In this second annual summary of the their work, the Investing in Community Initiative provides practical advice for community leaders and policymakers around four critical issues. First, how should local needs be defined? Chapter 1 argues that data about local economies can show whether communities are best served by creating new jobs,…

Researchers asked 17 participants in a job-training program to describe their personal struggles following an economic restructuring. Examined through a critical theoretical lens, findings indicate that the learners enrolled in the program to reclaim security, dignity, meaningful work, and caring relationships. Program planners at community…

A more businesslike approach to job development, which stresses meeting employer needs, is encouraged for growth in supported employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Seven job development guidelines are offered, including research businesses to identify personnel needs and problems, and define services so employers understand…

The importance of rural areas in Finland is discussed. Padasjoki is used as an example of the problems of a small rural town and the solutions: creation of jobs and changes in land and housing policies. The Padasjoki model in theory and practice is examined. (CT)

To begin implementation of job development and other efforts, a Nassau County task force committee composed of representatives from business, labor, education, and government recruited a job developer to coordinate a county-wide program designed to increase employment opportunities for persons age 55 and over. Objectives of the committee include…

This report on youth employment programs is intended to help prime sponsors and program operators implement innovative youth employment efforts under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and the Youth Employment and Demonstration Project Act (YEDPA). The content is in two chapters. Chapter 1 covers the introduction, meeting…

A three-year project involving 27 participants was conducted to develop and apply a model vocational rehabilitation service program for cerebral palsied individuals; the project included assessment, work adjustment training, and placement. Included in the project were the following activities: (1) demonstrating a service delivery model of…

Vocational education can contribute to the creation of new jobs through educational programs for employers or prospective employers and through collaborative efforts with community leaders. Local leadership is the most essential ingredient in successful job creation programs at the community level. Local leaders can work to obtain baseline…

This guide explains how to establish a program of supported work that can be used to enable hard-to-employ individuals (including disabled persons, ex-offenders, and rehabilitated drug and alcohol abusers) to obtain and retain jobs. The program described is based on the following five concepts: real job assignments, graduated stress, sympathetic…

This training manual provides practical guidelines for staff development in supported employment programs for individuals with severe disabilities. It provides information on designing and developing training programs using adult learning principles, for program managers or trainers responsible for implementing inservice training and technical…

This combination procedures manual and annotated bibliography is intended to assist faculty and staff at community colleges in North Carolina in developing centralized job placement and development services. The first section describes the project to establish centralized employment services at Guilford Technical Community College during which the…

A committee examined the number, type, and quality of work and training opportunities available for heads of households under Maine's Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program and suggested ways to improve them. Comprised of such representatives of the private and public sectors as employers, AFDC recipients, welfare advocates,…

This paper provides program planners with some innovative ideas that have been used in all phases of various multi-service programs for high-risk youth. Chapter 2 focuses on strategies for assessing participant needs. Diagnosis, learning disabilities and remediation, and staff training are discussed. Chapter 3 considers elimination of service gaps…

Project QUEST (Quality Employment through Skills Training) was begun in 1992 to provide unemployed and working poor residents of San Antonio, Texas, with employment training and job placement services. The program provides tuition subsidies and ancillary support services to low-income San Antonio residents enrolled in two-year associate's degree…