Meghann Cotter

CONNECTING THE HOMELESS CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM TO

MAINSTREAM RESOURCES

Faith-based non-profi t that focuses on the chronic and street homeless in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Supports people experiencing homelessness and identifies paths to sustainable housing.

Programs Basic needs center Winter shelter Post-hospital respite shelter Rapid re-housing Permanent supportive housing Assistance with disability applications (SOAR) Employment assistance Mental health outreach (PATH)

MICAH MINISTRIES

Running a day labor companyStarting a business Operating a job help center Employer recruitment and job placement Developing a certification programLeveraging Workforce Investment Act (WIA) dollars for

on-the- job training and special certificationsOff ering GED classes and helping people to enroll in

community collegeProviding a transportation servicePaying for taxi cabs, bus tickets and other basics that

are necessary for starting a job (i.e. shoes, pants, etc.)Helping people reinstate licenses and get cars

WHAT WE’VE TRIED

Put more emphasis on job placement than job development.

Off ered income assistance services fi rst come, fi rst serve.

Operated income assistance programming separate from our housing program.

Tried to serve multiple populations in the interest of convincing more employers to work with us.

Attempted to be an employment agency, when there are plenty of others who do that for a living.

Allowed people to become dependent on our transportation, rather than empowering their own long-term solutions

WHAT WE DID WRONG

Looked around in our community to see who was off ering employment-related services already. Employment Resources, Inc. (services for 18-24 year-olds) Goodwill (job help center, employment specialist,

stores/businesses that can employ people) Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services

(supportive employment for people with disabilities) Temp services Virginia Employment Services

Better connected employment and disability assistance programming

Stayed focused on the needs of the most vulnerable, longest homeless

WHAT WE WISHED WE HAD DONE

STAFF: FT Income Navigator who operates SOAR and supportive

employment for disabled clients PT Employment Specialist employed by goodwill

Use employment attempts to help build the case for disability

Leverage partnerships with agencies that already off er employment services.

Grow direct relationships with Employers Improve skill building that helps people keep jobsFocusing income case management to individuals we

are placing in housing

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO NOW

Sit down with other service providers and explain what you are trying to accomplish. You might be surprised how they are willing to help you.

Bringing money to the table. Can you leverage money you already have to strengthen a community partnership?

Go knock on doors! DO: Help employers see how you can solve some of their human resource needs. DON’T: Seek benevolence hires.

WIA Programs: Bring them clients; bring them employers.

Consider: Rapidly employing people isn’t a lot diff erent than rapidly re-housing people. What is the minimum amount of assistance necessary for the person you are working with to be hired?

TIPS