PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Katie Masi, Director of the Income Building Program at Women in Need (WIN)
1:46:42
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117 sec
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 impact of benefit sanctions on clients.
- 77% of WIN clients have active cash assistance cases, but job placements through HRA's career services remain low
- Communication challenges include unreliable phone calls, overreliance on online processes, and ineffective mail notifications
- WIN is concerned about the reinstatement of benefit sanctions and its potential impact on clients
Katie Masi
1:46:42
Good afternoon, Cherry Ale.
1:46:43
Thank you for the to the committee members for the opportunity to testify.
1:46:47
My name is Katie Massey, and I'm the Director of the income building program at Wynn, the city's largest provider of shelter in support of housing to families with children.
1:46:55
Last night, just under 7000 people called Wynn home, including just over 30 600 children.
1:47:02
Wins income building program provides clients with a safe space to heal and transition from unemployment to employment.
1:47:09
We also provide career coaching for improving job quality.
1:47:12
As of yesterday, 77% of our clients had an active cash assistance instance case, meaning they are eligible for HRA's career services.
1:47:20
However, actual job placements through HRA's career services remain low.
1:47:25
HRA's engagement with clients' connections to opportunities and communication with shelter providers through the job referral processes has become increasingly challenging to navigate, especially since the pandemic.
1:47:37
At present, clients are called from restrictive phone numbers.
1:47:40
If they missed this call, their case, and by extension access to assistance, can be delayed.
1:47:45
Given the high percentage of our clients with a history of domestic violence, expecting clients to answer unknown phone numbers is unrealistic and challenging.
1:47:54
When our clients go to HRA centers to open their cases and ask about career services, they are frequently told instead to apply via Access HRA.
1:48:02
Relying heavily on online processes is deeply impersonal and discourages engagement, especially for non English speakers.
1:48:10
Excuse me.
1:48:11
When referred to potential opportunities, clients also receive notices via mail.
1:48:16
When mail is unreliable for clients and shelter who frequently move around until they are deemed shelter eligible.
1:48:22
While text to work has worked well for our clients and staff, we are concerned that HRA's communication, inefficiencies can hurt our clients benefit sanctions have recently been reinstated.
1:48:32
We are eager to continue working with HRA Career Services to help improve communication and engagement with our clients.
1:48:38
Thank you for the opportunity today.