Employment Workgroup – Assets/Barriers/Gaps Analysis
(February 7, 2013)
OBJECTIVES / STRENGTHS / CHALLENGES / OPPORTUNITIES / THREATSJob training & certificate programs in-custody / · Auto body shop
· Upholstery/sewing
· Furniture selling
· Computer lab
· Laser machinery for engraving
· Food Services certification
· Manufacturing
· Landscaping / · Limited # served
· Training programs are not based on job market
· Lack of connection with local employers and job training partners
· Limited capacity for RO’s to visit job programs
· Facility limitation; lack of space to provide programming
· Facility security / · Develop programming with the housing units
· Available data on emerging job industries/labor market
· Walk-through to evaluate facility at Elmwood
· Evaluate screening process
· Peer Mentoring
· Non-traditional jobs
· Evaluate for “readiness”
· Life skills/life management
· Community-based organizations to provide for in-reach services & programs
· Healthcare field
· Stride Center
· Explore the motivation of individuals / · Security risk
· Jail and Correctional Facility Schedule
· Space limitation
· Screening process
· Transportation/Access to driver’s license
· Security clearance and access
Process for accessing employment records while in-custody / · CAIS assessment / · Individuals do not have a mechanism for keeping track of their employment history, documentation, or portfolio while in-custody
· Job developers have to start from ground zero in helping individuals develop their resumes, application, and employment history / · Develop a system for individuals while in-custody to establish their portfolio (application, resume, employment records, etc). / · Transition and limited ability to keep track of employment record
· Security
· Funding competition
Targeted services and programs to increase employment for formerly incarcerated individuals / · Strong organizations providing employment, vocational services
· Increase funding opportunities
· Parole/probation officers to help with the reentry transition
· Family connection / · Access to legal documents
· Verification for work
· Limited information available on clients to be able to case plan / · County ID / · Funding restrictions and criteria
· Policies and procedures that may hinder clients successes
· Decision making is fragmented
· Stigma/public perception
Efforts to remove criminal history questions from County application for employment / · County does not ask for criminal history on the initial application / · 290s (wide range of infractions) / · Adopt Ban the Box
· Coaching of individuals to respond to their criminal background
· San Jose State University Record Clearance Project
· Federal guideline on nondiscriminatory process on individuals’ criminal record / · 290s
· Licensing
·
Outreach and awareness of tax incentives/
financial incentives for employers when hiring formerly incarcerated individuals / · Enterprise Zones (City of San Jose)
· Federal guidelines for hiring individuals with criminal history / · Documentation / · Local County Tax Incentives
· Target small & medium businesses
· On-the-Job Training subsidies / · Funding
· Political will