Work Ready

At Work Ready, you’ll have a Work Ready Career Navigator providing individualized case management and a supportive team helping you address barriers such as:

• Lack of dependable child care
• Finding services for a special needs child
• Lack of transportation/Drivers License
• Housing issues
• A criminal background
• Applying for Disability/Unemployment

Work Ready will also allow you the opportunity to participate in community service of your choosing to gain skills, obtain job references, fill employment history gaps and be potentially hired; explore different career and educational training opportunities.

Employment Advancement & Retention Network (EARN)

The Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) program is designed to provide comprehensive activities and services to individuals newly applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits as well as on-going TANF benefit recipients. The goal of the program is to support participants in achieving successful employment outcomes as they move toward self-sufficiency.

EARN Consists of Two Components

• The Work Support Component (WSC) provides job placement services to new TANF applicants. Participants enrolled in this component participate in an eight-week job readiness and directed job search curriculum.
• The Career Development Component (CDC) provides a full range of employment and training activities for the ongoing TANF recipient beginning with an initial four-week job readiness and search program. Work first, employment or a work activity is the preferred outcome. Other available activities include literacy, post-secondary education, and skill training.

Job retention is a critical part of the EARN program, and job retention activities and incentives are designed to encourage participants to maintain employment. This leads to an increased likelihood of self-sufficiency through opportunities for career advancement, increased wages, and employer-provided medical benefits.