The purpose of the Work Ready (WR) Program is to assist individuals who are on TANF to become self-sufficient. Work Ready assists individuals in gaining job skills as well as job placement. Throughout enrollment individuals are provided with case management services that not only connect them with community resources to assist in removing barriers but also assist in working on the soft skills that will make them more marketable to employers. There are two phases to WR, pre placement and post placement. Pre-placement is the phase where an individual participates in state approved activities, such as Community Service, Paid Work Experience, Education and Training and Job Search for a predetermined amount of hours each week. The individual remains in this phase until employment of 20 hours or more is obtained. Once employed for 20 or more hours the individual enters the post placement phase where they remain for at least 6 months. During the post placement phase the Service Coordinator continues to provide case management to assure the individual is transitioning positively into the work force as well as providing support and resources if necessary. Once an individual has worked 6 consecutive months they have successfully completed the program.

Skill Development Programs:

Work Adjustment Training

Work Adjustment is a short term paid work experience designed to help an individual develop basic soft skills needed to retain employment; including attendance, punctuality, productivity and work related social skills. Work adjustment can take place in the Production Workshop, the Life’sWork Cafeteria, on the Mobile Janitorial crew or in specialized areas within the Life’sWork facility.

Community-Based Assessments allow staff to assess the critical developmental steps that an individual may need before they can successfully be placed on a job. These developmental steps may include placement at an enclave, on the mobile crew or at an employer site. These experiences allow the individual to work under supervision with a group of individuals at a community site before being placed on a job. In addition, the information generated from Community-Based Assessments allows individuals to cultivate their skills and interests. The CBA also helps to provide a better understanding of the responsibilities required in a particular work setting, the actual work environment and the work culture; familiarize individuals with particular careers, jobs and employers; explore their interests and become more certain of their career choices; become more confident in their abilities to integrate in their community and work alongside their peers