"Job Network" Factsheet

Baltimore County Department of Social Services (BCoDSS)
Family Investment Program

What is "Job Network"?
It's a job search, job retention and life skills program for adults who apply for or receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) in Baltimore County. Participation is mandatory for most TCA applicants and recipients.

What is the Purpose of Job Network?
Steady employment not only empowers individuals to take charge of their lives, it also pays more than TCA. Job Network aims to help TCA applicants and recipients obtain full-time jobs as quickly as possible and to remain steadily employed.

How Does Job Network Accomplish This Goal?
The first stop is "Winning New Jobs," a four-week motivational and job search program developed by the University of Michigan. Through a series of instructional activities based on cognitive and group therapy techniques, participants learn to overcome depression and anxiety; find jobs more efficiently; and manage their personal and family lives more effectively.

If Winning New Jobs participants are unable to find jobs within four weeks, they are referred to a more intensive follow-up program, "Workforce Solutions." This open-entry, open-exit program was designed by an organization with decades of experience serving people with disabilities. This holistic approach has proven valuable in working with TCA recipients as well.

Participants who are determined by a physician to have a work-limiting disability are referred to a specialized Workforce Solutions program, which provides vocational rehabilitation case management services. Depending upon their disability, participants get individualized help in applying for Social Security income or enrolling in rehabilitation programs leading to employment.

Participants in all Job Network activities are required to attend 30-35 hours a week. Nonparticipation leads to denial or cancellation of all TCA payments.

Who Operates Job Network Programs?
Job Network is a partnership of Baltimore County Department of Social Services (which manages the TCA system), the Community College of Baltimore County (which operates Winning New Jobs), and Workforce Solutions, Inc. (which operates the other work activities described above).

Where Do Job Network Activities Take Place?
Winning New Jobs classes begin every week at the Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville campus, and at the BCoDSS district office in Essex.

Can Job Network Participants Obtain Additional Education or Training?
Job Network primarily aims for rapid job placement into the best jobs of which participants are capable.

How Well Does Job Network Achieve Its Goals?
In Program Year 2001, Job Network made 1,045 job placement at an average wage of $7.73 per hour. Of these, 64 percent offered health care and other benefits. New hires worked an average of 35 hours per week. Compared with Program Year 2000, Job Network increased placements by 20 percent.

Revised February 3, 2005