Job Advancement Services Available to Working Poor

Are you distributing food boxes to families in which the parents are employed? Is there something wrong with that picture?

Working families make up a growing portion of the population seeking help from pantries and cupboards. Behind this simple fact lies a tragic shift in our way of life. For too many parents, work doesn't pay enough to keep the children fed.

In response, the PA Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is offering job retention and advancement services to parents who have never been on welfare but whose incomes are below 235 percent of poverty. The purpose of this change, which began in May, is to ensure that low-wage parents succeed in their current jobs and move to better employment through increased wages.

DPW has contracted with 77 agencies in 34 counties to provide these services. Contractors include community action agencies, community colleges, and local technical schools. In the remaining 33 counties, DPW will add money to other contracts to ensure the services are available. In total, DPW has $17 million for this purpose in the coming year, up from $12 million in 2000-01 and $8 million in 1999-00. If successful, it will spend $17 million annually for at least an additional three years.

David Florey, Director of the DPW Bureau of Employment and Training, has asked community organizations to publicize the availability of these services. A pamphlet describing specific services and identifying local service providers is in the works. In the meantime, to identify the contractor for your area, e-mail: dflorey@state.pa.us.

To qualify for advancement services, low-wage parents should contact the local contractor. No application to the local county assistance office is necessary. Specific services that may be available include "almost anything that works," according to Florey. Examples include job coaching, tools, incentives, skills training and transportation.

DPW expects 5,500 parents will benefit from this service in the coming year. Based on a budget of $17 million, the average value of the services offered will be nearly $3,100 per participating parent.

The performance of local contractors will be evaluated by the success of participants. Three goals have been set: (a) 60 percent of participants will retain their current jobs for at least 6 months; (b) 60 percent will increase gross pay by 25 percent for at least two consecutive months; and (c) 60 percent of those who lose their jobs will be re-employed within 14 days.

The service is funded through TANF. By participating, parents will benefit through higher earnings and also will be categorically eligible for the Food Stamp Program, which means they will not be subject to the usual asset limit.

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