Fastrak is a specialized job-club type component that targets individuals with more critical needs than those referred to in traditional Job Skills Preparation Class (JSPC).  Fastrak services are offered to participants who are chronically homeless, age 50 and older, and those returning to GROW after expiration of their time limits.  Participants in Fastrak meet the Food Stamp Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWDs) requirement.
The purpose of Fastrak is to increase participants’ job readiness and career motivation by reducing potential barriers to employment. It provides intensive workshops that address a number of key areas, including life skills, job readiness, criminal history, referrals to free community resources, interview and preparation for available government employment opportunities, advanced training in soft skills, targeted job search with referrals to specific employers and employment counseling. The four-week class is based on an interagency team approach.  It is administered by Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) in collaboration with DPSS/GROW staff. 

KEY POINTS

• Fastrak targets participants who are chronically homeless, age 50 or older, and those returning to GROW after previous discontinuance of their cases due to expiration of time limits.



• Participation is tracked on the GROW computer system.



• Participation in Fastrak meets ABAWDs requirements.



• Fastrak assists participants who need additional motivation and career guidance.



• Participants in Fastrak will work closely with a facilitator, job developer and mentor.



• The goals of Fastrak are:

• To assist participants in resolving any barriers that might prevent them from becoming self-sufficient, including criminal records/unresolved minor offenses and warrants resulting from those offenses, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, and homelessness.
  
  
  
• To focus on the participant’s strengths in order to increase job readiness, once barriers are removed.

• Refer only participants who meet the above criteria (chronically homeless, age 50 or older, returning to GROW after previous expiration of time limits).



• Explain the ABP 1463 to the participant, and ensure that it is signed by both the participant and the Case Manager.  



• Review the basic component requirements, objectives and expectations.



• Closely monitor attendance.



• Assign all chronically homeless participants to a “Life Skills” class, and assist them in removing all barriers to employment (see below), prior to assigning them to any employment-related activities.



• Assist participants in the resolution/removal of any barriers that might interfere with job readiness by referring them to appropriate supportive services, including Substance Abuse (SA)*, Domestic Violence (DV), Mental Health, Expungement of criminal offenses, Homeless Court for unresolved minor offenses and resulting warrants, and/or the General Relief (GR) Housing Subsidy Pilot for chronic homelessness, prior to referring them for job search activities.
  * A participant must be referred to SA by the Eligibility Worker.

• Issue work-related expenses, including transportation. Refer all participants needing business attire to the Clothing Boutique, or issue funds to purchase clothing.



• Update the Fastrak component on the GROW system, whenever necessary.

Procedures for Processing GROW Chronically Homeless Participants

With the implementation of the General Relief Housing Subsidy Pilot, GROW has incorporated procedures designed to assist employable chronically homeless individuals in their transition from homelessness to employment and self-sufficiency.

Chronic Homelessness

Chronic homelessness is defined as being homeless continuously for at least one year or having been homeless at least four times in the last three years.

Life Skills Class

The Fastrak component managed by Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has developed a “Life Skills” class, which includes a variety of workshops intended to impart to the target population the knowledge and skills required to successfully procure and maintain permanent housing.

MAPPER/Forms Updates/Revisions

In support of the “Life Skills” class, GROW MAPPER computer screens and GROW forms, General Relief Opportunities for Work Job Skills Assessment Appointment, ABP 1465, and the General Relief Opportunities for Work Notification of Change, ABP 296, will be expanded to add information regarding participants’ homeless status and participation in various GROW components, to increase the level of awareness through more frequent correspondence between GROW and eligibility staff.  
The forms will further be enhanced to notify eligibility staff when a participant is enrolled in the Fastrak or ICM components, which exempt them from Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) requirements per Administrative Directive Number 4547 dated 2/1/06 – Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) 15 % Exemption.

With the expansion of the screens and forms, additional duties will be incorporated into the following positions:

Updated Procedures

RESULTS

Upon assignment to Fastrak, the outcomes should be:

• The participant received special assistance to remove any barriers that might prevent participation in job-search activities until he/she is determined to be job-ready.
• The participant understands that Fastrak is intended to increase job readiness and motivation.
• The participant’s employment goals are consistent with the objectives of Fastrak.
• Work-related expenses, including transportation, were authorized as appropriate.
• The component assignment screen was completed on the GROW system.
• Both the participant and Case Manager signed the ABP 1463.