The goal of the POWER Project was to show how a for profit company, essentially acting as an employee leasing agency, could place TANF recipients in quality jobs, integrate participants into the workplace, support them through the transition off of federal assistance, and move them on to the business' payroll.

POWER was organized to harness the positive dynamics of employee leasing and contingent labor to serve the specific needs of TANF recipients entering the workplace. Through the project, TANF participants were hired by Employment Trust, Inc. and placed in new jobs created as a result of CEI's financial and business assistance. Initially, ETI handled all human resource functions for the participant, including training and evaluation, and paid their wages and benefits.

The project builds on CEI's 20-year record of creating low-income employment opportunities in Maine by providing financial and technical assistance to job-generating businesses. It also builds on Employment Trust, Inc.'s proven record of success using the Managed Work Services approach to help people with disabilities obtain, maintain, and advance in employment of their informed choice. The project allowed ETI to strengthen its business by broadening and diversifying its customer base. It offered CEI and ETI a chance to demonstrate and fine-tune this model's effectiveness in helping TANF reach economic self-sufficiency.

Project Period

October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1998

Project Summary

CEI'S Project POWER was funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals Program (JOLII). The purpose of the grant was to assist a for profit company, Employment Trust, Inc. (ETI), essentially acting as an employee leasing agency, to place low-income people in quality jobs, integrate 92 participants into the workplace, support them through the transition off of federal assistance, move them on to the business' payroll and into jobs that led to economic self-sufficiency.

Scope

POWER provided employment and training opportunities for 119 low-income residents of York and Cumberland Counties. Participating with CEI and ETI in this collaborative effort are: Maine Department of Human Services ASPIRE/JOBS Program, JTPA deliverers in York and Cumberland County, City of Portland General Assistance Program, and Westbrook and Portland Housing Authorities' Family Self-Sufficiency Projects.

Project Results/Outcome

• Ninety-one (91) participants obtained employment (66 TANF)
• Average entry-level wages: $8.50 per hour

Evaluation

Outside process and outcome evaluation conducted by Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy.

Funding

$500,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals Program (JOLII). Federal funds to be matched with $500,000 CEI capital and $500,000 bank and other capital.