Case Management for Newly Employed Welfare Recipients

I.   TOPIC          Steps To Career Success

II.  LOCATION  Tacoma, Washington

III. SUBJECT        Case Management for Newly Employed
                    Welfare Recipients

IV.  SUMMARY

     In Washington State, welfare recidivism rates for newly employed welfare recipients is
     32 percent after 12 months and 74 percent after 26 months. Steps to Career Success
     addresses post-employment self-sufficiency by assisting welfare recipients in their next
     career steps after initially securing employment. By providing systematic after-employment support to welfare recipients, Steps to Career Success seeks to demonstrate
     significant, measurable increases in the proportion of newly employed welfare recipients
     who will: (a) retain their jobs longer, (b) improve their wage levels, (c) self-identify new
     personal skills and potential ways to use them.
     
V.     SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE

     Developed an intervention process for newly employed welfare recipients that
     demonstrates significant, measurable increases in the proportion of newly employed
     welfare recipients who retain their jobs longer, improve their wage levels, and self-identify new personal skills and potential ways to use them.
     
VI.    CONTACT

     Linda Hurley Ishem, Executive Director
     Pierce County Community Action Agency
     (A Community Action Agency)
     8811 South Tacoma Way, Building 2
     Room 240
     Tacoma, Washington 98499
     206-591-7240
     FAX: 206-596-2818
     VII.   CASE STUDY

     The Problem: In Washington State, welfare recidivism rates for newly employed
     welfare recipients was 32 percent after 12 months and 74 percent after 26 months.
     
     The Approach Adopted: Steps to Career Success addresses post-employment    self-sufficiency by assisting welfare recipients in their next career steps after
     initially securing employment. By providing systematic after-employment support to
     welfare recipients, Steps to Career Success seeks to demonstrate significant, measurable
     increases in the proportion of newly employed welfare recipients who retained their jobs
     longer, improved their wage levels, and self-identified new personal skills and potential
     ways to use them.
     
     How They Implemented The Approach: Steps to Career Success targets newly
     employed welfare participants in four JOBS program sites in Pierce County, Washington.
     160 welfare recipients who are working and receiving subsidies are enrolled in the
     project. Interventions include coordination and delivery of comprehensive family support
     case management services, career and life planning sessions, and mentoring. Steps has
     partnerships with the Department of Social and Health Services, the Employment
     Security Department, the Private Industry Council, and the Washington Women for
     Education and Employment.
     
     Results: Steps to Career Success achieved measurable increases in the proportion of
     newly employed welfare recipients who retained their jobs longer, improved their wage
     levels, and self-identified new personal skills and potential ways to use them.
     
VIII.  KEY WORDS

     After-Employment Support
     Case Management
     Community Action Agency
     Life Planning
     Mentoring
     Recidivism
     Self-Sufficiency
     Welfare
     Welfare to Work
     





ref:   steps.doc