African Community Housing & Development (ACHD)’s Post

Please join TEBG this Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 at the Tulsa Country Club (701 N Union) at 11:30 for luncheon, networking and education. The cost is $40, which includes the meal. Credit with SHRM and HRCI will be provided. To RSVP email Cheri McAlester, Membership Director, at cheri_mcalester@hcsc.net or Jill Lingle, President at jlingle@flintco.com. We hope to see you there. In the benefits world, we are constantly striving to balance the desire to serve our customers – our employees – with the needs of our companies to control costs and support productivity. That’s where our creativity comes in handy.                An organization like Goodwill Industries can be a great partner to reach multiple goals. Their vision states, “With your help, we can create a community where all people have the training and opportunities they need to be successful in the workplace, regardless of the barriers to employment they must overcome.”   Goodwill offers a variety of programs such as:                Overcome Obstacles                              Disability                              Insufficient Education Poverty and/or underemployment Homelessness Re-entering the workforce                              TulsaWORKS Career Academy                              Vocational Services                 Our employees may benefit from these services. Or they may have a parent, sibling, child or friend who could benefit. And our employees may just need to know who to call to get started.                Also, many of us have need of a dependable and eager workforce. Check out the “Subcontract Department” at Goodwill. Whirpool, AAA and Roto Hammer have done so. Goodwill has a workforce trained for janitorial services and other entry level work as well as persons certified in IT work, Marketing, Data Analytics and other professional fields.                Goodwill may also be a resource for outplacement of certain employees who have been laid off for lack of work. If Goodwill could assist such a person to increase their job skills, and/or enhance their educational background, the individual may be able to locate more robust employment opportunities.

To help foster care recruitment agencies address one of the most common pain points in today's recruitment landscape, teen placements, we've developed a workbook titled: How to Recruit and Develop Foster Homes for Teens and Challenging Youth This resource is packed with great tips, stories, and guidance on building or improving your recruitment system and reaching more prospects. The main thing this guide does, however, is ask the right questions to help you think through steps so you are building something that works for you in the context of your unique setting. Access your copy here: https://loom.ly/t0SsJS4 #FamilyRecruitment #FosterCare #FosterFamilyRecruitment

In foster family recruitment, a one-size-fits-all approach often falls short. To effectively reach specific groups, like those willing to foster teenagers or children in Intensive Treatment programs, a targeted strategy is essential. Here's how we did it: 1️⃣ Do Your Homework: We dove into the latest research to identify key target groups: teachers and group home employees. 2️⃣ Combine the New with the Old: We integrated new insights with our 25+ years of field experience to create a cohesive strategy. 3️⃣ Take an Educated Guess: We established a hypothesis: If we do A and B, we'll achieve C. This helped us focus our efforts creatively. 4️⃣ Map out the Plan: We developed a detailed action plan, assigned tasks, and identified potential barriers with solutions. 🔄 Implement and Adjust: Testing our hypothesis, we continually measure and adjust our approach to find the perfect formula for success. Ready to refine your recruitment strategy? Explore our resources that can help you: https://loom.ly/NXEQ8N0 #FamilyRecruitment #FosterCare #FosterFamilyRecruitment

We're thrilled to share our latest blog post: "Being There: Supporting Your Loved One THROUGH RELEASE." READ NOW AT https://lnkd.in/gJF4daXY Navigating the journey of reentry can be daunting, but with the right support, it becomes manageable. As your loved one approaches their release date, it's crucial to shift gears and start preparing for their return to society. From discussing expectations to creating a comprehensive plan, our blog post outlines practical steps to ensure a smooth transition. We delve into essential topics such as finding employment, securing housing, and understanding parole requirements. Plus, we address unique challenges like supporting minors or individuals with specific needs. It's all about fostering a supportive environment while empowering your loved one to reclaim their life. But it's not just about them—it's about you too. We recognize the impact this transition can have on your own life and relationships. That's why we offer tips on self-care and managing your own expectations throughout this process. Ready to embark on this journey of support and empowerment? Dive into our blog post for valuable insights and guidance. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those transitioning from incarceration to freedom. READ NOW AT https://lnkd.in/gJF4daXY #SupportThroughRelease #Empowerment #PrisonerReentry #CommunitySupport #NewBeginnings #Release #LentenReflections

🌟 Supporting Successful Transitions: The Role of Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) 🌟 As someone deeply involved in residential reentry, I’ve seen firsthand the vital role that Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs) play in supporting individuals during one of the most critical phases of their lives. RRCs provide a structured and supportive environment, offering key resources like employment assistance, counseling, and life skills development to those reentering society after incarceration. But the work doesn't stop there. It’s about more than just a place to stay—it’s about providing hope, opportunity, and a second chance. These programs create a bridge that allows individuals to regain stability, rebuild connections, and reintegrate as positive contributors to their communities. If you're passionate about fostering positive change or want to learn more about how we can strengthen our communities through reentry initiatives, let’s connect! Together, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive society. #SouthernMissouriReentry #Reentry #SecondChances #CommunitySupport #ResidentialReentry #SocialImpact #HopeForAll

In my latest column for Business News Magazine, I had the privilege of working with a very inspiring woman, Amy Clark, member of the Disability Assembly WA and a warrior in the #disabilityemployment space. There are approximately 100,000 #jobseekers with a disability in Western Australia. Yet we are still waiting for a government response to the 11 disability employment recommendations made by the #DisabilityRoyalCommission.    The #socialprocurement framework adopted by Victorian Government has been recognised as the ‘gold standard’. Since it was introduced, almost 1,000 jobs have been created for marginalised jobseekers, mainly from construction works. During the first two years, road and rail builds alone generated 8,000 hours of employment for Victorians with disability, as well as twenty training placements in the transport industry. Western Australia’s record $43.9 billion infrastructure pipeline presents the same opportunity. Spent wisely, that investment could unlock jobs and career pathways for people with disability, sans any added pressure on the public purse. There is so much #opportunity in this space. Time for our governments to follow Victoria’s example and take definitive and impactful action.   You can find out more on this link below. Just head to page 55 of the current Business News Magazine. (Please note that this is behind a paywall and requires a Business News subscription to read in full).

Learn more about customized employment pilot project in Arizona. This informational session is geared toward employment providers.

Through funding from the CIty of Jersey City-Office of Division of Community Development, SCORES Reentry is pleased to create the Jersey City Peace Collaborative, an initiative that not only supports our community, but our stakeholders who are working towards creating a more peaceful, quality of life for all. Please see attached flier for details. This groundbreaking work intensely examines the role of reentry services and its role in public safety. Research has consistently shown a concerning pattern post-incarceration: returning citizens frequently are confronted in their lives with the very same at-risk factors that initially precipitated their incarceration––from homelessness, mental health challenges, and entrenched poverty to the throes of addiction (O’Hear, 2007). Moreover, upon their reintegration into society, these individuals often grapple with profound feelings of poor self-efficacy, lack of belonging, negative perceptions of social support and criminogenic cognitions. Such feelings can be attributed to the erosion of their social capital, a consequence of their prolonged separation and potential isolation from their primary social support networks. This detachment can exacerbate their vulnerabilities and further impede their successful reintegration (Cochran, 2014). Since a person’s sense of belonging is strongly connected to their perception of their role in society and criminogenic cognitions, a negative view on such role can have far-reaching implications for community well-being and public safety. We are proud of the opportunity to explore reentry services through this lens.🔥 We hope to see you!

🌟 Supporting One Means Supporting Many 🌟 When someone applies for a job, it's not just an individual effort—it's their whole family waiting for that opportunity. Behind every application, there are loved ones counting on that person to earn and support them. Often, there's only one breadwinner looking after both the young and the elderly. By making the hiring process a little easier or extending a helping hand, you're not just aiding one person; you're uplifting an entire family. Your support can change lives and create a ripple effect of positive impact. Remember, your few kind words or actions can transform someone's future. Let's help each other and make a difference. 💼💖 #JobSupport #FamilyImpact #ChangeLives #HiringWithHeart #CommunityCare

From ABLE National Resource Center: "Working a summer job can result in a real boost for ABLE savings...SSI beneficiaries under the age of 22 who work and attend school regularly are encouraged to work and use the Student Earned Income Exclusion work support. With Social Security Administration (SSA) approval, up to $2,290 per month in earnings and up to $9,230 in earnings per year will not reduce SSI. And, if this money (and more) is saved in an ABLE account, it will not affect the youth’s SSI payment. These supports can be a game changer, helping to build self-confidence and laying the foundation for employment, regular earnings, savings and investing with ABLE into the future!" https://lnkd.in/g-EDNmFd