MOVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS & REFUGEES TOWARD SUSTAINABLE CAREER PATHWAYS

1. Kristina Meza, CalFresh Employment & Training Section Chief California Department of Social Services WORKCON, May 16, 2019 MOVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS & REFUGEES TOWARD SUSTAINABLE CAREER PATHWAYS

2. Lessons Learned Partnership • Increased collaboration at the state level in implementing the project • Increased collaboration on the ground deepening partnerships • Both critical to working through challenges and prioritizing participant needs Community Based Organizations @ the Table • Title I WIOA system lacked the experience CBOs had on how to serve ELLs on a large scale- together they leveraged each partners strengths • Partnering with CBOs helped educate the system • In some cases CBO best practices were adopted: cross training, developing join outreach strategies, etc. Investment & Policy/Program Alignment • We increased awareness about the need to serve ELLs • Now we need to continue to match that awareness with greater investment and Policy/Program alignment to remove barriers and facilitate coordination

3. Lessons Learned Program Design- Collaboration • The ELL population we served was beginning/ intermediate ESL, and overwhelming had less than HS Diploma • This population was less skilled than the general WIOA Title I population we serve • Program design and partnership for this population is critical Navigator Model • Navigators were critical, they reflected the community- race/ethnicity, language and shared experiences. • They helped support participants, identify their needs and connect to services. System & Data Collection • We need to increase our knowledge of each others programs and how to most strategically leverage services and funding. • We need to have clarity about the data each program collects and use that data in meaningful ways.

4. Outcomes • ELL Participant outcomes were on par or higher than the general population. • Navigation support, warm hand-offs, shared case management and collocated staff helped support Co-enrollment. • Navigators performed a wide range of functions that led to program and customer success. • Deepening partnerships to create customized education and employment opportunities for ELLs was critical to success.

5. Sonoma County Intensive English Class

6. Partners Vision • Collaboration by bringing together community partners (line staff) • Increasing WIOA enrollment • Offering needed supportive services to access the class. • Employer involvement- Role Models and Mentorship opportunities • Vocationally focused • Offering class to undocumented • Case management throughout the process • Vocational Assessment • On-going support • Preparation for job search • Soft Skills • Networking skills • Sharing Community Resources • Financial Literacy • Self Employment resources Non Profits • California Human Development • La Luz Sonoma • Sonoma County Community Action Partnership • Corazon Healdsburg • Catholic Charities Public Agencies • Employment Development Department • Job Link (WIOA) • SonomaWORKS • County of Sonoma Human Resources • Department of Rehabilitation • Sonoma County Economic Development Board Private • Chamber of Commerce • Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education • Petaluma Adult School • Santa Rosa Junior College

7. Intake Hospitality Presentation & Job Fair Interview Clothes Bloom Hispanic Chamber Mixer Employer Panel Elevator Speech/Perfect Attendance Presentation Mock Interviews Case Management Employment

8. Quotes from Students “I learned more English, computer, write documents, search for jobs and internet, fair job, send e-mail” “This program is very different than regular adult ESL and there are many people looking for something different to get prepared for a job. It is a serious program with attendance rules and it is an intensive program 4 days a week 4 hours a day ” “It opened my mind to new possibilities of personal growth, with abilities and skills I already have and had no idea they were there. Apart from improving my English, it has showed me my true vocation and what I can accomplish with passion” “I have more knowledge of the English language, and I think I'm ready to take risks in my life”

9. Mock Interviews with Bloom Outfits

10. The IRC in San Diego • Founded in 1933 at the suggestion of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in over 40 countries and 25 U.S Cities • International Rescue Committee in San Diego was established in 1975 • IRC San Diego staff represent the diverse communities we serve with staff hailing from over 40 different countries and speaking over two-dozen different languages.

11. Center for Financial Opportunity – Diverse Funding Portfolio Braided funding allows for seamless integrated service delivery and wraparound services for all clients accessing CFO services. DOL, HUD, ORR, SBA, CRA, Employer Foundations, Philanthropic Institutions, and Social Enterprise

12. Early Employment and VESL for TANF clients • VESL is an ORR PT and WIOA II funded comprehensive class that builds necessary English, employability, financial literacy, transportation skills, and computer skills • VESL prepares these adults to take entry-level jobs that are central to our local economy • In partnership with local AJCC’s, clients are placed in employment • 319 ELL individual secured jobs through IRC programs in FY18

13. CP SERVICES • Integrated EL Civics with IET • Credential • Individualized Career Coaching • Career Placements • Financial Literacy Career Development in Partnership with AJCCs CP Successes Since 2016 Credentials Earned: 190 Job Placements: 132 Average Wage Yr. 3: $15.20 P/H Net Worth Increases: 78 Net Income Increases: 99 Credit Score Increases: 65