Ending homelessness through employment and housing requires a focused effort aimed at building linkages with the mainstream workforce system, using innovative, proven strategies and advocating for the necessary resources and supports. Homeless jobseekers with barriers to employment are disadvantaged in the best of times. In the current economy, agencies need better tools and skilled practice. In this pre-conference session, we will help participants make use of new the Community Employment Pathway guidebook provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create training and job opportunities, explore how hopeFound has combined a Housing First, work first program using motivational interviewing as a cornerstone practice. Speakers also addressed the need for local and national advocacy for financial resources, employment encouraging policies, and access to mainstream services.

1. National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference Concord/Lexington/Bunker Hill Room
Pre-Conference Institute (Ballroom Level)
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Monday July 12, 2010
400 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Washington, D.C.
Advanced Employment Strategies: Ending homelessness through employment and housing requires a
focused effort aimed at building linkages with the mainstream workforce system, using innovative,
proven strategies and advocating for the necessary resources and supports. Homeless jobseekers with
barriers to employment are disadvantaged in the best of times. In the current economic conditions
agencies need better tools and skilled practice. In this Institute we will help participants make use of
HUD’s new Community Employment Pathways guidebook to create training and job opportunities;
explore how hopeFound has combined a housing first, work first program using motivational
interviewing as a cornerstone practice and we will address the need for local and national advocacy for
financial resources, employment encouraging policy and access to mainstream services.
Facilitators: John Rio, Advocates for Human Potential; Mary Nee and Deb Putnam, hopeFound
Special Guest: Assistant Secretary Jane Oates, Employment and Training Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor
Agenda:
9am Welcome & Introductions John, Mary & Deb
Conversation with Assistant Secretary Jane Oates
9:45am A new HUD Guidebook to Make Work a Priority John
• Building Blocks for Creating Employment Pathways (CEP)
• Preparing for Change: Integrating with 10 Year Plans and
WIA Plans
• Researching Opportunities, Needs and Gaps in the Labor
Market and Training Systems
• Developing & Working the CEP Plan
10:15am WorkFirst: Demonstration Project of hopeFound Boston Mary and Deb
• Employment services for newly housed adults
• Structure and principles
• Individualized employment counseling based in stages
of change theory & motivational interviewing
approaches
11:15am Promoting Employment for People Experiencing Homelessness John
• WIA Reauthorization & other opportunities
• Establishing a national organizing committee
• Working a common agenda
• Next steps
12:00pm Adjourn