CJFS Workforce Strategy VISTA

As an AmeriCorps member in the VISTA program, you will support an organization to make sustainable change in areas that effect poverty, including education, public health, climate, access to benefits, and more. Through activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment, you will gain professional experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares you for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (CJFS) connects residents with public benefits and work supports to help individuals and families on their journey to self-sufficiency. CJFS is tasked with determining eligibility and case management of five core benefit programs and workforce initiatives: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal food assistance program; Ohio Works First (OWF), the county form of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance program; Medicaid, medical care and insurance for low-income families and the aged/blind/disabled populations; Child care assistance, making it easier for adult caretakers to find and maintain education and a career path; and Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC), which provides aid and services to families due to unexpected emergencies. This opportunity will be focused widely on the work activity programming that helps public benefit recipient gain the skills needed to find meaningful employment and begin earning a living wage.

Member Duties : Execute needs assessment to establish areas of focus for Employment Services development within CJFS. Collaborate to establish criteria and design a system to measure impact of communication strategies to participates and their insights to training programs. Coordinate with CJFS Office of Community Engagement for informational interviews, and other engagement strategies with identified organizations to determine best practices. Develop new, meaningful, and sustainable connections between county and program participants while building a capacity to move public benefit recipients toward job readiness and employment success. Assist in the planning and implementation of strategies designed to increase participant engagement. Build a comprehensive asset map of workforce development programming and identify any barriers to access that might exist for residents. Attend committee meetings, network and coordinate staff participation for engagement.

Program Benefits : Relocation Allowance , Education award upon successful completion of service , Stipend , Childcare assistance if eligible , Living Allowance , Training , Health Coverage* , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend .