• JOTF's May Forum Panelists Reveal Importance of Protecting Wealth for Baltimore’s Vulnerable Families
• JOTF Print Newsletter Spring 2006 Out Now!
• JOTF Presents a PowerPoint on How to be an Effective Advocate
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Project JumpStart) Update

OTHER NEWS

• Governor Signs Adult Education and Ex-Offender Pilot Program Bills
• Baltimore Sun, "Getting a 2nd chance "
• The Daily Record, "Program aims to give troubled workers jobs"

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Baltimore CASH Campaign Hosts Session in Advanced Financial Counseling (06/14-06/16/2006)
• Community Assistance Network Celebrate 40 Years of Community Action (06/15/2006)
• Maryland Workforce Development Association Announces Dates for Raising The Bar 2006 (06/12-06/14/2006)

OPPORTUNITIES

• RFQ to Help Connect Low-Wage Workers to Public and Private Benefits
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Announces Funding Opportunities under the Compassion Capital Fund

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• protecting wealth from predatory lenders;
• building wealth through individual development accounts and home ownership; and
• accessing existing services.

Read the summary and view photos of the JOTF forum: Building and Protecting Wealth for Baltimore’s Vulnerable Families: Opportunities and Challenges .

We thank the Open Society Institute and the Empower Baltimore Management Corporation for their generous support of this forum.

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JOTF Print Newsletter Spring 2006 Out Now!

Hot off the presses! Pick up a copy of the spring 2006 edition of JOTF’s print newsletter, JOTF Works. The current issue features an excert from JOTF's paper, "Bridge Programs In Maryland: Helping Low-Skilled Residents Access Postsecondary Education and High Wage Jobs", a recap of 2006 legislative session, and much more.

If you have not received a copy of JOTF Works and would like to be added to the JOTF mailing list, send an e-mail to jessica[@]jotf.org.

Read JOTF Works, Spring 2006

(Document is in PDF format.)

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JOTF Presents a PowerPoint on How to be an Effective Advocate

Baltimore Sun, "Getting a 2nd chance "

The Baltimore Sun's Hanah Cho reports on the realities facing former offenders as they look for jobs on release from prison. Aware of these realities, it is the correctional and education officials who are preparing thousands of inmates with occupational skills, continuing education and job readiness classes each year.

Read "Getting a 2nd chance ".

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The Daily Record, "Program aims to give troubled workers jobs"

James Mosher of The Daily Record writes how Baltimore County government has created a one-stop shop for employers willing to hire people with checkered work and behavior histories. Under the Baltimore County Employment Network initiative, the government is offering, at the interest of employers, tax credit incentives of up to $2,400 per employee as well as up to six months of free employee bonding.

Read "Programs aim to give troubled workers jobs".

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Baltimore CASH Campaign Hosts Session in Advanced Financial Counseling (06/14-06/16/2006)

The Financial Counseling Certification Program was developed by University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, reaching over 350 agency staff and counselors from community action agencies, credit unions, and other organizations since 1997. The curriculum also was adapted by County Extension Educators to train volunteer financial counselors to help supplement paid staff and human service providers from public and private organizations to enhance the economic sustainability of their clients.

The session, to be hosted by Baltimore CASH Campaign, is extremely interactive and participants learn information in a way that is beneficial to both their personal and professional lives. Seasoned instructors share a wealth of activities and resources to supplement your current program.

This advanced course is designed for individuals who have completed the Basic Financial Counseling or have significant related experience. The session is offered in 2 full days and one half day. Participants who wish to take this session need to contact Robin McKinney prior to registering for the class. Topics include:

• Insurance Management
• Major Expenditures
• Savings and Investments
• Retirement and Estate Planning

The session includes 20 consecutive hours of training. There is an exam at the end of the course and certificates are given to participants that pass the exam with a 70%. The course fee is $250 which includes all materials, resources, and meals. A limited number of scholarships are available. There are approximately 20 slots available.

If you are interested in registering, please contact Robin McKinney at robin[@]ehcdc.org or 410-753-4152.

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Community Assistance Network Celebrate 40 Years of Community Action (06/15/2006)

The Community Assistance Network invites you to join the celebrations for their 40 years of community action on Thursday, June 15, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Columbus Gardens, 4301 Klosterman Avenue, Perry Hall, MD 21236.

This fundraising event includes dinner, dancing and silent auction for $40.00 per person.

To receive an attendee registration form, or to donate an item for the silent auction, please call CAN's office at (410) 285-4674, or email jstauffer[@]canconnects.org.

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Maryland Workforce Development Association Announces Dates for Raising The Bar 2006 (06/12-06/14/2006)

The Maryland Workforce Development Association (MWDA) is a coalition of the directors of the state's workforce development agencies. Together with Maryland's 12 Workforce Investment Boards, MWDA members oversee and direct services designed to meet the workforce needs of the state's jobseekers and employers. The directors manage the state's network of One-Stop Career Centers and serve as advisors on workforce issues to local heads of government. Workforce Investment Boards rely on the leadership and expertise of MWDA members to assist in policy development, program design and service delivery.

Raising the Bar 2006 is the Mid-Atlantic region's premier conference for workforce development professionals. It will run from 06/12 - 06/14/2006 at the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center, Ellicott City, MD. For more information visit MWDA's Conference homepage.

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RFQ to Help Connect Low-Wage Workers to Public and Private Benefits

Earn Benefits ® Baltimore is an initiative developed by Seedco. It is a comprehensive strategy that connects low-wage workers to public and private benefits that can increase household income and promote continuous employment. Through experience and national research we know that without work supports and benefits, low wage workers are often unable to make ends meet. Although numerous government and private benefits are available, such as subsidies, vouchers and direct cash assistance, we have seen that most benefits are underutilized, primarily due to a lack of information about benefits and eligibility guidelines and an arduous application process.

Founded in 1986, Seedco is a national community development intermediary that creates opportunities for low-wage workers and their families. Seedco developed EarnBenefits tohelp individuals access and manage a wide array of benefits and supports to build family income and assets. The initiative is generously supported by the Abell, Casey, Straus, and Thalheimer Foundations.

Seedco is partnering with a local organization, Jobs Opportunities Task Force (JOTF), to implement EarnBenefits in Baltimore. JOFT develops and advocates policies and programs to increase the skills, job opportunities, and incomes of low-skill, low-income workers and job seekers. EarnBenefits Baltimore will target families transitioning off of public assistance or employed in low-wage jobs.

As described in the attached materials, organizations participating in the EarnBenefits Network will have access to Seedco tools, products, and technical assistance designed to help integrate work supports – the Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, public health insurance and others – into current workforce development and other programming. A limited number of organizations will receive a grant to support the salary of a part/full-time EarnBenefits Counselor for a 12-month participation period, with an opportunity for a contract renewal. Other Network Partners will be self-funded.

Seedco are interested in partnering with community-based organizations that serve low-wage workers, with a focus on under-served populations, and that demonstrate a commitment to providing comprehensive support services to their clients as part of their work support strategy.

Download instructions for responding to the RFQ in MS Word format.

The due date is by 5:00 pm on July 7, 2006.

Seedco will host a Bidder’s Conference for interested applicants on June 16th, 11am – 12 noon at the Casey Foundation. Please RSVP by Monday June 12 th to Michelle Henry at mhenry[@]seedco.org if you plan to attend the Conference. Additionally, site visits will take place from July 10 through July 21, 2006.

If you have any questions, please contact Chauncy Lennon at 212-204-1333, or at clennon[@]seedco.org.

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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Announces Funding Opportunities under the Compassion Capital Fund

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), has announced that applications will be accepted for new grants pursuant to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) authorized under Section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the Department of Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Public Law 109-149.

Targeted Capacity-Building

OCS will award funds to help build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that address the needs of distressed communities. A distressed community is defined as a neighborhood or geographic community with an unemployment rate and/or poverty rate equal to or greater than the State or national rate. The Targeted Capacity Building Program will focus on capacity building among organizations addressing the following programmatic service areas:

- help for at-risk youth;
- help for the homeless;
- marriage education and preparation services to help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages; or
- social services to those living in rural communities

A total of $15,000,000 is reserved to fund up to 300 grants.

Deadline for proposals: due by June 23, 2006.

Read the full grant announcement.

Demonstration Program

ACF will award funds to experienced organizations to deliver capacity building services to faith-based and community organizations through the provision of training, technical assistance, and sub-awards. Intermediary organizations will assist faith-based and community organizations with capacity building activities in five critical areas:

1) leadership development
2) organizational development
3) program development
4) revenue development strategies, and
5) community engagement

A total of $5,000,000 is reserved to fund up to 10 cooperative agreements.

Deadline for proposals: due by June 19, 2006.

Read the full grant announcement.

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