Southeast Community Services

SECS is one of thirteen CWFs in Indianapolis, providing career coaching, financial coaching and income supports through a bundled-service approach. The target population is low-income individuals with significant barriers, many of whom are chronically unemployed or under-employed. CWF services are grouped into employment coaching (individual and group-based on a variety of topics), financial coaching (individual and group-based with basic budgeting, improving credit scores, and more), income supports (e.g. WIC, TANF), and basic education (assistance with the High School Equivalency exam and industry-specific certification exams). Studies of the CWF model have shown that clients who receive bundled services in one location are three to four times more likely to achieve a major economic outcome (such as staying employed, earning a vocational certification or associates degree, or buying a car) than clients receiving only one type of service.SECS provides career services through a tiered approach based on client readiness and capacity for improving their financial situation. Each tier provides a more advanced level of service to reach clients with greater ability to utilize advanced financial planning tools. All clients receive basic job readiness and financial literacy coaching, assistance with public benefits where necessary and additional employment services tailored to their specific needs. The tiered approach is implemented as follows:Tier One clients are those with more limited work histories or other substantial barriers to employment (such as criminal background). Services for this tier are focused on job readiness, placement, and retention, basic financial literacy and money management, and income and work supports and other public benefits as necessary.Tier Two clients are those with fewer barriers but still requiring considerable employment and financial coaching. These clients may not be ready to buy a house, but they would benefit from such services as credit counseling, assistance with paying debts, managing bank accounts, and developing emergency savings funds.Tier Three clients are those with the strongest work history and fewer employment needs. As such, these clients receive more advanced asset-building coaching, such as assistance with buying a house and/or car, developing personal financial balance sheets, obtaining individual development accounts, etc.Employment services are both individualized and group-based. Employment Coaches, Financial Coaches and Income Supports Coaches provide one-on-one employment counseling, job search assistance; resume assistance, interview training, computer skill-building, financial education, job retention services, and barrier busting support. Classes are conducted in SECS state-of-the-art computer lab, complete with a SMART whiteboard for enhanced instruction. Financial coaching and income support services are integrated within SECS employment program in order to maximize clients opportunities for long-term self-sufficiency.SECS also provides barrier busting support on a case-by-case basis to assist job-seekers with overcoming specific barriers to employment. Last year, barrier busting support enabled clients to apply for licenses required for their positions, pursue medical interpreter training, receive transportation to and from work, and purchase work boots. In each case, these clients would not have been able to secure and/or maintain employment without the barrier busting support, or it would have been at the expense of other basic needs such as food or medications. Allocation of barrier busting support is discussed each Friday on a case-by-case basis during staff case conference meetings. Each case is discussed in considerable detail to ensure that barrier busting funds are used appropriately, and staff members remain in contact with each recipient to monitor progress toward their career goals.