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Program Description

Program/Practice Description: CBT provides TANF participants a chance to meet their work participation requirements through formal community service placements. CBT is geared toward individuals who have little work experience, and allows participants to develop skills needed to gain meaningful employment. Placements include unpaid work experience in nonprofit, for-profit, and government agencies, along with community service activities in schools, churches, and other nonprofit community organizations. Clients access CBT through three avenues:

  • DWD
  • TANF contractors through DWD
  • Self-identification

Placements vary among clients but, on average, have lasted 1 to 3 months. The maximum time a CBT placement may last is 6 months, unless otherwise agreed to by all parties. Employers who participate in CBT are required to provide an adequate job description and outline the skills that participants will gain during their placement. In addition to basic cash assistance, participants receive child care, transportation, and related supportive services. DWD has 18 TANF contracts with community-based organizations, including three faith-based contractors.

Background/Program History: This program evolved from another program called Work Pool, which places clients across the agency to help them develop work experience and job skills in a structured, stable, and flexible work environment.

Innovations and Results: CBT allows individuals with little to no work experience and multiple barriers to employment gain valuable job experience and develop tangible job skills to help them secure employment. This is done in a structured environment where clients have access to supportive services. Clients work closely with a business development associate to address barriers to employment, find a placement that will meet the client's employment goals, and follow up with the client and employer. From January to July 2007, 45.1 percent of TANF cases meeting work participation requirements were engaged in CBT. Overall, 37.1 percent of the Denver County TANF caseload is engaged in CBT.

Special Populations: Denver has developed a Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Consortium to meet the needs of refugees and other limited English proficient customers. The VESL Consortium consists of representatives from DWD, contract partners, and the Colorado Refugee Services program. The VESL Consortium has developed several culturally competent CBT opportunities to meet the needs of this population.