Guidelines for Establishing a Post Employment Support Services Program forWelfare Recipients

摘要

Adjusting to work while experiencing no income and dealing with family needs isstressful. However, although most programs provide multi-level services for families prior to employment, few models exist to support families who have moved into work. The Pierce County, Washington Community Action Agency developed a post employment support services program to assist newly-employed welfare recipients and their families. This program, Steps to Career Success (STEPS), was funded by the Demonstration Partnership Program, and focused on increasing participants' chances for long-term success in the workforce. This report reviews the evolution of the STEPS program and assists with the development of a post-employment program in other communities. STEPS uses a mix of interventions and activities to deliver including: (1) intake and needs assessment, with on-going reassessment; (2) supportive counseling as appropriate; (3) plan develoment and implementation; (4) problem solving and crisis intervention; (5) referral, advocacy, and linkage; and (6) education, information, and skill building in time/financial management and contingency planning. The report also incloudes findings from the Pierce County program.