H2FY19 - January 1, 2019-March 31, 2019 Activities focused on establishing outreach and referral processes with local partners such as: Worcester County Sheriff’s office, Truancy Reduction Program, Board of Education, high schools within Worcester County, American Legion, Kiwanis Club, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, Pocomoke Rotary Club, Delmarva Condominium Managers Association, Worcester County high school principals, Ocean City Lions Club, JA Fellows Program, Berlin Area Ministries Union, AGH Healthy Happenings Team, Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club, LSWA Youth Standing Advisory Committee, Berlin Job Fair, PRMC, Artic Heating and Air, Worcester County Development Center, Berlin Lioness, Department of Juvenile Services, Stephen Decatur Job Fair, Cannery Village, Holy Savior Church, Seaside Christian Academy, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Coastal Community Connections, and the Ocean City Job Fair.

April 1, 2019-June 30, 2019 This quarter’s work focused on five clients.  “Opportunity Youth” were identified by Stephen Decatur High School and obtained from the Ocean City Job Fair.  A Worcester County high school guidance counselor identified graduates who had no employment or schooling plans post-high school.  The OC Job Fair provided the opportunity to provide job interview tips and solicit job candidates who had not yet secured employment. In early April, work focused on a 24-year-old male who was recruited through the Ocean City Job Fair.  Staff met with the One Stop Job Market to better understand the state unemployment process.  Transportation and distance to the American Job Center from Worcester County was also discussed and identified as a major barrier.  While it was informative to meet with the American Job Center and learn more about Unemployment Insurance, we did not receive any referrals from the organization. On April 17, staff met with the Dean and Director of Workforce Development at Wor-Wic Community College.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways in which we could partner and/or obtain referrals for students graduating from a trade program and in need of a job.  Staff also proposed obtaining referrals for students at risk of withdrawing or had recently withdrawn.  While they appreciated this initiative, they indicated they have staff who counsel students in those situations.  It was discussed that Driver’s Education is offered in Berlin as well as at Wor-Wic and scholarship opportunities are available.  Staff also discussed opportunities for college tours for prospective students, so they could get a better idea of what academic and trade programs are offered at the school. 

On April 24, staff met with an individual who was recruited through the Ocean City Job Fair.  After assessments it was determined that she did not require any additional assistance in Self Care to Work and Study Life.  She did however need assistance in Housing and Money Management (building credit, learning about renting an apartment, etc.).

On April 30, staff attended Opportunity Day at Worcester Technical High School.  Ten students were recruited for Youth Connects. On May 14^th, staff attended the Business Expo held by the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce.  The purpose of staff attendance was to network with businesses and explore employment opportunities for Youth Connects participants.  During the expo, staff talked to all of the businesses marketing their services including 5 Star Heating and Plumbing, Atlantic General, Farmer’s Bank of Willards, State Farm Insurance, and Visiting Angels Homecare.  The most successful events took place in the schools.  The job fairs and Opportunity Day were great ways to interact with students in this age group and find out more about what they’re struggling with.  Most of them suggested the schools could do more preparing them for careers after graduation.

H1FY19 - During the first half of FY19, Worcester Youth and Family, who is the vendor for the Youth Connection Center, was unable to provide services to the targeted populations until the contract between the Local Management Board and Worcester Youth and Family could be executed. This also stalled the progress of outreach to local partners as well. Worcester Youth and Family begun re-tooling for the Youth Connection Center mid Aug, when the LMB staff met with the agency. Worcester Youth and Family developed program information, including flyers, brochures and other outreach materials to start to outreach to community partners once the contract was executed.

Contract execution was completed by December. Worcester Youth and Family has developed an outreach and recruitment plan for the second half of FY19.