HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7980 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. #7980
T February 27, 1996
of To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
X Subject:
1873 SUMMER WORKS STATUS REPORT
Background
Since 1983, the City of Fort Worth's Employment and Training Department, d.b.a. The
Working Connection, has been providing summer work experience and basic
education services for youth under the Job Training Partnership Act. The number of
youth served has varied from year to year, depending on funding. In 1993, 2,066 youth
were served with 96% successfully completing the program. In 1994, 1,164 youth were
served with 95%successfully completing the program. The 1996 summer employment
program provided employment and educational opportunities for 865 youth,with a 92%
success rate.
Congress has recently reduced funding for the year-round youth programs by 79%and
has eliminated funding for summer youth employment programs altogether. In past
years, The Working Connection programs provided an opportunity for youth to receive
work experience in public or non-profit settings. Last year, in addition to the federally
funded summer youth employment program, The Working Connection began Fort
Worth Summer Works, a public/private sector initiative for 16-21 year old youth. The
Fort Worth Summer Works program matched youth with jobs that were pledged by
employers who were seeking summer workers.
Fort Worth Summer WQrkg - 1995
In response to a directive from the Mayor, The Working Connection created the Fort
Worth Summer Works program so that youth could obtain summer work experience.
A hotline was set up for employers and interested youth. Staff developed a program
for connecting the Fort Worth Summer Works applicants with prospective employers.
The program operated from May 26 through June 22,1995. All applicants were referred
for interviews by the last week in June. Applicants were screened with an application
process consisting of a written application, a screening interview, and a 2-hour session
on pre-employment orientation. Applicants were then referred for employment
interviews.
During the program period, a total of 176 referrals were made and a total of 156
interviews were conducted (some applicants were referred and interviewed more than
once). Of this number, 54 youth were actually hired by participating businesses. A
total of 95 businesses pledged summer employment opportunities. As
FFICIAL 'RECORD
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CITY SECRUARY
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FO WO
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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. #7980 �
pATEij February 27, 1996
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 3
Subject: SLIMMER WORKS STATUS REPORT
last summer's program did not start until the month of May. Clearly, the program could
have been more successful and could have served more youth if it was implemented
sooner.
Fort_Worth 5!jmmer Works - 1996 (Pro
,s
The planning efforts to implement the Fort Worth Summer Works program for the
upcoming summer have already begun. The Working Connection has taken the lead
in a collaborative effort with Tarrant County Employment and Training Network and the
City of Arlington to provide summer work experience for youth. The Summer program
will be a county-wide effort for participation. Enrollment will not be restricted to
economically disadvantaged individuals, but open to the general public on a first come
first serve basis and will not be bound by federal rules. Strategy developed thus far
is summarized below:
Marketing
• Staff will propose a press conference to be held announcing the program
with guest speakers to include the Mayor and members of City Council,
private sector representatives, and Private Industry Council representatives.
• Staff will recommend that letters be sent to employers from the City Council
members soliciting support to hire youth for summer jobs.
• Flyers will be distributed in local high schools and community centers.
• Articles will be placed in the City Times to announce the program and seek
job pledges and applicants.
Recruitment
• Youth will primarily be recruited through job fairs at recreation centers on
Saturdays and possibly at Will Rogers Memorial Center during Spring Break.
Approximately 500 summer youth will be served, provided there is sufficient
employer participation.
Application Process
• The process should be simplified for use by all partnering organizations.
�SUYH ,CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
T
tNFOR�IAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. #7980
February 27, 1996
o, To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 3
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Subject:
1873 SUMMER WORKS STATUS REPORT
Orientation
• A 4-hour orientation for all applicants will be conducted using Texas
Workforce Commission and The Working Connection facilitators for pre-
employment skills training.
• A 2-hour orientation will be conducted by The Working Connection staff for
supervisors from companies that agree to participate.
Job Matching
• The process of job matching youth with employers will be conducted in
much the same manner as last summer.
• Procedures for inter-agency sharing of information will be developed by the
task force.
In order to successfully implement this non-federally funded effort, The Working
Connection will need to employ additional staff and cover additional operational
expenses. A proposed budget to serve the general public for activities detailed above
is included in Appendix A. Also attached is Appendix B which presents program
timelines.
Some economically disadvantaged youth (14-15 year olds) will be served with
carryover JTPA funds which total $120,000. Youth in this age group are too young to
work in the private sector jobs, therefore, educational programs will be offered to those
that qualify for JTPA.
If you have questions, please contact Richard Sapp, Director of Employment and
Training.
Robert Iferrell OFFICIAL RECORD
City Manager Clly SICREIARY
R 10111 TEX.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
...................... .................................
APPENDIX A
Fort Worth Summer Works Budget
March 1, 1996 -August 31, 1996
Job Title Cost Per Hour Total Cost
Job Developer 1 $12.55 $13,052
Job Developer 2 12.55 13,052
Job Developer 3 12.55 (4/1 - 7/15) 7,618
Clerk 9.65 10,036
Total Salary $43,758
Rent $4,018
Office Supplies 500
Telephone 1,064
Printing 1,000
Mileage 1,000
Advertising 3,000
Total Operations $10,582
Total Cost $54,340
V
9
APPENDIX B
f;l,el TIMELINE FOR FORT WORTH SUMMER WORKS 96
MARCH 1, 1996 -AUGUST 31, 1996
MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
Letters to Employers - March 1
through May 1
Press Conference with Elected
Public Officials - March 15 x
Receiving Job Orders
March 16 through July 1
Job Fairs - March 18
through May 4
Applications Sorted - April 1
through July 1
Matching Employers and
Applicants -April 15
through July 3
Interview(s)
April 29 through July 3
Employer Orientation/ x
Luncheon May 3
Pre-Employment Orientation(s)
May 29 through June 21
Follow-Up
May 29 through August 31
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECREMY