NS - Work First Block Grant Local Plan 10-21-2008-4d

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19 engagement, a "no excuses" atmosphere, significant rewazds for accomplishments, and a driven and committed staff. These components work together to empower participants in the class to take control of their lives and make changes required to gain lasting employment. The curriculum is very extensive and clients leave the class with a high level of confidence in their abilities as a result. The class begins with life-skills training that sets the foundation for the rest of the course. Two weeks of work experience training in addition to supplemental in-class sessions allow participants to make mistakes in worry-free environment. The work experience sessions aze divided to allow time for feedback and work improvement. There aze 7 weeks of employability training. The class has involved collaboration with Durham Technical Community College, the Dispute Settlement Center, Cooperative Extension, The Orange county Skills Development Center, the Women's Center, IIK Consulting (financial literacy), and the Employment Security Commission. In addition to the classroom skills, participants aze assisted in developing strong interpersonal skills through a series of projects and assignments. This facet of the class helps clients prepaze for work and life by helping them to build effective relationships with one another, hold themselves accountable for individual actions, work as a team, rebuild broken family relationships, build healthy coping skills, and develop a personal mission statement and life goals. The class is effective because of its unique blend of education and training combined with motivation and support. Other components of grant aze: • A job coach to assist participants with life management skills necessary to manage home, meet the development and educational needs of their children, and enforce workplace behaviors (punctuality, attendance, positive attitudes and work attire). • A medical social worker to assess persons with disabilities, serious health and mental health problems, learning disabilities and other barriers; to follow through on strategies for independence. The social worker completes a comprehensive assessment of participants and provides intensive case management. Social worker assists with completion of SSI applications and gathers all the required documentation. Referrals are made and transportation is provided. • Incentives for participants in work activities. Incentives to be used are gift cazds, gas cards, clothing allowances, and a $3,000 car allowance for su. wining employment for 6 months. Transuortation Initiative A transportation coordinator works individually with Work First clients to arrange transportation for employment or other work-related activities. This position is funded in collaboration with Orange Public Transportation and Work First. In addition, this position coordinates the Wheels for Work Caz Donation Program. Fifteen Work First participants and 15 working low-income families received cars in fiscal yeaz 2006-2007. Transitional Funds from NC Department of Transportation were used to assist 52 former Work First participants in obtaining and maintaining transportation resources.