. It allowed me  further discuss  Transitional Jobs  through a very timely issue.

NTJN Asked: How can Op-Eds be an advocacy tool?

Op-Eds further the dialogue about any subject through a public source. We need to get TJ in the newspaper, magazines, or radio. Where people tune-in for information. TJ programs serve the public over a long period of time through helping people with barriers obtain and keep employment.  Op-Eds can educate the public about this value of TJ.

NTJN Asked: What did you hope to gain from writing your Op-Ed?

Writing Op-Eds is a vehicle by which we spur community interest and support for TJ by broader stakeholder groups. The goal is that building these champions will result in TJ being a priority at city, state, and potentially national levels.

In this case, I was hoping that there might be politicians and concerned citizens in Madison and across the state who would have influence over passing the budget that are paying attention to the editorial. I wanted to express the frustration with the [budget] impasse and use TJ as an example of real people hurting. I wanted the politicians involved to notice, and to to stimulate conversation within the community for change.  

NTJN Asked: What suggestions would you give others who are considering writing an Op-Ed?

Frame your Op-Ed in current events. Write often about TJ. There is a need for a long term and protracted education about TJ and its value to a wide range of stakeholders. We should not just focus on Op-Eds, but capitalize on opportunities for publicity, community radio, university publications, any kind of media.

As a New Hope Project Board Member, I see this as my responsibility. TJ Program Board members should not just be providing advice to a director, they should make a commitment of time and resources as stewards of this important work. Boards of TJ programs are important community voices and should take the time to invest in opportunities, (like Op-Eds) as part of educating the public about Transitional Jobs.

Click here to view the Op-Ed that ran in the Capital Times.

For more information, please contact Patrick Hall at:

414.607.9396
pjhall@wi.rr.com

Click here to learn more about the New Hope Project.

The Chicago Sun-Times featured the Cara Program, a Chicago-based organization providing comprehensive training, permanent job placement, and critical supportive services to homeless and at-risk populations. The article details the structure of the Cara Program and discusses the program’s results. The Cara Program also administers Cleanslate, a Transitional Jobs program where participants learn critical work and life skills as they perform neighborhood beautification projects.

Click here to read this article, or visit the Cara Program to learn more about their TJ program and employment services.

ARCHS, a community partnership of Greater St. Louis, was awarded a $1.169 million grant from the Missouri Department of Social Services to assist TANF recipients who have reached the maximum allocation of 60 months of benefits. The grant will fund ARCHS' Successful Work Incentives for TANF (SWIFT) Community Partnership. The program will use a Transitional Jobs model to help 300 St. Louis City and County TANF recipients manage their barriers to employment through job and life skills training, childcare and transportation assistance, and additional supportive services.

Click here to read more about this new program.

For additional information on how TANF funds can be used to support TJ programs:

• Click here to read the NTJN’s interview in our August newsletter with Jan Mueller, Director of New Workforce Program Development at Lifetrack Resources in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  
  
• Click here to read Increasing Opportunities: Creating and Expanding Transitional Jobs Programs for TANF Recipients under the Deficit Reduction Act by Abbey Frank, Center for Law & Social Policy.

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The NTJN is hosted by Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
4411 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773.728.5960 x.6286 Fax: 773.506.6649