Westhab Employment Services Overview
1) Site-Based Services
Under Westhab's Employment Services Division, a dedicated
staff person serves as an Employment Counselor/Job Coach
at each of the three Westhab homeless housing programs (Coachman
Family Center/Vaughn Glanton Employment Residence/Emergency
Housing Apartment Program-Adult Services). He/she is integrated
into the case management team at each site. The work of
the on-site Employment Counselors is supported by an Employment
Services Coordinator, Job Developers, and a Job Retention
Counselor. These staff are based at Westhab's offices at
49 East Third Street in Mount Vernon.
Site-Based Services include:
Individualized Employment
Plans/Intensive Case Management
Detailed written Individual Employment Plans (IEPs) are
developed with each eligible resident, which include periodic
reviews to update services, as client needs change. The
IEP includes details of the resident's educational and employment
history; short-term and long-term educational and employment
goals; individual aptitudes, interests, and acquired job
skills; supportive services needs such as transporation
and childcare; and potential barriers to employment retention
and advancement. The focus during the development of each
IEP is to identify an employment goal, remove barriers,
create positive attitudes, and provide necessary educational/vocational
training. After completion of the IEP, residents who are
employment ready are immediately assisted with job search
and placement services. Residents who are not employment
ready receive additional support such as employment readiness
training, adult basic education, and vocational skills training
from Westhab, or our employment training partners.
Pre-Employment
Services:
Employment Readiness Training:
Employment readiness training is provided directly by Westhab
in a structured grioup setting, and includes instruction
in completing job applications, writing resumes, interview
techniques, breaking negative behavior patterns problem
solving, budget proficiency, and other "soft skills"
which aid in job retention. Particular emphasis is placed
on building self confidence, adjusting to workplace expectations,
and on developing conflict resolution skills for dealing
with supervisors and co-workers. At the conclusion of employment
readiness training each participant receives a copy of a
completed resume ready to be used for job search activities.
Skills
Training - Referral and follow-up
(For education/training needed for employability)
The Employment Counselor coordinates all services needed
to see each DSS homelss customer through all the steps from
employment readiness to obtaining and retaining a job. Training
in specific job skills is provided through linkages with
several publicly funded training providers. These include
the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board, Southern
Westchester BOCES, and the Yonkers Public Schools Center
for Continuing Education.
Job
Development/Placement
Emphasis is placed in developing entry-level, career-track
placements that will pay wages significantly higher than
minimum wage. Job Developers are responsible for working
with Employment Counselors to develop appropriate placements
for individual participants, based on their aptitudes and
interests.
Job Rentention Services
After placement on a job, the Employment Counselor takes
the lead in helping the participants to retain their job.
The Employment Counselor assists each participant in preparing
a written emergency back-up plan for transportation, childcare
and health emergencies. The Employment Counselor conducts
individual counseling and group sessions where appropriate,
to reinforce skills learned in the Job Readiness Training
or to work on new skills.
