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Overview
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Overview

Established in 2012, Community Works Project (CWP) partners with ODHS Family Coaches to empower diverse families on TANF to obtain and maintain meaningful work that sustains their families, through an individualized approach that includes coaching, skill building, barriers removal services and employer connections. Watch our Orientation Video for examples of how we support our members.

Overview

Referral Links and Process

CWP only works with TANF families referred by their Family Coaches. Our work starts after a Family Coach creates a Personal Development Plan with the TANF family and opens one of the following steps for which we are contracted: CH, ES, JO, LS, PL, SL, SW, WE, DA, ME, RA, or MH. 

For All Employment and Wellness Services Steps CH, ES, JO, LS, PL, SL, SW, WE, DA, ME, RA, or MH

Click this link to complete the CWP referral form to refer a new CWP member to our  services.

 

Once you submit your referral form, CWP will assign a Resource Navigation Specialist to reach out to the new member and conduct an intake.

For new members being referred to Wellness services (DA, ME, AR, or MH) CWP will reach out to the new member to schedule an intake with our Medical Case Consultant or/and Behavioral Health Consultant. 

  • CWP are open to referrals from all ODHS branches in District 2 but only provides in-person services on site at the 3501 - East and 3502 - Gresham branches. 

 

  •  CWP Wellness services is now available to all District 2 branches as of July 1st, 2022

Referral Links and Process

Services Offered during COVID-19 shutdown (in list form)

We offer a variety of ways for members to engage, while staying safe at home. CWP only serves TANF families referred by their ODHS Family Coaches. With our three agencies, we provide culturally appropriate services to a wide range of communities, and link our families with relevant community resources.

We refer to our TANF families as members. We use a member-centered approach to provide our services. Our aim is that each TANF family we work with is supported holistically with the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency.

 

When not working remotely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are located at the ODHS East County Family Service Center, Gresham office, and the ODHS Southeast Portland Self-Sufficiency Office. We also work closely with the ODHS Schools Team in Multnomah County.  

We strive for excellence and welcome your feedback in person or by email. Please visit our Contact page.

Individualized Support to Complete Steps in the Employment

CWP Resource Navigation Specialists meet one-on-one (via phone, video call or email) with members to collaboratively set goals and objectives, and then help them meet those goals and objectives with hands-on assistance and coaching. We offer a variety of exciting and helpful virtual classes taught by professional instructors, options for individualized growth in our Career Centers, and weekly individualized support, including mock interviews, based on the “step” agreed upon with the DHS Family Coaches. Click here to see what we offer specifically for your client's step: Services Offered by Program Step.

We also work with members to remove barriers to employment by connecting them to our consortium services and other community resources. We continue to engage with members who have been placed in jobs for up to 90 days. 

Career Centers

Our Career Centers are currently open by appointment only. We still offer many services remotely, please talk to CWP's Resource Navigation Specialists about options.

Click here to see what we offer specifically for your step: Services Offered by Program Step.

Life and Work-Focused Classes and Workshops

CWP’s professional instructors support members on their personal growth journey through classes in life skills, resume writing and interviewing skills, and English as a Second Language learning. We also offer free access to a curriculum to help members bridge between foundational education and the job market or GED levels. We offer online classes and one-on-one coaching over the phone and email, during this public health crisis. CWP Resource Navigation Specialists can connect participants to our instructors. 

CWP also offers free online access  to curriculum specifically designed to prepare members for Oregon’s National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) exam, which is recognized by a growing number of employers in Oregon and across the country, as a proof of workplace readiness. The NCRC is a portable certificate delivered based on the assessment of three foundational workplace skills, measuring what applicants can do rather than what they know: applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information. The exam will be available at CWP when our Career Centers reopen. For members interested in the GED, CWP can support them in finding the right educational resources for preparing and taking the exam. 

Supporting Wellness 

CWP supports members who have medical or behavioral health issues that prevent them from participating in the employment or vocational training track. Our support consists of an initial assessment, developing a care plan in coordination with the health providers and working with members through completing the care plan. We can accompany members to their healthcare appointments and act as their advocate, helping with communication with the healthcare providers, if desired.

We only work with CWP members who have signed a release of information that enables us to review their health files and talk to their health providers.  We also work with members to remove other barriers to employment by connecting them to our consortium services and other community resources.

Culturally Specific Career Development Pilot 

CWP runs a culturally specific, community-based and collaborative approach to help African American / Black-identifying members build practical work and personal foundation and coaching through to employment and self-sufficiency. This is a unique approach that brings together cohorts of members for one-year engagements in life skills classes, workshops, coaching and career exploration activities, on a weekly basis. We also work with members to remove barriers to employment by connecting them to our consortium services and other community resources. 

Support with Other Barriers to Employment

CWP connects members who have barriers to employment with a large range of relevant resources to get their needs met. Services are offered by the agencies in the CWP consortium and by other community resources. CWP Resource Navigation Specialists are able to provide basic information about the services offered and connect members to the service providers for follow up. 

Services Offered
Individualized Support
Career Centers
Classes and Workshops
Supporting Wellness
Career Development
Barriers to Employment

Services Offered by Program Step

English as a Second Language (ES):

CWP is proud to offer uniquely individualized English as a Second Language (ESL) skill building services. We offer online skill building activities taught by an attentive ESL Instructor, no matter their skill level! We also offer the opportunity for homework help and one-on-one study support with any upcoming tests while connecting you with job leads and work readiness related ESL activities.  

Job Search (JO) – Ready to work and searching for employment: 

For members who are ready to review their Employment Portfolio and search for jobs, the CWP Resource Navigation Specialists help them brush up on resume, cover letter, reference and interviewing skills they need to feel confident about their job search. This is done via phone, email and video calls. CWP develops relationships with employers in all sectors and works closely with participants to place them in positions that fit their needs and interests. We also refer members to services that help with choosing free professional work attire and grooming for their first of day work, interviews, etc. and we coordinate closely with Family Coaches when participants find a job and need professional supplies to be successful. Finally, we review and input job logs weekly. 

Life Skills (LS) – Developing a personal and work foundation: 

CWP offers engaging online classes and individualized work in the following areas: the art of being; tips for a well-balanced life; time management; conflict resolution; budgeting and saving for the future; finding your passion; relationships; personal growth; letting go; overcoming background barriers, and more! 

Jobs Plus – Subsidized employment: 

CWP develops relationships with employers who want to help members who have a higher level of job-preparation, to gain experience and learn new skills in their area of interest. DHS subsidizes the position. Employers provide mentorship and job training through a short interview and hiring process. These are positions that are only available to CWP-enrolled applicants, and we coordinate all the necessary paperwork with the employers. 

Supported Work (SW) – Building skills and developing an employment portfolio: 

For members who are ready to start creating an “Employment Porfolio”, CWP offers online support through classes and individualized services in the following areas: career mapping; resume assistance; computer basics; vocational training information sessions; cover letter and reference letter assistance; job interview secrets; keyboarding lab; mock interviews; vision boards; i-Match assistance; and more! We have a different topic every day and are always open to new suggestions. We start by talking to members about their past experiences, identifying their strengths and the transferrable skills they bring, as well as helping define their goals. 

Work Experience (WE) – Gaining on-the-job experience:

Members have access to long term volunteer opportunities, incentivizing employers to take a chance on our families, and allowing them to gain more experience. CWP maintains a list of possible work experience sites and can work with DHS to develop new sites when needed. CWP coordinates the necessary paperwork when members are placed in these positions, and follows up with them regularly to help them identify new growth opportunities and paid jobs. 

Medical-Related Services (ME), Mental Health (MH) and Drug & Alcohol Services (DA)– Supporting your wellness: 

CWP supports members who have medical or behavioral health issues that prevent them from participating in the employment or vocational training track. Our support consists of an initial assessment, developing a care plan in coordination with participants’ health providers and working with participants through completing the care plan. While we can no longer accompany participants to their healthcare appointments, we can join telehealth appointments and act as their advocate, helping with communication with the healthcare providers, if desired.

We only work with CWP members who have signed a release of information that enables us to review their health files and talk to their health providers.  We also work with members to remove other barriers to employment by connecting them to our consortium services and other community resources, such as accessing free new eyeglasses with a current prescription.

Program Steps
English as Second Language (ES)
Job Search (JO)
Life Skills (LS)
Supported Work (SW)
Jobs Plus (PL)
Work Experience (WE)
Wellness Services (DA, ME, MH)
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