Transitional Jobs for Prison ReentryStrategies for the Kansas City Region

7/31/2019 Transitional Jobs for Prison ReentryStrategies for the Kansas City Region

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Transitional Jobs Forum

August 12, 2011

Transitional Jobs for Prison Reentry

Strategies for the Kansas City Region

www.transitionaljobs.ne


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Defining Transitional Jobs

Transitional Jobs (TJ) is a workforce strategy

designed to overcome employment obstaclesby using time-limited, wage-paying jobs

that combine real work, skilldevelopment, and supportive services,to

transition participants successfully into thelabor market.


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Transitional Jobs Core ProgramElements

Orientation & Assessment

Job Readiness/Life Skills Classes

Case Management Support

Transitional Job - Real Work Experience

Unsubsidized Job Placement & Retention

Linkages to Education and Training


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The Goals of Transitional Jobs

Stabilizing individuals and families withearned income

Increasing employability through barrierreduction, experiential learning, work-readiness training, and an employment

history and reference Reducing recidivism

Public cost savings and public safety


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Evidence for Transitional Jobs as aReentry Strategy

The Center for Employment Opportunities Rigorous, random-assignment study found significant

reductions in multiple measures of recidivismeven threeyears after program completion

TJ has the greatest impact on those with the highest risk ofrecidivism

Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration High levels of participation show that formerly incarcerated

individuals are very willing to work

Recidivism impacts are highly dependent on implementation


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How Cities Support TransitionalJobs

Fundingcities fund TJ programs with pass-throughfederal funds as well as general city revenue

Building public-private partnershipsbringingtogether employers, private funders, and expertproviders

Contracts for TJ enterprisesmany cities contractwith TJ programs for city clean-up and landscapingwork, providing enterprise revenue

Providing TJ worksites at city departments(it iscritical to work with unions and establish

nondisplacement policies)


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Cities and States Supporting TJInitiatives

Chicago, IL City funds programs for reentry as well as public housing residents

Newark, NJ City-sponsored TJ initiative for reentry

Indianapolis, IN City-sponsored TJ initiative for reentry

Providence, RI

Pathways Out of Poverty green jobs TJ for low-income individualsWashington State Statewide TJ for TANF-eligible individuals

Wisconsin Multi-site TJ for noncustodial parents

di f i i l


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Funding Sources for TransitionalJobs

City and state funding Community Development Block Grants

Community Services Block GrantsTemporary Assistance for Needy FamiliesWorkforce 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


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Federal TJ Policy Highlights

US Department of Labor Enhanced Transitional JobsDemonstration Grantees announced6 grants at about $5.5 million each

Testing enhancements to the TJ model

Year 2 funding cut from budget

Workforce Investment Act reauthorization draft

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 toremove disincentives


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What Kansas City Area Stakeholderscan 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!

Identify and leverage funding

Multiple public and private sources are needed; cities canlead the way!

Plan an initiative using best practices The NTJN and its members can help

Issue a Request for Proposals Cities t icall contract o erations to communit


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About The National TransitionalJobs Network

The NTJN exists to ensure that policies account forthe hard-to-employ, that programs are able to

effectively serve as many individuals as possible,and that best practices and technical assistanceare widely shared and implemented throughout

the network.Technical AssistanceState and Federal AdvocacyMonthly Newsletters sign up at

www.transitionaljobs.net

National Conference


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For more information, contact:

[email protected]

or visit:

www.transitionaljobs.net

Transitional Jobs for Prison ReentryStrategies for the Kansas City Region

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