TALLER SAN JOSE (2) - 2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

appropriate resources internally or through community partnerships to resolve these issues prior to graduation from the program. Case managers challenge students to complete the following seven goals: Obtain a high school diploma; Open and use a bank account; Learn basic computer skills; Secure a job with a living wage; Remain crime free and drug free for one year; Register to vote; and, Obtain a valid driver's license. Taller's Substance Abuse Case Manager provides additional support for current students and alumni with substance abuse issues. Staff provides monthly childcare vouchers and bus passes to help alleviate students' childcare and transportation needs. Taller San Jose has also established and operates an Individual Development Account (IDA) program for recent graduates. Participants must sign a contract expressing a commitment to save a specified amount each month for a 12-18 month period and attend mandatory training on banking, investing, and money management. Taller San Jose Case Managers help participants develop long-term goals and a savings plan and subsequently track the saving patterns of participants. As an incentive to build assets, Taller San Jose matches funds up to $500. Ultimately, the savings are used to allow graduates to advance themselves personally and/or professionally by purchasing or renting a home, continuing their education, buying a car or investing in workforce tools. Weekly life skills classes are dedicated to helping apprentices confront key issues that pose barriers to their advancement, including: domestic violence, relationships, parenting, and health and financial literacy. Students who are experiencing more serious issues are referred to our on-site counselor who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Life Skills workshops also include programming based on the FuturoNow Healthy Marriage Initiative, which is a research-based program that recognizes society's critical need to strengthen marriages especially among low-income and minority individuals, leading to more stable families and healthier communities. Taller San Jose's Employment and Alumni Services link students, graduates, and alumni with local employers and provide students with ongoing coaching that includes resume building, interviewing skills and confidence building that helps them remain employed and focused on career progression. Taller San Jose's Employment Services Department administers the Department of Labor's evidence-based O-Net Assessment, which assists with job placement and career progression. Additionally, the Alumni Service Coordinator provides comprehensive follow-up services to recent graduates and active alumni. Taller San Jose believes that follow-up services provide a stable foundation for students to build upon as they transition from unemployment into the workforce. All follow-up services will be provided to graduates for 24- months after their completion of job-training activities and include intensive support for the first 90 days after placement. As graduates acclimate to the workplace, meetings with staff mentors occur on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Alumni Incentives ($10 gift cards) are given for proof of employment at 30 and 90 days after placement. The career center is open until 7PM every Wednesday to ensure that alumni have adequate access to this resource. Taller recently developed a quarterly alumni and student newsletter, Standing Taller, which has a circulation of roughly 500 individuals. The publication highlights student success stories, inspirational messages and upcoming events sponsored at Taller. A special Students & Alumni page will be featured on Taller's newly redesigned website to include information outlining career progression, additional training opportunities and employment opportunities. There will also be a keep-in-touch form where alumni can electronically update contact information and request additional support services. The new website is expected to launch in March 2009. In February 2009 Taller San Jose launched a MySpace account to provide alumni an additional medium to reconnect and find support. 4 sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange