"As the Workforce Development Lead, Work Ready has a very special spot in my heart. I served as a Family Navigator in the Work Ready program from 2017–2021, and as a Lead Family Navigator since. I have truly enjoyed helping those we serve in all programs but especially Work Ready,” said Megan Barckhoff.
Work Ready serves a unique population of individuals in our community. It is designed to help those who have not been able achieve or maintain self-sufficiency through other programs. All Work Ready participants have been on TANF for five or more years and have minor children in the home. Most Work Ready participants have been in and out of assistance programs since their youth and Work Ready is dedicated to working with challenging circumstances to help break the cycle of poverty.
Over the past year Megan has served 30 families and helped them on their journey to self-sufficiency. She has assisted a total of seven families identified as MPP (Mandatory Participation) on their Journey to success. A family is identified as MPP by the County Assistance Office team, and these individuals are enrolled in a program to overcome barriers but are not deemed employable by their medical team due to physical or mental health concerns. Three of the MPP individuals received assistance with obtaining social security and maintaining their treatment plans from their medical and mental health providers. The remaining 20 families have all had the goal of employment, and of that 20, 13 families have achieved that goal. Four of the families that obtained employment were able to meet their retention goals for 6 or 12 months of employment off cash assistance.
Obtaining and maintaining employment for Work Ready families is not a simple feat. Most Work Ready families are larger than the standard American family, and the vast majority are single parent households. This means that childcare is essential along with reliable and flexible transportation. The Work Ready team works with all families on an individual basis to help overcome these barriers.
One of Megan’s most motivated participants this year obtained employment after just two months of the Work Ready program. As a single mother living in a shelter with three children in her care, she required many supports including childcare, transportation, housing, and employment. During the first two months we worked together to obtain stable childcare, transportation, and employment. She was able to receive subsidized childcare through the Early Learning Resource Center, she secured gainful employment, and qualified for STEP’s Employment Transportation Assistance Program. Recently she announced that she was able to secure safe and affordable housing through support with the YWCA.
“It is exciting to hear about the go-getters that obtain self-sufficiency quickly and move through program fast, but also it is very important to acknowledge the smaller successes and those who go through program more slowly, making the little changes that will have a huge impact on their lives and the lives of their children. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single STEP," said Megan Barckhoff.
