Transitional Jobs for Prison Reentry Strategies for the Kansas City Region

Transitional Jobs Forum August 12, 2011

www.transitionaljobs.net

Defining Transitional Jobs

Transitional Jobs (TJ) is a workforce strategy designed to overcome employment obstacles by using time-limited, wage-paying jobs that combine real work, skill development, and supportive services, to transition participants successfully into the labor market.

Transitional Jobs Core Program Elements

Orientation & Assessment Job Readiness/Life Skills Classes Case Management Support Transitional Job- Real Work Experience Unsubsidized Job Placement & Retention Linkages to Education and Training

The Goals of Transitional Jobs

Stabilizing individuals and families with

earned income Increasing employability through barrier reduction, experiential learning, workreadiness training, and an employment history and reference Reducing recidivism Public cost savings and public safety

Evidence for Transitional Jobs as a Reentry Strategy

The Center for Employment Opportunities

Rigorous, random-assignment study found significant reductions in multiple measures of recidivismeven three years after program completion TJ has the greatest impact on those with the highest risk of recidivism High levels of participation show that formerly incarcerated individuals are very willing to work Recidivism impacts are highly dependent on implementation

Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration

How Cities Support Transitional Jobs

Fundingcities fund TJ programs with pass-through

federal funds as well as general city revenue Building public-private partnershipsbringing together employers, private funders, and expert providers Contracts for TJ enterprisesmany cities contract with TJ programs for city clean-up and landscaping work, providing enterprise revenue Providing TJ worksites at city departments(it is critical to work with unions and establish nondisplacement policies)

Cities and States Supporting TJ Initiatives

Chicago, IL

City funds programs for reentry as well as public housing residents City-sponsored TJ initiative for reentry City-sponsored TJ initiative for reentry Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs TJ for low-income individuals Statewide TJ for TANF-eligible individuals Multi-site TJ for noncustodial parents

Newark, NJ

Indianapolis, IN

Providence, RI

Washington State

Wisconsin

Funding Sources for Transitional Jobs

City and state funding Community Development Block Grants Community Services Block Grants Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Workforce Investment Act Second Chance Actincluding planning funds for public sector

entities Child Support Enforcement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) employment & training fund Private foundations Enterprise revenue

Federal TJ Policy Highlights

US Department of Labor Enhanced Transitional Jobs

Demonstration

Grantees announced6 grants at about $5.5 million each Testing enhancements to the TJ model Year 2 funding cut from budget Defines TJ and makes it an explicit allowable use of funds Prioritizes services for people with barriers to employment Modifies performance measures for people with barriers to remove disincentives

Workforce Investment Act reauthorization draft

What Kansas City Area Stakeholders can do Next

Build champions and partnerships

Everyone here has a critical role: employers, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, community advocates. Relationships with justice system and child support enforcement are key! Multiple public and private sources are needed; cities can lead the way! The NTJN and its members can help Cities typically contract TJ operations to community

Identify and leverage funding

Plan an initiative using best practices

Issue a Request for Proposals

About The National Transitional Jobs Network

The NTJN exists to ensure that policies account for the hard-to-employ, that programs are able to effectively serve as many individuals as possible, and that best practices and technical assistance are widely shared and implemented throughout the network. Technical Assistance State and Federal Advocacy Monthly Newsletters sign up at
www.transitionaljobs.net

National Conference

For more information, contact:

cwarland@heartlandalliance.org or visit: www.transitionaljobs.net