NVTAC Virtual Learning Class:

Transcription

1 NVTAC Virtual Learning Class: Strategies to Succeed in HVRP A Virtual Learning Class for New HVRP Staff Ian Lisman Advocates for Human Potential nvtac@ahpnet.com John Rio Advocates for Human Potential nvtac@ahpnet.com Module 7 Locked Out: Strategies to Improve Employment Outcomes for Justice-involved Veterans 10 Source: Polk State College

2 Justice Involved Veteran Those who have spent a long time incarcerated are at high risk of homelessness. Criminal convictions create additional barriers to employment referred to as Collateral Consequences. Convictions are often themselves a barrier to employment. 11

3 Collateral Consequences in Indiana 12

4 POLL QUESTION B What challenges do your justice involved veterans face? 13

5 Unique Challenges Stigma and Bias Background Checks Gaps in Employment Higher Rates of PTSD Legal Restrictions Difficulties obtaining Housing Veterans unskilled in explaining their backgrounds during interviews 14

6 Impact on Job Choosing Time in prison may inhibit Up-to-date knowledge and occupational skills awareness of current labor market needs Self-representation skills Offenses may be related to preferred job choices Old convictions may still impact choices Occupational licensing requirements may limit options 15

7 Criminal Records Behavioral Health challenges often result in justice involvement Problems surrounding receipt of treatment War on drugs 2012 study - 30% of Americans have been arrested by age 23 Potential Impacts of a criminal record Voting Firearms Credit Child Custody/Adoption Housing Employment Government Benefits 16

8 Diminishing Population Veterans were overrepresented in our justice system, but this is changing. 17

9 In your opinion, what percent of your HVRP participants are or were involved in the criminal justice system? Chat Type your answer in the Public Chat box and press Enter to send Or, raise your hand to come off mute. 18

10 The Need Is Still There Even though there are fewer veterans in our justice system, there are many veterans who need our help. Bureau of Justice Statistics: in , approximately 181,500 veterans were serving time in correctional facilities. The legacy of high incarceration still ripples through our system. 19

11 Photo Credit: Horia Varlan Questions or Comments Type in chat or use the raise hand button to be unmuted. 20

12 Online job applications are increasingly the job application of choice for employers. 21

13 The Truth Will Prevail..Know the Barriers Know your job seeker s criminal record & correct errors Help them get RAP Sheet- costs can vary in States; State/National - $25/$8 non-profit Help them get Credit Report from 3 national companies - free 22

14 Cleaning Up a RAP Sheet Sealed Information Incomplete Information Multiple Entries Inaccuracies 23

15 What do your justice involved veterans say are their 2 biggest problems to getting a job? Chat Type your answer in the Public Chat box and press Enter to send Or, raise your hand to come off mute. 24

16 WORKING WITH VETERANS WITH A CRIMINAL HISTORY Outreach Veteran Justice Outreach Specialists Explanation of Criminal History Placement in Employment Balance of Working and Justice Involved Commitments

17 Outreach Municipal and County Veterans Courts Parole/Probation Offices Halfway Houses In Reach to Prisons and Jails

18 Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialists VJO Specialists reach in to the criminal justice system to ensure that eligible justice-involved Veterans have timely access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health and substance abuse services when clinically indicated, and other VA services and benefits as appropriate Connect with your local VJO

19 Explanation of Criminal History Veteran needs to know how to convey their conviction Tell the truth about the conviction Matter of Fact Be humble Take ownership of the conviction When explaining the conviction look at the person interviewing them Talk about who they were then and who they are now Employers understand that people make mistakes and can change The only difference between the veteran and the person interviewing them is the person interviewing them never got caught for the things they have done in their past

20 Teach the Justice Involved Jobseeker To Introduce themselves to employer Be upfront and honest. To express desire for the job Take responsibility for his/her actions. Describe how s/he has changed. Summarize the key points of the job and thank the employer 29

21 Coach Jobseekers To Look interviewer in the eye Describe work skills, assets, experience Explain who I am now & bring documentation Rehabilitation/Treatment Education/Training (in or out of jail/prison) Community and voluntary service Church involvement and support Also bring bonding and WOTC info & completed forms 30

22 Placements Do not place veteran in a job that is Monday Friday 8AM to 5PM The justice system is not flexible and does not have weekend hours in most states for meeting times or testing Employer must be aware of veterans situation Most probation/parole officers will show up at the veterans job site

23 What are 2 things employers say they are concerned about in hiring a justice involved veteran? Thanks for coming in but 1. and 2.. Discuss Raise your hand to come off mute. What is your response to that employer?

24 It s not just about developing a felon friendly employer list

25 Balance of Working and Commitment to the Justice System WORKING Reliable Dependable On Time Quality Worker Present JUSTICE SYTEM COMMITMENTS Meetings/Court Dates Drug/Alcohol Monitoring Mandatory Classes Financial Obligations

26 NC s Certificate of Relief Court may issue 1 year after the individual has completed his sentence he has complied with all requirements of his sentence, he is engaged in, or seeking to engage in, a lawful occupation or activity, including employment, training, education, or rehabilitative programs, no criminal charges are pending against him NC Tool 35

27 Employers frequently ask on Applications: Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Remove the conviction history question on job applications ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiringstate-and-local-guide/ Ban the Box 36

28 David finch, National Retail Federation s Senior Vice President for Government Relations said A ban on the box that alerts a company of an applicant's brushes with the law will restrict an employers' ability to ensure the safety of their workers and customers, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO AN EMPLOYER WHO SAYS THIS?

29 Overcoming Barriers: Certificates of Rehabilitation A Bill authorizing the Maryland Parole Commission to issue a certain certificate of rehabilitation to certain eligible offenders who meets certain requirements; providing that a certificate of rehabilitation establishes that a certain eligible offender has been rehabilitated from certain criminal involvement; 38

30 Call Toll Free

31 Have you ever helped a veteran use the Federal Bonding Program? If not, why not? Chat Type your answer in the Public Chat box and press Enter to send Or, raise your hand to come off mute. 40

32 Random Sample of HVRP Grantees # State Knows about FBP Ever used FBP Used FBP Last 12 Months 1 FL Yes No No 2 KY No No No 3 NY Yes No No 4 MA Yes Yes No 5 IN No No No 6 IL Yes No No 7 TX Yes No No 8 MD Yes No No 9 OR Yes No No 10 CA No No No

33 Comments about the FBP from the Field Catch 22 situation I don t know how much time it takes to get a bond The bond is the employers responsibility, not HVRPs I think there is too much paperwork and employers won t do it Employers just rather hire someone for whom a bond is not needed

34 Employer Candidates Bond May be Most Useful Larger companies Limited customer contact Middle-skills jobs including office occupations Jobs with higher wages

35 Job Seeker Candidates Violent crime (crimes against persons) Longer criminal records Limited education Limited work history/experience Minority status

36 Federal Bonding Program Funded by the US Dept of Labor Program information State coordinators coordinators.html Bond gives employers incentive to hire at risk individuals 45

37 Tax Credits Work Opportunity Tax Credit $2,400 for each adult hire from a target group Ex-felon hired w/in 1 year of conviction or release from prison 46

38 The employment specialist really monitors these guys. He calls the employees, and he calls me to see how things are working out. That s very important to me. With an employment agency, they place someone and they re out of it. Six months go by and CEO is still checking up on these guys. CEO Employer Partner 47

39 Resources VA Programs:

40 References 1. Giguere, R. and Dundes, L.(2002).Help Wanted: A Survey of Employer Concerns About Hiring Ex-Convicts. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 13:4, Harris, P.M. and Keller, K.S. (2005).Ex-Offenders Need Not Apply - The Criminal Background Check in Hiring Decisions. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 21:1, February, Albright, Shelley. (1996). Employer Attitudes Toward Hiring Ex-Offenders. The Prison Journal, June, 76:2, Gebo, Erika and Norton-Hawk, Maureen. (2009). Criminal Record Policies and Private Employers. Justice Policy Journal, 6:1. #

41 Photo Credit: Horia Varlan Questions or Comments Type in chat or use the raise hand button to be unmuted. 50

42 Here to Help Contact me any time with any issues big or small! Ian Lisman Senior Program Associate Advocates for Human Potential (cell) 51