New Initiatives memo detailing new training program available in certain parts of the state for certification as Mental Health Worker I or Nursing Assistant I.

This memo informs TAO staff that beginning February 12, 2007, the Resource Team at the Springfield Liberty and Worcester TAOs will offer FREE assistance to selected TAFDC and EAEDC recipients in their areas in applying on-line for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits.

Pilot program established pursuant to legislation, currently for Brockton TAO area only. Will respond to FS inquiries and process all RFA's that are mailed, faxed, or dropped off.

A joint program between DTA and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB, the IDA program helps eligible TAFDC clients with active cases accumulate savings to be used for certain vocational educational training programs that qualify for the Federal PELL Grant Program. TADC recipients at the following TAOs may be eligible for a referral: Brockton, Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Milford, Newmarket Square, North Shore, Plymouth, and Revere.

Cambridge College is offering three courses for the Spring 2008 semester for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) clients who are currently residing in shelters in the Boston area. Cambridge College will offer courses in Human Services: Self Care for Helping Professionals, College Writing I and Principles and Process of Adult Learning.  Cambridge College is also offering a program (Bridge to Community College) for those teen parents enrolled in the Young Parents Program (YPP) who are currently earning their General Educational Development (GED)/high school diploma.

The Franklin/Hampshire Employment Training Consortium is beginning a new initiative called the Enhanced Services Program. This new program will help TAFDC clients – both work program required and non-work program required – who would benefit from participating in skills training, job readiness and pre- and post-training job search programs begin the transition to work. Clients who either need skills training to become job ready or are currently job ready should be referred to this program. Through skills training, intensive case management, job readiness activities and job placement and retention provided by the Franklin/Hampshire Employment Training Consortium Enhanced Services Program, it is hoped clients will be better prepared for employment and receive high wages once employed. The Program has a planned start date of March 17, 2008 in the Greenfield TAO and is scheduled to end on June 30, 2008.

Beginning February 1, 2008, DTA will partner with Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) and Clinical and Support Options (a service provider of MBHP) to give our clients with behavioral health symptoms such as, mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety additional access to screenings, assessments and support services. The goal of this initiative is to help these clients overcome barriers to meeting the work program requirement and become employable. This new initiative will initially be offered in the Springfield Liberty TAO through June 30, 2008. If successful, this initiative will be expanded to the Worcester TAO and then statewide.

To help applicants and recipients who have identified a medical disability or a learning disability overcome these barriers to employment, DTA will bring vocational specialists to all TAOs on an incremental basis. The vocational specialist will meet with work program required applicants and clients to assess their service needs, barriers to employment and provide coordination to community support services.   The following TAOs will be the first group to receive the vocational specialist: Brockton, Dudley Square, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, New Bedford, North Shore, Revere and Springfield State.   TAO Staff will be notified as each phase of this new initiative begins. 

A supported work program in collaboration with the Corporation for Public Management, where TAFDC recipients will get entry level clerical positions in DTA offices with intensive supervision and training. It is for clients with substantial barriers, and is currently serving 6 clients.

Attached is a New Initiative Memo on referrals from the Springfield Liberty TAO to the Mass. Behavioral Health Partnership.

Vocational specialists will be introduced to all DTA offices, but starting with Brockon, Dudley Square, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, New Bedford, North Shore, Revere, and Springfield State Street. Certain TAFDC recipients who are subject to but not meeting the work program requirements, and recipients with documentation of a learning disability or who have been screened as possibility having a learning disability will be referred to these specialists.

The Project Hope new initiative will provide supported work services to 10 pre-selected families receiving TAFDC and living in Crittendon-Hastings House. The new initiative is through June 2008 only for the following TAO: Boston Family Housing. The goal of this program is to provide employment and permanent housing for these families.