Since 1991, CEI has implemented five welfare-to-work projects under DHHS's Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals Program (JOLII). The first program, in Androscoggin County, was called Structured Opportunities for AFDC (now called TANF) recipients (SOAR). CEI's goal for this and other programs was to use its revolving loan fund as an incentive to local businesses, particularly those in the technical manufacturing area to expand and to target jobs created by the business expansion to SOAR graduates. An intensive array of services was delivered by a collaborative group of local employment and training providers. These customarily separate and independent providers worked together to develop a holistic plan for each participant to breakdown the educational, psychological and skills barriers to employment. All jobs developed through this program paid entry-level wages of between $6.50 - $11.00 per hour, and had full employee benefits, including health care. Forty-one of the participants in Project SOAR were placed in nontraditional occupations, including metal fabrication, electronics technician, video production and CAD drafting. Four of these women entered Registered Apprenticeship programs within the businesses participating in SOAR. Project Period: October l, 1991 through December 31, 1994 Project Summary CEI's Project SOAR was a three-year demonstration project funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, Job Opportunities for Low-Income Discretionary Grant Program. The purpose of the project was to support a collaborative effort among economic development and education and job training organizations to provide economic development financing and customized skills training that would create employment/self-employment opportunities for 50 of the 70 TANF/JOBS project participants in Androscoggin County. Key components of the project included: a revolving loan fund for job-generating businesses and/or self-employment enterprises; customized skills training, workforce literacy training, customized adult education courses, self-employment training, mentoring, small business counseling, technical assistance, and support services. Scope The project provided opportunities for 70 TANF residents of Androscoggin County. Collaborative organizations included: Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Maine Department of Human Services, Maine Centers for Women Work and Community (formerly the Displaced Homemakers Program), Mountain Valley Training/Workforce Development Center (JTPA), Lewiston Adult Education, Women's Business Development Corporation, Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council, and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. End of Project Results/Outcome The project served a total of 70 participants, of which 52 reached economic self-sufficiency as a result of employment/self-employment activity. At project completion, participant wages averaged $8.38 per hour; five project participants were in registered apprenticeship training programs; and 35 women were employed in non-traditional occupations with opportunity for upward mobility and company provided health care benefits. Twelve job-generating businesses received economic development financing and expected to create 164 new jobs over a three to five-year period. Those receiving financing through the grant targeted 75% of the new jobs for project participants and/or other low-income people meeting federal poverty guidelines. All project-participating businesses provided full-time/full-year employment; fringe benefits, including health care benefits; minimum entry-level wages of $6.50/hr.; wage progression; and opportunity for upward mobility. Evaluation Outside evaluation conducted by the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy. Funding $490,000 JOLI grant through the Department of Health and Human Services leveraged with $566,000 of CEI, bank, state and funds. Project significantly surpassed its projected matching funds.
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Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.