Case Management Services in the Literacy Zones Presented by: S. Michele Echols Interim Program Manager Queens Library

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1 Case Management Services in the Literacy Zones Presented by: S. Michele Echols Interim Program Manager Queens Library Created by S. Michele Echols 1

2 Case Managers in the Literacy Zones Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain The Case Manager s position was designed as a key position to the Literacy Zones. The case manager assist families and/or individuals in addressing their critical needs to overcome one or more of the ten defined pathways out of poverty. Created by S. Michele Echols 2

3 Ten Pathways out of Poverty The continuum of literacy available from early childhood through adult (i.e. total literacy) Assistance and support for at-risk youth to enable them to complete high school an succeed in postsecondary education or advanced training Postsecondary transition for out-of-school youth and adults to attain a HSE and succeed in postsecondary education or advanced training Programs that enable out-of-school youth and adults who are receiving public assistance or with family incomes less than 200% poverty to become employed and retain employment Incarcerated transition for youth and adults returning to the community from incarceration Created by S. Michele Echols 3

4 Ten Pathways out of Poverty (cont d) Pathways to citizenship and English language proficiency for limited English language adults Workforce development programs, including apprenticeship and career pathways Support for mature workers and senior citizens to enable them to stay out of poverty Support for individuals with disabilities and their families Transition support for returning veterans and their families Created by S. Michele Echols 4

5 Addressing the Ten Pathways out of Poverty Education related to available programs Referrals Accessibility Feedback Created by S. Michele Echols 5

6 Factors prohibiting Pathways Out of Poverty Economic uncertainty has forced the job market to become an employer s market Governmental fiscal restraints The restraints has spawned a reduction in services and challenged resources Lack of affordable and appropriate housing Lack of available, affordable child care Health and social service support cuts High, sustained unemployment or underemployment in areas hit by reduction of full time jobs Created by S. Michele Echols 6

7 Typical Day of the Case Manager Services provided to an individual or families for a particular issue or multiple Initial Intake gather basic data Interview process Make an informed decision and provide a referral Created by S. Michele Echols 7

8 Opening Pandora s Box Interview Process Created by S. Michele Echols 8

9 Case Management Services Today Family Centered Services the family is at the center of the program and services we provide. As professionals we are trained to implement interventions for the families we service as noted in the various policy briefs produced by our governmental agencies; where the families are viewed as incapable of solving their own problems. Are the families incapable or are there underlying factors Created by S. Michele Echols 9

10 Highlights Researchers have identified a tipping point where a worker s educational attainment leads to a job that pays wages sufficient to support a family. Surprisingly, this" tipping point can be reached before attaining a Bachelor s degree.(1) Case manager s are adding career and education counseling services as a result of opening Pandora s box. (et.al) The amount of time allocated for appointments oftentimes is not enough. Some students will schedule an appointment for a particular issue, and end with multiple issues. Pearce, D. M. (2010). The self-sufficiency standard for New York City University of Washington School of Social Work. Created by S. Michele Echols 10

11 Empowerment Empowered families and or individuals are essentially their own agents of change and more likely to become empowered when the services we provide support, encourage, and create opportunities for them to exercise greater control over decisions that affect their lives. When we empower the families and or individuals we service we are indirectly producing favorable outcomes. Created by S. Michele Echols 11

12 FACTORS IMPACTING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES Previously the mission of the CM was to move families / individuals off of public benefits Today the current economic climate we are forced to think outside the box Develop strategies to empower the most vulnerable populations on how to maintain public benefits while pursuing educational options Increase their learning opportunities to create a seamless transition Created by S. Michele Echols 12

13 Creative Workshop to address some challenges Outside the Box! Workshop This workshop will introduce a variety of creative employment options available to unemployed and underemployed individuals, as well as those who lack key employment qualifications such as a HSE/Diploma or English language fluency. Participants will learn about self-employment, home-based employment and employment websites How to Think Outside the Box in order to put their skills to use beyond the confines of the traditional competitive job market. Created by S. Michele Echols 13

14 ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO OBTAINING HSE Created by S. Michele Echols 14

15 THE NATIONAL EXTERNAL DIPLOMA PROGRAM The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) The National External Diploma Program (NEDP), administrated through Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) is a complete assessment program that allows adults to demonstrate transferable skills for which a high school diploma is awarded. NEDP is a competencybased, applied performance assessment system that expects adults to demonstrate their ability in a series of simulations that parallel job and life situations. Participants are evaluated against a criterion of excellence which requires 100% mastery. Advisors and Assessors work with students to help direct them toward the instruction needed to complete the 70 competencies required through existing community resources. In addition, each student must fulfill an individual competency. As with all Distance Learning programs, NEDP candidates should be ready to take upon the selfdirection of learning with enthusiasm and dedication. CASAS sets a minimal entry requirement of performing at ASE Low instructional level. Scale score levels on CASAS assessment should be 230 in math and 236 in reading. Since NEDP is one of the Distance Learning programs, it follows similar guidelines for calculating State Aid Reimbursement. Students must meet with the Assessor weekly for a face to face meeting, thus the calculations are made on a weekly formula. Created by S. Michele Echols 15

16 NYSED UPDATE Current information: To date the NYS Board of Regents have asked that an independent blue ribbon panel be formed to identify alternative assessments for state issued HSE diploma such as NEDP. Created by S. Michele Echols 16

17 ASISTS DATA AND CASE MANAGEMENT How can we use ASISTS to document case management outcomes? What data should we capture? Created by S. Michele Echols 17

18 ASISTS DATA AND CASE MANAGEMENT Created by S. Michele Echols 18

19 ASISTS DATA AND CASE MANAGEMENT Cont d Created by S. Michele Echols 19

20 ASISTS DATA AND CASE MANAGEMENT Cont d Created by S. Michele Echols 20

21 THANK YOU QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Created by S. Michele Echols 21