New York City Council
Committee on General Welfare
Sep 10, 2024
·
10:00 AM
1 hr 50 min
Summary
A hearing on the Human Resources Administration (HRA)'s career services offerings, exploring programs like Career Pathways, Business Link, PINC, Jobs Plus, CUNY EDGE, and WeCARE.
Discussions focused on:
- The transition to a consolidated "one door" model
- High denial rates for cash assistance applications
- Job placement statistics
- Concerns about reinstated work requirements
Council members advocated for more diverse job opportunities, better transitional support, and expanded services for vulnerable populations.
Features testimony from HRA Administrator Scott French, representatives from nonprofit organizations including NADAP Inc., Project Renewal, GMHC, and Women in Need (WIN), and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Diana Ayala's opening remarks on HRA career services hearing
Council Member Diana Ayala, as Chair of the General Welfare Committee, opens the hearing on the Human Resources Administration's (HRA) Career Services Offerings. She provides an overview of HRA's career …
0:00:33
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173 sec
Introduction and overview of HRA's role in career services
Scott French, Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA), introduces the topic of HRA's career services and provides an overview of their importance in connecting low-income New Yorkers to workforce …
0:03:40
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123 sec
Description of Career Pathways program components
Scott French describes the Career Pathways suite of service programs, which provides various engagement and job-related services to HRA clients. He details the three main components of Career Pathways: CareerCompass, …
0:05:43
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73 sec
Overview of Business Link program
Scott French provides a brief overview of the Business Link program, which focuses on matching employers with job seekers through targeted outreach and skills assessment. The program utilizes various methods …
0:06:56
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18 sec
Description of Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers (PINC) program
Scott French introduces the Pathways to Industrial and Construction Careers (PINC) program, an initiative arising from the US Economic Development Administration's Good Jobs Challenge within the American Rescue Plan of …
0:07:15
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28 sec
Overview of Jobs Plus program
Scott French provides an overview of the Jobs Plus program, a place-based employment program administered by HRA for residents in 40 New York City Housing Authority developments. The program aims …
0:07:44
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25 sec
Description of CUNY EDGE program
Scott French describes the CUNY EDGE (Educate, Develop, Graduate, and Empower) program, a joint initiative between HRA and CUNY designed to support HRA clients enrolled at CUNY schools. The program …
0:08:09
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17 sec
Overview of Alternative Engagement (AE) programs
Scott French provides an overview of Alternative Engagement (AE) programs, which assist clients interested in high-demand, skills-based training in rapidly growing occupations. These programs aim to prepare clients for emerging …
0:08:27
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18 sec
Description of WeCARE program
Scott French describes the Wellness Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment (WeCARE) program, which provides comprehensive services to HRA cash assistance clients with medical, physical, and/or mental health conditions that impact …
0:08:45
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25 sec
Recent RFPs and future plans for HRA's career services
Scott French discusses recent Request for Proposals (RFPs) and future plans for HRA's career services, highlighting the agency's efforts to improve and refine their offerings. He mentions the development of …
0:09:10
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44 sec
Key concepts guiding HRA's career services model
Scott French outlines the key concepts that guide HRA's career services model and inform their strategy in developing new RFPs. These concepts focus on client-centered approaches, progressive workforce development practices, …
0:09:55
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103 sec
Legal and regulatory framework for HRA operations
Scott French explains the legal and regulatory framework within which HRA operates, highlighting the various levels of oversight and compliance requirements. This framework influences HRA's policies and procedures, including those …
0:11:39
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39 sec
Return to mandatory engagement and sanctions post-COVID-19
Scott French explains the resumption of mandatory engagement requirements and potential sanctions for cash assistance clients following the COVID-19 pandemic pause. He outlines HRA's approach to implementing these requirements and …
0:12:18
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64 sec
Higher NYC Human Services program and its impact on job placements
Scott French introduces the Higher NYC Human Services program, which leverages city contracting dollars to secure employment for cash assistance clients. The program requires contracted providers to hire a certain …
0:13:24
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70 sec
Job placement statistics and successes
Scott French presents job placement statistics and successes achieved through HRA's programs, particularly focusing on the Higher NYC Human Services program and Business Link. The data demonstrates significant growth in …
0:14:34
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14 sec
Conclusion and reassurance of HRA's commitment to helping New Yorkers
Scott French concludes his testimony by reaffirming HRA's commitment to supporting job seekers and acknowledging the challenges of the job search process. He emphasizes the wide range of resources available …
0:14:49
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94 sec
Council Member Ayala shares her personal experience with education programs
Council Member Diana I. Ayala shares her personal experience with education programs as a young single parent. She describes how she was encouraged to get her GED and enroll in …
0:16:36
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99 sec
Discussion on changes in contract structure during the pandemic
Council Member Ayala inquires about the current contract structure for career services providers, and Scott French explains the changes made during the pandemic. - During the pandemic, performance-based contracts were …
0:18:15
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102 sec
Safeguards to ensure providers work with all referred clients
Council Member Ayala inquires about safeguards in place to prevent providers from selectively working with only certain clients. Scott French explains the measures HRA has in place to ensure fair …
0:19:57
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89 sec
Comparison of current programs to past work requirements (WEP)
Council Member Ayala expresses concerns about past work requirement programs like WEP (Work Experience Program) and asks how current programs differ. She shares an example of a person with a …
0:21:27
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85 sec
Shift from WEP to internship-focused programs
Scott French explains how HRA has moved away from the Work Experience Program (WEP) to focus on more beneficial internship-based programs. He outlines the new approach to providing meaningful work …
0:22:53
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94 sec
Contract terms and duration for career services providers
Council Member Ayala inquires about the typical contract terms for career services providers, and Scott French provides details on contract duration and renewal options. - Typical contracts are 3 years …
0:24:27
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57 sec
Timeline for new PACE and We Care programs
Council Member Ayala asks about the expected start date for the new PACE and We Care programs. Scott French provides a specific timeline for the implementation of these new contracts. …
0:25:21
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9 sec
Changes in future program models and RFPs for career services
Scott French outlines the anticipated changes in future program models and RFPs for career services, based on lessons learned from previous contracts and client feedback. - Shift from 27 individual …
0:25:34
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3 min
Council Member Avilés questions HRA on contract consolidation and service impacts
Council Member Alexa Avilés seeks clarification from HRA Administrator Scott French about the consolidation of contracts from 27 to 9 and its potential impact on services. French explains the rationale …
0:28:57
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3 min
Discussion on contract performance and potential payment reductions
Council Member Diana I. Ayala inquires about the possibility of groups not receiving their full contract amount based on diploma targets. Administrator Scott French explains that while theoretically possible, HRA …
0:31:58
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48 sec
Overview of performance metrics and reporting in HRA contracts
Administrator Scott French provides a detailed explanation of the performance metrics used in HRA contracts and the frequency of progress reports from providers. The discussion covers various aspects of performance …
0:32:45
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81 sec
Detailed walkthrough of HRA's current career services model and client assessment process
Administrator Scott French provides a comprehensive explanation of HRA's current career services model, detailing the process from client enrollment to assessment and service matching. The walkthrough covers various stages and …
0:34:08
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175 sec
Council Member Cabán provides background on GMHC's RISE program and its elimination
Council Member Tiffany Cabán provides context on GMHC's RISE program, which has helped 674 clients find employment since 2014 through culturally competent assistance. She explains that the program's contract was …
0:37:11
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63 sec
Q&A on the transfer of RISE program clients to other HRA services
Council Member Cabán inquires about the transfer of RISE program clients to other HRA services following the program's elimination. Administrator Scott French responds, explaining the process and outcomes for affected …
0:38:15
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132 sec
Q&A on specialized services for LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS communities
Council Member Cabán inquires about the specialized nature of the HASA program for LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS communities. Administrator Scott French explains the program's design and approach to serving these populations. …
0:40:27
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145 sec
Council Member Cabán emphasizes the importance of specialized services for vulnerable populations
Council Member Cabán concludes by emphasizing the importance of truly specialized services for vulnerable populations, using a personal example to illustrate her point about the value of targeted organizations and …
0:42:52
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74 sec
Discussion on budget for employment services contracts
Council Member Ayala inquires about the budget for employment services contracts in fiscal years 2025 and beyond. Scott French from HRA responds that there's no intention of budget decline but …
0:44:23
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73 sec
Overview of types of employment services contracts
Scott French explains that not all 62 contracts are exclusively for HRA clients. He outlines various programs and their target populations. - Some programs serve HRA clients with engagement requirements, …
0:45:36
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53 sec
Inquiry about contracted providers for employment services
Council Member Ayala asks about the contracted providers for direct employment services and the programs they offer. Scott French indicates that it's a large list and commits to following up …
0:46:29
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14 sec
RFP changes and budget implications for employment services
Council Member Ayala inquires about potential budget changes due to the release of the RFP. Scott French explains the process of determining contract values. - Final contract values are still …
0:46:51
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49 sec
HRA's strategy for achieving employment retention rate goals
Scott French explains HRA's approach to achieving its 80% retention rate goal at the 180-day mark for Career Pathways participants. He emphasizes the shift from voluntary to mandatory engagement and …
0:47:42
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133 sec
Council Member Restler greets Administrator Scott French
Council Member Lincoln Restler begins by greeting Administrator Scott French and congratulating Lamar on his promotion within the Department of Social Services. They briefly discuss how to address each other. …
0:49:56
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13 sec
Update on Jobs Plus program status and potential expansion
Council Member Restler inquires about the status of the Jobs Plus workforce development program, including its current reach and potential for expansion. Administrator French provides details on the program's scope …
0:50:09
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66 sec
Update on food stamps and cash assistance backlog clearance
Council Member Restler asks for an update on the clearance of food stamps and cash assistance case backlogs, which was previously announced. Administrator French confirms that the backlog clearance has …
0:51:15
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101 sec
Concerns over increased cash assistance rejection rates and work requirements
Council Member Restler expresses concern about the significant increase in cash assistance application rejection rates, from 5% pre-pandemic to nearly 45% in summer 2023. He also raises questions about the …
0:52:58
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154 sec
Explanation of mandatory engagement implementation and sanction process
Administrator French provides a comprehensive explanation of the implementation of mandatory engagement and the sanction process for cash assistance recipients. He details the tiered approach, education efforts, and safeguards in …
0:55:33
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5 min
Ongoing concerns about increased denial rates and bureaucratic challenges
Council Member Restler acknowledges the information provided but expresses ongoing concerns about the increased denial rates for cash assistance applications. He emphasizes the need for further investigation into the causes …
1:00:50
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47 sec
Concerns about Schermerhorn site incident and long waiting times
Council Member Restler raises concerns about a recent incident at the Schermerhorn HRA site, where a fight led to a stabbing. He also highlights issues with extremely long waiting times …
1:01:37
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62 sec
Request for briefing on HRA site changes in downtown Brooklyn
Council Member Restler requests information about plans to close and shift HRA sites in downtown Brooklyn. Administrator French agrees to provide a follow-up briefing on the matter. - Restler mentions …
1:02:41
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33 sec
Discussion of Jobs Plus program cuts and impacts
Council Member Diana I. Ayala inquires about recent cuts to the Jobs Plus program, which serves New York City housing developments. Scott French from HRA confirms that two contracts were …
1:03:15
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5 min
Types of job opportunities and career paths offered through HRA programs
Council Member Ayala expresses concerns about the types of employment opportunities offered through HRA programs, particularly in the Jobs Plus program. She emphasizes the need for better career paths and …
1:08:57
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4 min
Industries of interest for HRA job placements
Council Member Ayala inquires about the industries of interest to HRA when contracting with organizations for job placements. Scott French provides information on the focus areas for different programs. - …
1:13:28
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46 sec
Impact of employment on benefits and transitional assistance
Council Member Ayala inquires about how quickly individuals lose their benefits after securing employment and what transitional assistance is available. Scott French explains the process and available supports. - There …
1:14:14
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5 min
HRA's collaboration with other agencies for workforce development
Council Member Ayala inquires about HRA's referrals to other agencies for workforce development opportunities. Scott French explains the collaborative efforts and data tracking challenges. - HRA has ongoing referrals to …
1:19:19
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4 min
CUNY EDGE program enrollment and outcomes
Council Member Ayala inquires about the current enrollment and outcomes of the CUNY Edge program. Scott French provides detailed statistics on enrollment and degrees earned. - For the fall 2024 …
1:23:28
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3 min
Work Progress Program (WPP) for young adults
Council Member Ayala inquires about the Work Progress Program, which assists nonprofit organizations in providing internship opportunities to low-income young adults. Scott French provides current statistics on the program. - …
1:26:46
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37 sec
Request for data on HRA's career services programs
Council Member Ayala requests detailed data on HRA's career services programs, including Youth Pathways, Career Compass, and Career Advance. Scott French explains the limitations on current data availability due to …
1:27:27
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116 sec
Reimagining workforce development for young people and HRA's collaboration with DYCD
Council Member Althea Stevens inquires about HRA's partnership with DYCD and how they are reimagining workforce development for young people in New York City. Scott French from HRA explains their …
1:29:36
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134 sec
Holistic approach to workforce development and interagency collaboration
Council Member Stevens emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to workforce development, connecting services across agencies. Scott French expresses interest in formalizing relationships and creating better connections between …
1:31:50
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43 sec
Impact of Jobs Plus program cuts and the need for flexible community-based services
Council Member Diana I. Ayala expresses concern over the loss of the Jobs Plus programs and emphasizes the need for more flexible, community-based workforce development services. She highlights the connection …
1:32:33
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97 sec
Addressing diverse workforce development needs: Young mothers, non-college bound youth, and mental health professionals
Council Member Ayala discusses the need for comprehensive support for young mothers and employment resources for youth who may not pursue college education. She also highlights the demand for social …
1:34:11
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145 sec
Testimony by Meryl Kordower, Vice President for Workforce Services at NADAP Inc., on HRA's Career Services Programs
Meryl Kordower, Vice President for Workforce Services at NADAP Inc., testified about their organization's involvement with HRA's career services programs, particularly Career Compass. She highlighted NADAP's focus on helping New …
1:38:17
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123 sec
Testimony by Lanette Chever, Senior Director of Workforce Development at Project Renewal
Lanette Chever from Project Renewal presented testimony on the organization's workforce development programs for individuals facing barriers to employment. She highlighted the success of their Next Step internship program and …
1:40:43
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156 sec
Testimony by Daniel Hiraldo, Job Developer and Retention Specialist, Workforce Development Program at GMHC
Daniel Hiraldo from GMHC testified about the importance of their workforce development program for people living with HIV and AIDS, despite losing funding for their RISE program due to budget …
1:43:49
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166 sec
Testimony by Katie Masi, Director of the Income Building Program at Women in Need (WIN)
Katie Masi from Women in Need (WIN) testified about challenges with HRA's career services for cash assistance clients in shelters. She highlighted issues with communication, engagement, and the potential negative …
1:46:42
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117 sec
Testimony by Towaki Komatsu, Member of the Public
Towaki Komatsu provided a critical testimony addressing various concerns about the hearing process and his personal experiences with the city's employment services. He raised issues about being excluded from a …
1:49:19
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50 sec