Program Implementation

Tips to Implementation: The following are important to remember when implementing this program:

Keys to Success:

• One of the biggest obstacles Baltimore City faced was that its vendors, whether government or for-profit, did not know how to meet the requirements to achieve work participation. Therefore, the city implemented monthly performance management meetings to assist vendors with this issue. Family Investment Bureau central office staff take time to teach vendors successful approaches to meet the requirements of work participation and attain performance benchmarks. Central office staffs meet separately with each vendor to review and discuss the previous month's performance and recommend strategies for improvement. Central staff also meet monthly with each Family Investment Center staff. Staff at all levels are involved, ensuring that those who actually carry out program activities understand the expectations.
• Baltimore City is a large jurisdiction. Focused leadership in the central office is vital to WPS success. To facilitate collaboration among the city, its satellite offices, and employment vendors, the win-win nature of the partnership and collectively making the endeavor successful are emphasized. Having the experience and understanding of what works best, as well as providing ongoing feedback to sites, enhances and supports the partnerships.

Challenges: Meeting DRA work participation rates has been difficult. In the State of Maryland, TCA customers are given benefits at the beginning of the month, regardless of whether they meet the required number of work participation hours for the month. The State has a 30-day conciliation procedure and subsequent tiered sanction process to encourage customers to meet DRA requirements. However, the city continues to have problems keeping customers fully engaged for the required number of work participation hours. The city continues to develop and implement strategies to address and reduce issues related to work participation deficiencies.