WORKFIRST: EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Contact: Kelly Lindseth
Employment Security Department
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Telephone: (360) 407-1315
E-mail: klindseth@esd.wa.gov

State Website: www.workfirst.wa.gov

Participation: Over 6,400 people per month were served by the Employment Security Department’s WorkFirst Program-Employment Services between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

Who is Served: Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for Washington’s WorkFirst program.

Program Description: Employment Security Department (ESD) is the WorkFirst partner responsible for providing intensive employment services (Job Search) to WorkFirst job seekers. These services are provided through local WorkSource offices and some Community Services Offices. ESD also provides contracted employment services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents in Eastern Washington. What separates WorkFirst employment services from general labor exchange is the intensive case management, job coaching and in-depth assessment participants receive.

Employment services include:

• In-depth assessment of work skills and education.
• Intensive one-one-one case management, employment counseling and job coaching.
• Employment assets workshops (resume completion, interviewing, master application completion).
• Quality job matches and job referrals.
• Job development and On-the-Job Training opportunities.
• Ongoing job retention and wage progression career planning services (Workers and Careers Program).

Note: Parents are required to participate as outlined on their Individual Responsibility Plan estabished by the Department of Social and Health Services.

Program Reporting Requirements: States face federal restrictions on the types of activities that can count towards participation. ESD, as a WorkFirst partner, is required to document and report participation to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in activities it directly provides to parents engaged in employment services.

Other Program Characteristics: In response to the Governor’s charge to redesign employment services for WorkFirst participants, ESD implemented the WorkFirst Career Scope pilot in six offices in July 2011. Career Scope is a four-phased WorkFirst employment services and career development pathway designed to engage participants differently in their employment success.Career Scope expands the use of up-front, strengths-based employment assessments to determine work readiness and career pathways, and provides individualized flexible employment pathways (Coach Assisted, Coach Supported, and Coach Supervised ) for optimal engagement.  Evaluations of the pilots began in October 2011 and should be completed by December 2012. ESD will roll out this new model of employment services in July 2012.

Program History: WorkFirst went into effect in 1997 after the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act repealed and consolidated the Aid to Families With Dependent Children, Job Opportunities and Basic Skills, and Emergency Assistance programs into TANF. Underlying the WorkFirst philosophy is the expectation that everyone who is able to work should be working, preparing for work, or looking for work.

Planning Cycle: Annual. 

Outcome Measures: Federal, state, and agency measures include:

• Entered employment rate.

• Wages at employment.

• Time returning to work after receiving a service.

Funding and Regional Division: ESD’s WorkFirst Services are distributed to 12 ESD WorkSource area directors to provide program services through local WorkSource centers, ESD affiliate sites, or DSHS offices.

State Funding: None.

Federal Funding: $16,200,000 (July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012), TANF Block Grant funds.

Statutory Authority: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Major portions of the Act are administered by DSHS, including TANF and the WorkFirst program.