Location: Santa Clara Adult Education

In attendance: Art Taylor-SJ Family Shelter, Nancy Noel-CSA Alpha Omega, Alison Dougherty-Santa Clara Adult Education, Francella Stevens-Inn Vision, Jennifer Goldberg-EHC, Courtney Bober-San Jose Cathedral Foundation, Cindy Stahl (guest)-NOVA Sunnyvale

Cindy Stahl who was our guest from NOVA in Sunnyvale spoke of their programs,  NOVA serves 7 cities in Northern Santa Clara County-Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Milpitas.  Dislocated workers are  the major population of their clientele.  The criterion for their dislocated worker program is that an individual had to have been laid off, have a barrier to returning to the economy, must be 18 years of age and want to upgrade their skill set as well.  The dislocated worker program is not specific to the 7 cities above that NOVA serves.  They also have a low-income target program, job search assistance, formal assessment, Internet availability and job training funds.  Their job training programs utilize an eligible training provider list and can assist an individual with $6,000 toward training through one of the providers listed.  this money includes the training as well as supportive services, books, transportation and childcare.  cindy shared that they served a lot of homeless people at their location as well.  The Department of Rehab as well as the Independent Living Center will be on site beginning in April. 

Jobs Plus is open again as the Parolee Employment Program or PEP.  The program works the same way, just under a different name and funding.  Parolees need a referral from their Parole Officer.  Labor Ready will hire parolees to perform day labor all they need is an ID.  Santa Clara County is no longer able to do expungements due to budget cuts.  Francella shared her article "To Tell or Not to Tell" which gives scenarios and coaches employees what to say and what not to say to employers and advises only to share what you need to share to avoid unnecessary termination or disqualification from a job.

We discussed specific phrasing, coaching, and wording to be used when discussing criminal background with employers.  In light of this, we thought that inviting some employers to share with our group about what HR reps and hiring managers are looking for in an employee and how we can help our clients to become more marketable to employers.  Courtney suggested that she knew someone that may be able to come share with the group.  Alison shared that the City of San Jose will hire felons if it is not job related-but individuals must disclose their background.  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recovery from drugs and alcohol may be considered a disability and allowance could be made to an employee to go to NA or AA meetings.

Next meeting is April 20, 2004, 11:30-1:00 at Georgia Travis Center.