AMERICA WORKS, INC. – CRIMINALJUSTICE PROGRAM (NY)

Program Description
Created in 1984 by Peter Cove, America Works acts as a for-profit job placement agency providing companies with candidates for entry-level positions. America Works traditionally targets hard-to-serve welfare recipients and helps clients obtain employment in the private sector by providing job training, work readiness, skills building, job placement, and support services. As an incentive to employers to hire its trained participants, America Works offers tax credits, human resources support, no initial placement fees, and pre-screened employees.

A few years ago, America Works recognized the increase in returning prisoners and that many of its welfare participants were former offenders themselves. In July 2001, the organization extended its services to individuals who were formerly incarcerated through its Criminal Justice Program. While the Criminal Justice program operates in New York, America Works has offices in New York City, Albany, Indianapolis, and Baltimore. Its strategy to help former offenders is based on the same model used to help welfare recipients, except that staff at America Works spend more time addressing issues specific to former offenders, such as criminal records as a barrier to employment. America Works’ supportive model that is used for its welfare clients as well as participants who are former offenders, includes:

• Job Readiness. America Works’ clients begin with job readiness in training for up to four weeks. The training focuses on basic skills that are necessary in a work environment: interviewing techniques, resume building, work behavior, and work attire. During this time, America Works organizes interviews with potential employers, and many clients are placed in jobs during this initial job search period.
• Job Placement. America Works places clients in various jobs such as receptionist, secretary, word processor, mailroom clerk, factory, and security worker, among others.
• Supported Work. During this phase, clients are placed at companies for up to a four-month training period. America Works provides four months of training and companies pay participants an hourly wage (this provides matching funds of government contracts). America Works is the employer during these four months and provides supportive services for clients. Afterwards, unsubsidized employment is secured at the same job. However, not all of the clients go through supported work; some will go directly into unsubsidized positions.
• Unsubsidized Placement: Companies sign contracts with America Works stating that each client with satisfactory performance will be hired into an unsubsidized position after the supported work phase.
• Case Management: A case manager will meet with the client’s work supervisor and with the client to help coordinate and facilitate any services that the client may need.
• Job Retention Services: The case manager meets at least once a week with the client to coordinate job retention services and to monitor a client’s success. America Works ensures at least six months of retention at unsubsidized jobs.
• Supportive Services: America Works communicates and networks with social service providers to meet the needs of clients.
• Advancement Services: America Works encourages clients to enhance their skills and strives to place them in jobs that have room for growth and advancement.

Program Goals
The Criminal Justice Program operates as a for-profit, market driven job placement agency that aims to move former offenders successfully into the job market.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
America Works has made successful partnerships in several cities and states. Partners include businesses and all types of service providers.

Outcomes
In 2002, the Manhattan Institute presented a case study of America Works focusing on the Criminal Justice Program. During the first year, the Criminal Justice Program received 891 referrals. Out of the 891, 501 completed the first day of orientation; of those, America Works placed 389 (77.6 percent) into jobs. Of the 389 placed, 173 (44.5 percent) retained their job for at least 90 days. Ninety clients held their jobs for over six months (the 90 clients represent 41.5 percent of the 217 who could have reached the six month timeframe during the time of the Manhattan Institute’s study). Those 90 clients had jobs in the following areas: manual labor (51percent), sales-service (19 percent), administrative (13 percent), food service (11 percent), professional (4 percent), and security (2 percent).

Additional Reading
•America Works' Criminal Justice Program: Providing Second Chances Through Work. By Dr. William B. Eimicke and Dr. Steven Cohen of Columbia University. (http://www.manhattaninstitute. org/cb_29,pdf).

Click here for a PDF of all Employment Sample Programs (220k)