Army Community Service (ACS) Employment Readiness Program (ERP) Orientation

Transcription

1 Army Community Service (ACS) (ERP) Orientation Class Description: The purpose of this orientation is to familiarize new staff members (paid/contractor/volunteer) with the mission, operation, services offered, and responsibilities of the ACS (ERP). Target Audience: ACS/Family Programs staff new to the ERP who have completed initial in-processing and ACS orientation. Instructor: Program Manager Class Length: minutes Equipment and Supplies: Digital Projector Computer Viewing Screen Orientation Materials: Script Handouts 1. ERP History 2. ERP Services Offered 3. ERP Position Descriptions Slides Learning Objectives 3. History of ERP 4. ERP Mission Statement JUN 11 Script 1

2 5. ERP Services Offered 6. ERP Policies and Procedures 7. Learning Objectives 8. Learning Objectives: At the end of this class, participants will be prepared to: 1. Discuss the ERP Program. 2. Identify the mission, operation, services offered, and responsibilities of the ACS (ERP). Per Army Regulation (AR) 608-1, Army Community Service (ACS) Center, all ACS staff (paid and volunteer) will receive an orientation to specific programs to include: - the history/goal, mission and vision, organizational structure, and services provided by the program; - their assigned duties; - program and office procedures such as documenting volunteer service hours, policy and procedures for obtaining reimbursement for incidental expense, award policies, grievance procedures; - line of supervision; - the importance of confidentiality; - and other relevant matters. The time required to present the script for this class has been predetermined. If circumstances do not allow for the required time, use the following guidelines to prioritize topics: - Target audience - Audience knowledge level - Actual allotted time - Accreditation standards (Active Component) For a small group or individual orientation, you may want to use a paper copy of slides and deliver the orientation desk-side. For a large group it is recommended that a digital projector be used. JUN 11 Script 2

3 1. Introduction SHOW Slide 1: Welcome to the (ERP) Orientation. We are excited that you are joining our program. My name is and we are going to review the mission, operation, services offered, and responsibilities of the ACS Employment Readiness Program, or what we refer to as ERP. Since we will be working together in various aspects of this program, let s get to know each other better. Begin the introductions. Depending on what people tell you about themselves during their introduction, you may already know the answers to the following questions. Change the questions as appropriate. Pause for responses after each question. Possible questions to ask: What motivated you to join ERP? PAUSE for responses Do you have any ERP experience? PAUSE for responses If so, how long have you been with the program and in what capacity? PAUSE for responses Those of you who have participated in assisting others with the Employment Readiness processes before, what makes you want to continue to support this program? PAUSE for responses SHOW Slide 2: Learning Objectives REVIEW Learning Objectives. By the end of this orientation, you will be prepared to: 1. Discuss the. 2. Identify the mission, operation, services offered, and responsibilities of the ACS (ERP). JUN 11 Script 3

4 2. Mission SHOW Slide 3: History of ERP. ACS FMEAP was established by order of the DCSPER in 1985 to provide employment assistance to Family members. Turn to Handout 1: ERP History. Please take a couple of minutes to review the ERP history. GIVE participants a moment to review. SHOW Slide 4: ERP Mission Statement The mission of ERP is to assist individuals in acquiring skills, networks, and resources that will allow them to participate in the work force and to develop a career/work plan. We provide comprehensive, accurate, easily accessible, and up-to-date information on available employment opportunities. We also outline education and volunteer resources and support services which can help customers make informed decisions on seeking employment. As a program we provide a menu of local resources available for the job seeker s use. The ERP Program is guided by AR for our program regulation and policy. 3. Program Overview SHOW Slide 5: ERP Overview There are several components that are the core requirements of ERP staff. Turn to Handout 2: ERP Services Offered. Take a few minutes to read over the requirements of ERP handout, and then we will discuss them in greater detail. PAUSE. There are several requirements or services that the ERP program staff provide to clients. Client services include: a. Employment and volunteer opportunities. b. Support services to help customers make informed decisions. c. Education resources (scholarships, grants, student aid, tuition assistance, points of contact and education partners). JUN 11 Script 4

5 d. Resources for job seeker s use (computers with web and printer access, fax machines, telephones, copiers, and resource center). e. Job fairs. Job search assistance and training has a variety of components. These include presentation of classes, seminars, or individual sessions conducted to empower job seekers for effective job searches. Job search training and classes bridge the gap between the job seeker and his or her goals and include the topics listed on the handout. PAUSE. Career counseling and coaching Individual and group counseling will be provided for assessing job skills and developing and implementing career goals. The counseling will help individuals to develop and implement realistic career goals by identifying job strengths and weaknesses and career/educational goals. We also provide information about opportunities available in the local area for personal and professional development. Many times these local opportunities may require individuals to complete an assessment tool. Counseling and coaching by employment readiness staff can be provided one-on-one or in group counseling or coaching sessions. The types of sessions we offer are outlined on the handout. PAUSE. There are simple materials and tools available for you to assist a customer with selfassessments. Individuals take their own assessments, and we are available to provide any guidance they may need. Employment opportunity development By developing employment partnerships with private industry, ERP staff can increase private sector career opportunities for spouses of active duty military. You can also connect spouses with portable jobs and other methods of pursuing lifetime career goals. One of the most important of these partnerships is known as the Army Spouse Employment Partnership (ASEP) program. The program was established to provide Army spouses with an opportunity to attain financial security, and to achieve employment goals through career mobility and enhanced employment options. Corporation partnerships are growing each year. Partners can now tap into a pool of readily available, diverse, and talented candidates. When you take time to outreach to employers, you are able to develop employment opportunities and a private sector job bank. Look on the handout of what should be included in a job bank. PAUSE. Job Fairs ERP staff will organize an annual Job Fair, and some larger installations may have Job Fairs quarterly or even monthly! Job Fairs are a great way to bring employers into a common venue so that military spouses have the opportunity to meet with potential JUN 11 Script 5

6 employers and learn about employment vacancies. Both on and off post employers can be invited to host a table. More discussion may be generated be prepared to provide specifics for your local area. Marketing The will effectively market services to individuals and command leadership. In addition, a successful marketing strategy throughout the community allows Families new to the duty station to become familiar with ERP services. This will be accomplished through: At this time, you could expand upon the marketing plan that pertains to your local program. Possible marketing tools could include: -- Press releases -- Open houses -- Installation marquee -- Focus groups -- Booths (add to other events) -- Chamber of Commerce -- Installation Housing -- Partnerships What are your questions about the ERP s requirements? PAUSE to allow participants time to ask questions. It is important to remember that ERP provides a variety of services to a wide range of clients, and getting to know your clients and their expectations will allow you to better serve them. 4. Program Procedures and Policies SHOW Slide 6: ERP Procedures and Policies It takes dedicated and caring staff to make the ERP run smoothly. Our staff, YOU, are the soul of the ERP. It is important for you to understand how you will fit into our team. You should not only be comfortable with what is expected of you, but you will also feel gratification from sharing your valuable skills by educating others. No matter what your previous experience or why you have chosen to join us today, we are excited that you are here. JUN 11 Script 6

7 We are going to take a little time to review and discuss our program s procedures and policies. Prior to class generate Handout 1 inserting position descriptions that pertain to your specific location. Turn to Handout 3: ERP Position Descriptions. GO over the types of positions that are generally available in your ERP program. While the is an Army-wide program, depending on the location, size of the program, and the client base, there are variations from program to program. Let s talk about some of the things that pertain specifically to our program at (INSERT your community name). Depending on your program size, location, ACS support, etc., there are items you should cover in this discussion, as applicable: - Program s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - Office location and contact information - Office hours of operation; work schedule - Clear program and personnel guidelines, including telephone etiquette, customer service, and appropriate and inappropriate behavior - Local training calendar - Professional Development opportunities - Conduct of classes (if applicable) - Local website - How to use web tracking systems (VMIS/FPMS/JSS) (if a volunteer) - Available materials/supplies/equipment to do the job - Safe/risk free and friendly working environment - Available child care (if a volunteer) - Appropriate recognition - Other information that pertains to your program Depending on audience familiarity with facility, conduct a tour of the office/facility as appropriate: - Where volunteers sign in - Where students register to take classes - Where instructors sign up to teach classes - Where to record volunteer hours - Office supplies (paper, pens, pencils, file folders, etc.) JUN 11 Script 7

8 - Office equipment (telephone, copier, computer, fax machine, etc.) - Resource library - DA Materials (Instructor and Student materials) - Other items pertinent to your local program As staff members you will maintain acceptable standards of conduct in conjunction with local guidelines and policies. Some of your duties may require access to records, or may require you to perform your duties in areas where sensitive information may be discussed. Every ACS staff member must complete a confidentiality statement and/or comply with information protection policies. PROVIDE tour of office/facility if needed; then return to the classroom to conclude the orientation. 5. Summary We have discussed a little bit about the history of ERP and its mission. We ve reviewed the services we offer as a program. We ve also discussed the procedures and polices of our program. What questions do you have pertaining to our ERP Program? Is there anything we have not discussed that you would like to talk about before we conclude this orientation? PAUSE and answer any questions that are asked. SHOW Slide 7: Learning Objectives REVIEW Learning Objectives by asking the following questions: 1. What are some important elements in the? 2. What is our mission in the ERP? What services do we offer? What are some of the roles and responsibilities within the? SHOW Slide 8: ERP Orientation Thank you for attending this orientation. At this time, please complete your evaluations. JUN 11 Script 8