As part of the VA’s IPS program, an employment specialist worked with a larger team of clinicians and support staff to integrate treatment of underlying mental and physical health issues into the employment services for veterans experiencing homelessness. The employment specialist assessed participants’ vocational abilities and helped tailor an accelerated job search based on their strengths and preferences.

Chicago ERA matched participants with a career and income advisor (CIA) who counseled them about how to advance in their current jobs and apply for higher-paying jobs. Participants could receive other education and training services and financial incentives for maintaining contact with their case manager to verify their work hours. A30-hour work requirement was part of their TANF participation, and failure to work at this level could result in a sanction of their TANF benefits. The program served participants for up to  two years, even if they left TANF.

The program provided information about and simplified access to financial work supports, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and child care subsidies. Retention and advancement services included career coaching and access to training and education to stabilize participants’ employment and help them find better-paying jobs. The program helped participants secure funding for training and education costs through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and other training funds.

Six employment and training organizations implemented the Fathers at Work Initiative. All sites offered three strategies: employment services, fatherhood workshops, and child support services. Each site had flexibility to determine how services were provided and diverged in how they provided skills training, the intensity of available fatherhood services, and the way they worked with child support agencies.

JVS-Boston developed its medical billing and accounting training programs with input from employers who served on advisory committees. Potential participants were interviewed to confirm that they would benefit from the training program based on their interests, abilities, and qualifications. Participants received a certificate of completion at the end of the program. Training participants were also offered other services available at JVS-Boston, including a four- to six-week internship and training on job-readiness skills.

WRTP provided short-term training programs—selected to match local labor market demand—that resulted in nursing assistant, medical assistant, and construction certificates. Participants also received soft skills training, case management, remedial education, job placement assistance, and post-employment services. Child care and transportation assistance were available for participants receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Training programs ranged from 40 to 160 hours and lasted from two to eight weeks.