SUMMER EARN AND LEARN INITIATIVE SUMMER 2017
OVERVIEW The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) emphasizes the importance of providing work-based learning opportunities, such as paid work experience and internships, to students with disabilities. Summer Earn and Learn is a statewide work-based learning program conducted in partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation and the 28 Local Workforce Development Boards and their employer partners.
OVERVIEW CONTINUED 1,524 students with disabilities participated in employability skills training and paid work experience. Over 600 Texas employers participated.
SUMMER EARN AND LEARN KEYS TO SUCCESS: EARLY PLANNING & COMMUNICATION GREATER DALLAS
PLAN EARLY WITH ALL PARTNERS Vocational Rehabilitation Services Workforce Board/contractor Job Skills Trainers Employer of record
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TRAINING/ON BOARDING Prepare Job Skills Trainers, youth and parents for work experiences through mandatory Employability Skills Training Training needs to be customized by need Payroll/pay options
TAKE AWAYS Even customer negative experiences were learning experiences SEAL was a good example of how our customers can benefit from the Board/Centers and VR working together
SEAL PARENT TESTIMONIAL Thank you all so much as well as Dallas Lighthouse for allowing xxxx the opportunity to gain occupational exposure to the workforce. He did wonderful work and learned to effectively perform his job with good results each week. He told me he will miss everyone at work and he thanks the Texas Workforce and Lighthouse for this valuable program. Please continue to bless and help these kids because this is a wonderful benefit for so many children in need. Thank you all again and have an awesome weekend!
PANEL PRESENTERS GREATER DALLAS Jim Knauss Deputy Regional Director Texas Workforce Solution- Vocational Rehabilitation Services Barbara Nwaigbo Disability Navigator Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas
SUMMER EARN AND LEARN PROGRAM (SEAL) LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 108 participants 99 participants completed their paid work experience. Two half days of Employability Skills Training prior to starting participant s work experience. 5 weeks of paid work experience with hourly rate $7.25. Total number of worksites were 47 throughout various cities.
EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS PARTNERS Boys and Girls Club HEB Walgreens Trampoline Sky Park Farmers Insurance, Guadalupe Home Care Pediatric Clinic, Border Town Foods International Museum of Art and Science Mission Housing Authority.
BUSINESS PARTICIPANT'S FEEDBACK Participants were motivated and easily picked up on tasks quickly. Participants were readily available and asked for additional assignments once their tasks were done. Participants were very professional and worked independently. Most employers were pleased with their participants and indicated they would be willing to participate in the program if offered next year.
LESSONS LEARNED - 1 Consideration to implement direct deposit or mailing of checks to participants who lacked dependable transportation. May need to consider a wider variety of other industries or occupations to align with participants specific skills and interests. Update referral form to include preference of language spoken at worksite (English, Spanish, or both) and desire of distance of worksite from home.
LESSONS LEARNED - 2 Develop a timesheet checklist to eliminate errors. Allow more time for referrals so worksite assignments can be given early to consider other associated services. Evaluate this year s operational process with TWS-VRS partner and create an updated process for upcoming program Invite VR Counselors to workshops to address specific questions and possibly identify who may need job skills training at the specific worksites.
LESSONS LEARNED - 3 Request worksite schedule for duration of the work experience. This assist with coordination of ASL Interpreters and/or transportation services. Provide VR contact information on communication regarding participants when issues arise. Identify which employers require federal finger printing and criminal background checks as this could delay the process of when a participant can start working.
SUCCESSES 108 VR participants were placed at 47 employer worksites. Of those, 99 participants were able to successfully complete their five (5) week work experience assignment as scheduled. Businesses; Border Town Foods and Pharr Boys and Girls Club offered employment to two participants. We served the Board's target population in greater numbers. This project improved communication and collaboration within VR and Workforce Solutions. In addition, it allowed a better understanding of the extent of the services offered.
PANEL PRESENTERS LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY Lorissa K. Luna Business Relations Coordinator Texas Workforce Solution- Vocational Rehabilitation Services Flor Leal Community Engagement Specialist Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley
SUMMER EARN AND LEARN (SEAL) WEST CENTRAL TEXAS
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TRAINING SEAL established a multiple point entry plan in order to meet the geographic needs of VR customers. There were a total of 6 sessions: Abilene: -18 Customers Session 1: May 30-31 (4 hours each day) Session 2: July 6-7 (4 hours each day)
EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING CONT. Brownwood 4 Customers Session 1: June 6 (8 hours) Session 2: June 15 (8 hours) Sweetwater 1 Customer Session 1: June 8 (8 hours) Snyder 2 Customers Session 1: June 1 (8 hours)
EMPLOYERS SEAL established a contract with 24 employers throughout Abilene, Brownwood, Snyder, Sweetwater, Haskell, and Anson. Based on customer needs/interest, 15 employers were utilized. 6 of those employers continue to partner with us in our WIOA Youth Program. Employers are eager to joining the program next year.
CUSTOMERS SERVED & COMPLETED Our goal was to serve 27 customers 21 customers completed training and work experience successfully 11 customers were offered permanent employment after completion of SEAL 4 accepted the offers and the remaining 7 could not due to school/college schedules
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, & THREATS (SWOT) - 1 Strength: VR and program staff worked well together and everyone was in unison. The customers served were open and ready to receive training, guidance, and work experience. The communities were open to the possibilities and opportunities this program would provide for their perspective communities as well as their businesses.
SWOT - 2 Weaknesses: Additional staff support was needed during the beginning and middle of the program. Partner Relations staff who completed job placements and onboarding of business need to meet with each participant prior to seeking out job placements and business agreements.
SWOT - 3 Opportunities: To serve more customers and employers. To further the knowledge and education of all programs we offer. To improve the perception of our company through a strategic plan of marketing, customer service, and staffing. To increase the knowledge of SEAL we can distribute more orientation material to customers and businesses.
SWOT CONT. Threats: Uneducated and wary employers
CONCLUSION In conclusion, SEAL was successful. Continued efforts and education for each of our programs will help our customers and our community. With the joined efforts of VR staff as well as staff at Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, we can continue to plan, develop, and deploy more years of the Summer Earn and Learn Program.
PANEL PRESENTERS WEST CENTRAL TEXAS Matt Berend Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor Texas Workforce Solution- Vocational Rehabilitation Services Mandy Ott Career Specialist Workforce Solutions Lower West Central Texas
PANEL FACILITATOR Jonas E. Schwartz, M.S. Program Manager Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services
QUESTIONS