The importance of an education to career and economic success has never been greater. High School graduates make 38% more than non-grads and those with a Bachelors Degree make 50% more than High School graduates. Given the high unemployment rate and present competition for entry-level jobs it is imperative that young people attain the highest degree possible.

In many cases youth referred to the program will be high school dropouts or youth at risk of becoming a high school dropout. These youth face a high likelihood of becoming young adults who are unemployed or underemployed due to a lack of education and job skills. In addition to not obtaining a high school degree or GED targeted youth lack the basic work readiness skills such as how to fill out a job application, search for employment, prepare for an interview or dress appropriately for a job.

Finally, many of these youth do not have a significant adult in their lives that can model for them the skills needed to obtain employment or assist them in these important areas. The value of mentors and role models is an important variable in motivating young people to identify and pursue educational and vocational goals for themselves.

Implementation and Operational Activities

Participant recruitment, outreach and eligibility determination

CS will create a program brochure describing eligibility requirements, services offered and the referral process. An orientation meeting will be held to familiarize local youth serving agencies in the Virginia Workforce Investment Area (VWIA) about the program services. The brochure will be distributed to the following professionals in the community:

Referrals may be made by fax, phone or online at the Community Solutions website.   Upon receiving the referral, the intake worker will review the application and ensure the WIA program criteria including the following are met:

In-School youth – 1. Must be attending full-time secondary school, 2. Be 16 – 21 years of age, 3. Capable of earning a HS Diploma or GED after 2 consecutive years of program participation. 4. Special programming is provided for 14 – 15 year olds.

Out-of-school youth – 1. 18 – 21 years of age, 2. Either a school dropout or has graduated from high school or holds a GED but is basic skills deficient, 3. Unemployed, 4. Underemployed.

The referring worker will be notified regarding program acceptance.

Program Flow Chart: Sequence

Phase I – Initial Assessment and Service Planning

CS will be responsible for conducting and documenting a comprehensive

assessment of all participants, to include:

• Basic literacy skills
• Occupational skills
• Career Interests
• Career aptitude
• Work readiness skills
• Barriers to employment
• Supportive service needs.

Included will be a meeting with the youth’s parents/guardians to assist in not only the assessment process, but the development of individual goals and service strategies. All recent assessments completed by the school division, DSS, training programs etc. will be reviewed as a part of the assessment. Prior work history and academic history and performance will be reviewed at this time. A variety of tools are available to complete the evaluation (see Attachment _)

Based on the results of the assessment, a determination will be made as to which of the WIA defined ten (10) program elements will be needed by the assessed youth. These key elements will be included in the Individual Service Strategies (ISS) developed by the Career Specialist with the youth and family. Key factors to be considered in the ISS development are literacy, career interests, aptitude, geographic location, employment history and family support.

The ISS includes:

• The identification of long-term and short-term employment goals
• Identification of service providers
• Linkage to supportive services in the community
• Academic needs and remedial services
• Timeline for delivery of services and demonstrated achievement
• Discharge and aftercare plan

Phase II – Workforce Readiness

Phase II begins the implementation of the ISS. The assigned Career Specialist coordinates the comprehensive employment plan as outlined in the ISS incorporating results from the initial assessment. The client-centered approach illustrated below provides a wrap-around paradigm to guide all interventions and teaching throughout the youth’s participation in services:

Portfolio for Success

During this phase youth receive the CS Portfolio for Success toolkit to organize all aspects of their preparation for the world of work. This unique product was developed by CS with input from experts in the field of youth transition and former foster youth. The Portfolio is a client-centered mechanism for youth to organize themselves and gather and store important documentation such as:

• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Resume and work history
• Important contact information
• Letters of reference
• Business cards
• Goal and objective sheets
• Daily and weekly calendar
• School records and transcripts
• Budget preparation materials
• Lifebook worksheets and photos of family and friends
• A place to record significant achievements and milestones

Dressing for Success

Each youth goes shopping to purchase interview attire in preparation for their videotaped practice interview exercise. CS maintains a clothing closet to assist youth in acquiring a workplace wardrobe. Our community partners include barbers and hair stylists who have committed to provide haircuts for men and hair styling for women as an in-kind service. Grooming and dressing for success is a cornerstone of the work readiness phase.

Academic Remediation

Youth identified as basic skills deficient based upon the TABE assessment will participate in remedial tutoring classes in needed areas. The Academic Specialist will develop clear academic objectives to increase literacy one or more education functioning level. Learning will take place utilizing the SkillsTutor online curriculum designed specifically for this population.   CS will utilize community volunteers and peer mentors to assist in this effort. The emphasis of the tutoring is:

1. Prepare the youth to proceed toward the attainment of a high school degree or GED.
2. Improve the youth’s functional reading and math skills which will allow them to more easily gain and maintain employment.
3. If a HS Diploma or GED is not possible due to an intellectual or other cognitive disability the focus of the tutoring will be to specifically address work related expectations.

Work Readiness Classes

Work readiness classes will take place in designated sites (see Attachement __) throughout the VWIA #16 area. Classes will be highly interactive and competency based utilizing the Virginia Work Readiness Curriculum. The Curriculum will prepare the youth to begin their first internship or workplace experience in Phase III. At the conclusion of the Work Readiness classes youth will demonstrate competency in all core areas and domains listed below:

It is in Phase II that the Career Specialist works one-to-one with the youth to identify a realistic and achievable career goal. Two primary career identification tools are available (see Attachment __):

1. The AVSAB Career Exploration Program
2. The ACRN America’s Career Resource Network

Based upon the career assessment results, The Career Specialist will begin the process of moving the youth toward the educational or training placement which will result in successfully meeting their identified goals. The Phase III work site and experience will be predicated upon the youth’s interests, abilities and goals.

Community Solutions Leadership Institute

The Community Solutions Leadership Institute (See Attachment _) will be instrumental in motivating and inspiring participating youth to move forward in attaining their personal goals. CS has assembled a distinguished group of community leaders, educators and successful businessmen and businesswomen to volunteer their time addressing youth in a variety of work and education related topics. These community leaders will encourage responsibility, employability and other positive social behaviors. All youth enrolled in the program will be eligible to attend workshops and sessions that will include the following topics:

• Personal responsibility and decision making
• Exposure to post-secondary educational opportunities
• Teamwork and success
• Positive relationships and social behaviors
• Leadership training
• Time management and decision making
• Finances and budgeting of resources
• Employability and successful work behaviors
• Citizenship training

Guidance and Counseling

Comprehensive guidance and counseling will be initiated in Phase II and provided throughout the program. Services include career and personal counseling and referrals to other mental health resources when necessary based on the identified needs of the youth. During the assessment phase it will be determined what barriers to employment exist and what is the best plan of intervention in helping individuals to overcome these barriers. Barriers to be identified may include:

• Basic skills deficiency
• School drop- out
• Homeless or runaway
• Foster Child
• Offender
• Pregnant or parenting
• Member of a family receiving public assistance
• Public housing resident
• Section 8 housing recipient
• Physical or learning disability
• No paid work history
• Living in a single parent home
• Section 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Behind one (1) or more grade level(s)

Upon completion of the assessment and based on the identified individual needs of the participant they may be referred to a outpatient therapist if they have an underlying mental illness that may be contributing to their ability to obtain or maintain employment. The individual will be assigned a Career Specialist that will work with them providing guidance and case management services and helping them successfully navigate their path to completion of their Individual Service Strategy.

Computers and Technology

It is imperative that youth develop and improve their computer literacy during the course of their program participation. The Average Annual Occupation Growth Study projects a growth rate of 27% over the next 5 years in the computer support field in Hampton Roads. This offers employment opportunities for program participants interested in the computer field. In addition most jobs today require at least a basic knowledge of computers and computing skills. CS has developed relationships with the following partners to help address this prescient issue:

• The Community Solutions Technology Center provides a computer laboratory with 7 PCs for client use.
• B & B Technical Services – A computer networking, software and wiring company.
• Whiz Kid Online – A website design and computer repair company.
• Heart to Heart – A family life and education center specializing in enhancing computer literacy skills for high-risk youth.
• SH Clarke Academy, Portsmouth Public Schools – A complete computer laboratory available to program participants.
• Web Teks – An eBusiness company specializing in web application development.
  • Geeks on Call – A computer repair and online support company

Peer Mentoring

Through our partnership with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia CS will offer an extensive peer mentoring program component for 14 – 18 year olds. The Clubs have committed to designate 21 teens within the 9 club units throughout the Virginia Workforce Investment Area (VWIA) #16 and afford them the opportunity to work as Junior Staffers during the school year and summer months. Assuming the dual role as Members and Junior Staffers, they will be given Leadership Development opportunities through Career Launch, a national program of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in partnership with the GAP Foundation. Peer mentors will be given supervisory responsibility over their peers and club members through every program and activity the club offers.   In their role as Junior Staffers, these teens will be given responsibility as tutors, as coordinators for community volunteers, and as role models for the younger club members.

Ongoing Case Management

The Career Specialists and Academic Specialists will serve as the ongoing Case Managers throughout the youth’s participation in the program. Community Solutions has been providing case management services for the youth and young adults in the Hampton Roads community since our company’s inception in 2000. CS adheres to the philosophy that the client is at the center of the services provided, but also believe that the client’s family involvement is an integral part in the client’s success. Case management responsibilities include:

 

• Preparing and coordinating the comprehensive employment plan incorporating results from the comprehensive assessment
• Developing the service strategies that will be outlined in the Individual Service Strategy
• Ensuring a suitable match to the necessary workforce investment activities and supportive services, using where feasible, computer-based technologies
• Providing job and career counseling during program participation and after job placement

Phase III – Career and Educational Placement

Phase III is designed to give youth the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the work readiness phase of the program. Placement is determined by the results of the Career Assessment, the TABE results, transportation availability and the youth’s expressed interest. CS has developed relationships with a variety of employers representing a number of different industries (see Attachment _ ). The Program will offer the following variety of workplace experiences:

The intent is to help youth integrate the basic academic skills into work activities through supported work, work adjustment, and transitional activities. These work experiences may include paid work experiences, apprenticeships, job shadowing, entrepreneurship, community service and informational interviewing opportunities. Project youth gain exposure to the working world and its requirements and involvement in progressively more complex work tasks.

The identified work experiences will help involved youth acquire the personal attributes, knowledge, and skills they will need to obtain a job and advance in employment and improve workplace skills and the goals of work such as those that have been identified by the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS). The purpose of the work experience is to provide the youth participant with the opportunities for career exploration and skill development.

Business and Organizational Partnerships

CS is partnering with over 30 businesses and organizations to provide clients with a wide array of experiences and exposure to various aspects of industry. It is through these partnerships, collaborations and relationships that the Passport to Success Program will achieve its stated goals. In each case listed below the organization has committed to work closely with CS in this endeavor (see attached letters of support) Key partners and their roles include:

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia provides 9 program sites in the catchment area. In addition this collaboration adds a strong and proven peer mentoring component designed to prevent school dropout.
• Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads Inc. is committing their best practice curriculum tools and entrepreneurial teaching experience to the project.
• Department of Rehabilitative Services is available to assess youth who face special challenges due to a disabling condition.
• Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is committing members to provide job shadowing opportunities, participate in the CS Leadership Development Institute and support this endeavor in the business community.
• Job Corps assists youth in obtaining a GED, achieving certifications in various career fields and placing graduating youth in full time positions.   CS has enjoyed a 7 year collaborative partnership with Job Corps.
• Tidewater Builders Association is an ideal partner for youth interested in pursuing a career in one of the building trades. Several CS alumni have participated in this highly effective training program.
• Virginia Employment Commission has committed to offering presentation sessions to program youth on services offered by VEC and conducting free sessions on interviewing techniques, resume writing and referrals to suitable job openings.
• Eggleston Services is offering job opportunities in various service sectors including landscaping food service, laundry, custodial and grounds maintenance for youth with unique barriers to employment.
• TowneBank has committed to providing paid summer jobs, internships for youth and personnel to donate time teaching youth basics in finance, responsibility and on-the-job positive behaviors.
• Old Dominion University will provide a variety of work experiences in their various departments through the facilities management operation.

Many of our partnerships are with small and medium size businesses that will offer youth vocational opportunities in a variety of fields. A partial list of occupational opportunities available if awarded this contract includes:

CS will be responsible for the development and execution of a formal worksite agreement with participating employers. This agreement will stipulate the roles and responsibilities of each party and identify the duties and expectations for the job or activity to be provided, as well as, the terms, conditions, stipulations and assurances related to the relationship. All such relationships will include supervisor and participant orientations prior to commencement.

Entrepreneurship

Through the commitment of in-kind services and the collaboration with Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads CS is prepared to implement a unique entrepreneurial experience for program youth demonstrating the aptitude and interest to operate their own business.   The competencies and methodologies used to develop these businesses are contained in the “JA Be Entrepreneurial” curriculum. Included are a number of areas of learning including:

• Business ethics
• Marketing strategies
• Building a business plan
• Product development
• Podcasts to promote business

CS is prepared to develop and operate the 3 businesses listed below operated under the umbrella CS Enterprises to provide the entrepreneurial experience. Each business is provided as a result of an in-kind donation to cover the start-up costs.

1. As in any work environment, but in particular as the foundation is being laid for these young adults to develop skills that they will carry into the work world they will be provided with daily performance evaluation. The participant worksite performance evaluation tool being utilized by CS can be found in attachment #
   1. Program staffing:

A copy of the program organizational chart and description of staff job responsibilities can be found in attachments #

1. Participant performance incentives – Need ideas
2. Fiscal management, including participants payments and method,

• Maintaining participant enrollment
• Service activity
• Outcome records
• Documenting and verifying applicable performance metrics
• Entering information into the Virginia WIA Participant Tracking System (VOS), on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Specific participant reports will be provided to Opportunity Inc. upon request.
• CS will maintain a system that is sufficient for the accurate and timely accounting and reporting of all financial transactions under the contract.

1. Individual Service Strategy (ISS) development and review to include:

• Identifying short and long term goals of employment and/or program
• Appropriate achievement objectives
• Specific program services for the participant based on the assessments
• Identification of service providers
• Timeline for the delivery of services and demonstrated achievement
• ISS developed within 30 days of the date of program enrollment and reviewed every 60 days thereafter
• Attachment # a sample of an ISS form

1. Records management and participant reporting

• Participant enrollment including service activity and outcome records
• Documentation and verifying applicable performance, metrics and entering information into the Virginia WIA Participant Tracking System (VOS), on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Participant reports will be provided to Opportunity Inc. upon request.

1. Program staff development

• All program staff will complete the CS New Employee Orientation training as well as program specific training as related to the services delivered under the RFP. In addition all staff hired will complete the appropriate background checks necessary for employment with CS, to include: DMV, Criminal History, Child Protective Service review, FBI finger print checks. (am I missing any others?)
• All worksite employers will have an orientation to the program prior to participants starting at their site.

1. Sequence of program activities and services (attach flowchart with timeline for the delivery of program services)

(youth referred, assessment completed, interview arranged, interview coaching and preparation, interview, placement, orientation and training and follow-up.

1. Participant supportive services – services that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in program activities. Primarily provided through referrals to various community resource organizations.

• Transportation, child care, dependent care, housing, referral to medical services, work and/or training related tools, materials, supplies, attire (we can put in here the hair salons, etc.)

1. Commitment to use the Work readiness training and competency evaluation (VA Workplace Readiness Skills product, already purchased)

10. Participant attendance tracking, internal monitoring and eligibility/participant records quality control

• Participant enrollment including service activity and outcome records
• Documentation and verifying applicable performance, metrics and entering information into the Virginia WIA Participant Tracking System (VOS), on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Participant reports will be provided to Opportunity Inc. upon request.

11. Comprehensive guidance and counseling – provided to youth throughout their program participation. Delivered by staff and include career and personal counseling and referrals to other sources of counseling based on the identified needs of the youth. During the assessment phase it will be determined what barriers to employment exist and what is the best plan of intervention in helping individuals to overcome these barriers. Barriers to be identified may include:

• Basic skills deficiency
• School drop- out
• Homeless or runaway
• Foster Child
• Offender
• Pregnant or parenting
• Member of a family receiving public assistance
• Public housing resident
• Section 8 housing recipient
• Physical or learning disability
• No paid work history
• Living in a single parent home
• Section 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Behind one (1) or more grade level(s)

Upon completion of the assessment and based on the identified individual needs of the participant they may be referred to a outpatient therapist if they have an underlying mental illness that may be contributing to their ability to obtain or maintain employment.   The individual will be assigned a Career Specialist that will work with them providing guidance and case management services and helping them successfully navigate their path to completion of their Individual Service Strategy.

12. Leadership Development activities (attach our chart of committed speakers)CS has assembled a distinguished group of community leaders, educators, successful business persons, men and woman who have agreed to be a part of the CS Leadership Development Institute. These community leaders will encourage responsibility, employability and other positive social behaviors. The list of speakers and topics can be found in attachment # The topics they will address include, but are not limited to:

• Exposure to post-secondary educational opportunities
• Community and service learning projects
• Peer- centered activities, including peer mentoring and tutoring organizational and teamwork training, including team leadership training
• Training in decision making and determining priorities and;
• Citizenship training, including life skills training such as parenting, work behavior training, and budgeting resources.

13. Participant grievance process – As an agency licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services CS adheres to the departments Human Rights Policy ensuring that all clients are:

• To be treated with dignity and respect
• To be told about their treatment
• To have a say in their treatment
• To speak to others in private
• To have their complaints resolved
• To say what they prefer
• To ask questions and to be told about their rights
• To get help with their rights

Therefore, it is Community Solutions intention to follow this policy with the participants of the proposed project. Each participant will be made aware of these rights at the beginning of their involvement with the agency and will have the name and number of the Passport Executive Director available to them if they feel that their rights are being violated in any way.

CS will provide the participants with training and information on the Grievance process and their rights during their Orientation. Attachment # has a copy of the CS Grievance policy and form that will be used in the event of a participant grievance.

14. Sites where program services will be provided (attach projected schedule and locations)CS has partnered with a variety of schools and facilities that can be found in attachment #to afford the participants the opportunity to experience paid and unpaid work experiences, summer employment, job shadowing, informational interviewing and internship activities. As well as a safe place for them to have classes in educational and vocational preparation.

15. Participant evaluation process and criteria

CS will conduct pre and post tests in order to measure actual performance outcomes for participants and in addition with internships and employment placements we will use a Daily employee evaluation tool see Attachment #(Jeff’s tool modified)that provides the participant with daily feedback in the identified areas suitable for employability, such as punctuality, positive attitude, completes tasks, responsible worker, team player, initiative, proper work attire, proper language and customer service.

Post-exit participant follow-up services will be provided by Opportunity Inc based on the participant contact and outcome information provided to them by CS.

16. Linkage with and support from the business community.

CS has enlisted the support and commitment of a wide array of businesses in the Virginia Workforce Investment Area VWIA #16 to participate in the CS Leadership Development Institute; with Hampton Roads business leaders and professionals encouraging responsibility, employability, educational presentations and helping to foster positive social behaviors in the participants.

Coordination and collaboration with community resource organizations in order to deliver the program services (Attach a list with contact information) Our Hampton Roads business partners listed in Attachment #have agreed to provide both paid and unpaid employment experiences, internships, apprenticeships, opportunities for job shadowing , informational interviewing and summer employment opportunities to provide youth based on their assessed need and areas of interest with practical exposure to the working world and its requirements and the opportunity for career exploration and skill development.

17. Proposed quantitative participant performance outcomes for: ETO perhaps?

CS will conduct and document the comprehensive assessment of all program participants that will include assessing basic skills, occupational skills, interests, aptitude, work readiness skills, barriers and supportive service needs. The assessment tools that will be utilized in the project can be found on attachment # If through the objective assessment it is indicated that the participant is in need of any of the WIA defined ten (10) program elements Community Solutions is prepared to fulfill those needs. Participant outcomes are based on the identified needs of the individuals.

In- School youth Program Objectives will include:

School drop-out prevention, high school graduation or equivalent, enrollment into post-secondary education and/or advanced training/occupational skills training or the obtainment of employment, which may include the military. The participants will also be able to demonstrate proficiency in work readiness skills, through the administration of the Virginia’s Workplace Readiness Skills product .

The Out of School youth objectives will include the following:

Participant obtainment of full – time unsubsidized employment, including the military; attainment of a recognized credential; enrollment into post-secondary education and/or advanced training/occupational skills training and demonstrated proficiency in work readiness skills as evidenced by the results of the Virginia’s Workplace Readiness Skills Curriculum. Any areas of deficiency in their occupational skills will result in training being conducted utilizing the curriculum from the Workplace Readiness skills program by their career specialist.

If the Out of School participants are assessed to be basic skills deficient through the administration and results of the TABE they will be provided with academic remediation services utilizing the Skills Bank 5 curriculum and the expected outcome will be for them to increase their literacy/numeracy score by one (1) or more education functioning levels by the end of the first year of their program participation.

Occupational training sites and providers within the Hampton Roads Business Community that have committed to be partners in the CS proposal can be found in Attachment # . CS will have a formal worksite agreement with each of the employers that agree to participate in paid and unpaid work experiences, summer employment, job shadowing and internship activities. Each employer and participant will participate in orientation prior to youth being placed. A copy of the worksite agreement can be found in attachment #

The career specialist will assist youth to determine eligibility for any federal or other financial aid resources, such as Pell Grants, and this will be utilized to cover the services for the eligible youth.

CS anticipates serving 100 out of school participants through the project.

How the WIA Youth Program Elements that participants are assessed to be in need of, which are not directly provided by the proposing organization, will be provided through other community resources.

CS feels confident that we have put together a comprehensive array of services that can meet the needs of the participants that are identified through the assessment and do not anticipate the need to refer out to other community resources, but if the need arises we will be prudent in our use of community resource organizations to deliver the needed services.