5. THE BOX
List specific crime (s) dates
Attach additional information or
write,
Yes, 2013 convicted of simple
assault, was drinking have 3
years of sobriety & anger
management classes
OR
Yes, 2010 convicted of 3 drug
related crimes, clean and sober,
will discuss further in interview
(no abbreviations)
6. During the interview
Written or verbal explanation of
record
Incentives
Letters of recommendation
Certificates earned inside or out
Highlight skills, abilities,
motivation to work
Additional information
7. Recently released (in the past 1-2 years)
Released more than 2 years ago
History of incarceration
Criminal record w/o incarceration
Deferred Sentences
Tx Court
Expungement www.expungementguide.com/Vermont-
Expungement.php
Governors Pardon
http://governor.vermont.gov/sites/governor/files/VERMONT%20PARDON%20APPLICATION%209-6-
13.pdf
Types of Records
8. Sex Offenders -be careful of untreated,
unsupervised sex offenders (sex
offenders can voluntarily participate in
treatment inside and aftercare in the
community) VTPSA COSA –circles of
support and accountability
Violent Crimes
Crimes against vulnerable populations
- children, vulnerable adults, people with
disabilities, etc
Discuss: Media attention/Google Hits
3 types of Abuse registries –
1.sex offender 2.child abuse 3.vulnerable
adults
Serious and Violent Offenders
9. Assessing Risk
Managing Risk
Safety Planning example
Risk to community
Community safety is our concern and
DOC priority- use their expertise if possible
Risk to business
Bonding can help in some cases
Risk areas for individual
Staff Safety – Be careful, when in doubt talk to your Manager
even if it is just to manage your comfort zone
Community Safety
10. Get clear info about what the employer is looking for
– past 7 years, 5 years, etc
Felony Charges only
Misdemeanor charges
What if they don’t ask?
Older and or less serious charges
7 years or older
12. Many employers including the State of Vermont,
Target and others have joined the Ban the Box
“movement”
This is good news for people with criminal
backgrounds and those who help them
Colorado, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Mexico, Minnesota, and Hawaii). 50 Municipalities across the state
Ban the Box
13. BAN THE BOX
The advantage is the opportunity to get passed the first stage of screening
(application) to the interview and offer an explanation in person
In most cases, Background checks will still
be performed
14. Complete and accurate information
is required;
Felony charges?
Misdemeanor charges?
In state out of state
-(we have access mainly to VT info)
Who does the research?
Use Mock Interviewing to- focus on disclosure but
emphasize: abilities, desire to work, incentives,
recommendations, good questions to ask the interviewer
Preparing for the Interview
15. Sources;
VCIC- VT center for
http://vcic.vermont.gov/sor handout
Voc Rehab
Local Courthouse
Probation & Parole Offices
Who’s responsibility is it to gather
this information? -discuss
Accessing a Record
16. Find out if PO will be
verifying employment
and how
-phone call, visit?
Barre Probation and
Parole
Bennington Probation
and Parole
Brattleboro Probation
and Parole
Burlington Probation
and Parole
Hartford Probation and
Parole
Morrisville Probation
and Parole
Newport Probation
and Parole
Rutland Probation and
Parole
St. Albans Probation
and Parole
St. Johnsbury
Probation and Parole
Springfield Probation
and Parole
Probation and Parole Offices
17. Probation
Parole
Reentry
Reintegration Furlough
Medical Furlough
Treatment Furlough
Pre-Approved Furlough
PAF WorkCrew
Supervised Community Sentence
Home Confinement
Home Detention
Unique Community
In Jail -Sentenced
In Jail - Detained
In Jail -Sent/Det
Unique in Jail
Unique under DOC (Act 248
cases)
Types of Status
18. DOC Offender Locator
www.doc.vermont.gov/offender-locator -
this link will provide information for
anyone who is currently under supervision
http://www.doc.state.vt.us/custody-
supervision/archive-count/population-counts-
town-by-status-december-31-2014/view
Offender Locator
19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klilTiisjQE
What did he do wrong?
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
What did he do right?
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Preparing for the interview
22. Research company
Identify positions of interest
Complete application on line or paper
Submit resume if appropriate
Prepare questions – standard or specific
-Or a combination of both
Send a thank you note, or call, something
Get permission to check back in, find out when
Please and thank you
23. Resumes should include work in
facilities as well as any certificates
earned
Letters of recommendation from
employers, volunteer supervisors,
W.E. Supervisors
Email etiquette, On line
applications, personality
tests -refer to VABIR resources
Resumes, letters, certificates
24. In a few sentences, explain the
circumstances of your crime (s)
- underlying causes, not excuses
Who were the victims of your crime (s)
Have you done anything to repair the harm you
caused?
Is your life different now? Please explain
How have you changed?
What is your plan to stay out of jail?
What skills, abilities, positive character traits do
you have to offer an employer?
Questions to Ask
25. Be honest
Be Brief highlight/state the date (if it helps)
Take responsibility, be accountable
Describe the “new you”
ex. In 2015, I was struggling with addiction
and made some poor choices. When you do a
background check, this is what you will find..
Offer Skillsets, Certificates,
recommendations, incentives
Rules of Thumb
26. Using OWD Participant info sheets
Role 1
Employer
Role 2
Job seeker
Role 3
Observer/note taker
(did they use rules of thumb?)
Role Play
27. EC
What it looks like
Job seeker
What it looks like
In many cases, it will be both
Your job might be to smooth the road for
the job seeker before the interview
Job seeker may still need to offer
information
Who is disclosing?
28. VABIR/CJC Workforce Development 2016
Employer Incentives
WOTC Work Opportunity Tax Credit
$2,400.00 Tax Credit for businesses who hire people who are in certain groups;
Unemployed Veterans (including disabled veterans)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
Food Stamp (SNAP) Recipients
Designated Community Residents (living in Empowerment Zones or Rural Renewal Counties)
Vocational Rehabilitation Referred Individuals
Ex-Felons
Supplemental Security Income Recipients
Summer Youth Employees (living in Empowerment Zones)
Up to $9,000.00 for people who belong to families that have received family assistance from the state for a long period of time
Bonding Federal Bonding Program
Like insurance in case equipment is damaged, theft occurs, etc. covers the first 6 months of employment
A $5,000.00 bond is issued upon an offer of employment or after a person has secured employment
VT Dept of Labor can issue a bonding certificate within a few days
People who are eligible:
Ex Offenders, People who have been in jail or just have criminal records
Recovering substance abusers who have been rehabilitated through treatment
People with poor credit histories or have declared bankruptcy
People who have been dishonorably discharged from the military
People lacking work history or are from families with low income
CWS Creative Workforce Solutions
These are options that are available for Vocational Rehabilitation job seekers as a way to help people get in the door and offer a benefit to businesses
without them taking a risk
Workman’s Comp insurance is provided by the state for VR consumers and while a person is in a trial/work experience, job shadow, temp to hire, or
OJT
Company Tours
Short-term Job Shadows
Risk Free Trial/Work Experience
Temp-To-Hire
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Employer Incentives Sheet
29. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available
again for employers who hire people with significant
barriers to employment
www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/PDF/emp
loyers_wotc_program_brochure_5_24_12.pdf
Chance Payette, Vermont Department of Labor
Vermont WOTC Coordinator, P.O. Box 488
Montpelier, VT 05601-0488, 802-828-3920
802-828-4374(fax) Chance.Payette@vermont.gov
qualifying documents from VR or DOC
Federal Bonding Program, which assures
employers of job honesty for at-risk job searchers
www.bonds4jobs.com
Job Seekers need to Register with VTDOL and
possibly the selective services Dept.
WOTC and Bonding Links
30. Manpower, Labor Ready,
Spherion
Can be a great resource but
be careful of a few things;
If the agency does not
disclose to the employer and
the employer decides to offer
the person a job ….
Unidentified Matrix - handout
Employment Agencies
31. Prescribed medication
Use of Illegal drugs
Safety concerns
Conditional UA s –could be used
to the job seekers advantage
Drug testing
33. Christine Longmore 802.865.7574
Offender Workforce Development
Specialist
VABIR/Burlington Community Justice
Center
200 Church Street Burlington VT
clongmore@vabir.org or
clongmore@burlingtonvt.gov
www.vabir.org
VABIR
ORES/OWD Contacts
34. Links
video of person in interview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klilTiisjQE
(18 minutes long)- worth watching
WOTC – Work Opportunity Tax Credit
www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/PDF/employers_wotc_program_brochure_5_24_12.pdf
Bonding link www.bonds4jobs.com
Sex Offender Registry Visit the Vermont Sex Offender Public Website
DOC Offender Locator www.doc.vermont.gov/offender-locator
Probation and Parole Offices around the state:
Barre Probation and Parole
Bennington Probation and Parole
Brattleboro Probation and Parole
Burlington Probation and Parole
Hartford Probation and Parole
Morrisville Probation and Parole
Newport Probation and Parole
Rutland Probation and Parole
St. Albans Probation and Parole
St. Johnsbury Probation and Parole
Springfield Probation and Parole
Expungement
www.expungementguide.com/Vermont-Expungement.php
Governors Pardon http://governor.vermont.gov/sites/governor/files/VERMONT%20PARDON%20APPLICATION%209-6-13.pdf
Useful Links