Project REACH - Snohomish County Workforce Development Council
Snohomish County, WA - Honorable Mention

"Turning High-Risk Youth Onto High-Demand Occupations"

The Challenge: For every community the process of reintegrating youth offenders into society, including the workforce, is a daunting one. Community leaders in Snohomish County, Washington, have chosen to explore new paths of innovation in order to provide youth offenders, many of them chemically dependent, with employment and training alternatives to traditional punitive measures. Partners from every corner of Snohomish County have come together to address this issue, one that speaks to the heart of every resident within its borders.

The Solution: An impressive array of community stakeholders collaborates on Project REACH. By way of court orders, participants are offered a unique opportunity to turn their lives around by receiving training for high-demand occupations which will in turn aid local industries. An advisory board oversees project components, and is assisted by local entities including from the Superior Court of Snohomish County, Lakewood School System, Everett Community College, Catholic Community Services, Compass Health, Center for Career Alternatives, and Sunrise Services Community Trades and Careers. Strong partnerships between these public and private entities and other local organizations enable Project REACH to provide comprehensive educational and training services through One-Stop centers. Additional services have also been crafted to address the needs of chemically dependent youth. Expert drug and alcohol techniques have been incorporated to ensure that youth make a strong transition away from this destructive cycle of abuse.

The Results: To date, Project REACH has served 164 young adults between the ages of 14 and 24. Of these youth, 74 were out-of-school when enrolled. Through these efforts, 71 have gained employment, 3 have entered military service, and 3 have earned their high school diploma. Of the 59 dropouts, 48 have earned their GED.

For more information, contact:

CCA Presented With Award for Outstanding Innovative Program

Center for Career Alternatives (CCA), in partnership with the Seattle School District, provides a Middle School Re-Entry Program for expelled and suspended middle school students.

On Thursday, October 24th, 2002, the program was recognized at the Human Service Coalition’s Annual Award Reception as the outstanding Innovative Program for 2002. This unique partnership provides a full time program for expelled and suspended students to improve their academic skills, their attendance, and their behavior so they can return to regular school.

CCA’s Middle School Re-Entry Program is located in Southeast Seattle and serves over 90% minority students. CCA has increased its completion rate in each of the last three years, with 86.6% of its students successfully completing the program and returning to school during the 2001/02 school year. The attendance has also increased with many students at or near 100%.

In addition to an academic curriculum focusing on improving their math, reading, and writing skills, students are required to work in the computer labs to increase reading skills and learn word processing and spreadsheet applications. Students also participate; in community service at food banks and local parks, in discussions on health and substance abuse issues, in field trips to museums, plays, colleges and universities, and community events.

CCA’s Middle School Re-Entry Program was nominated by Dorry Elias of the Minority Executive Directors Coalition for its; partnership with the Seattle Public Schools over the last three years, for providing a full time comprehensive program for expelled youth, for its service to minority students, who need the community support, and for its success in helping these students return and remain in school.



CCA Wins Prestigious National Award for Cultural Competence in Workforce Development

Center for Career Alternatives (CCA) was presented with the inaugural Darryl Burrows Cultural Competence in Workforce Development Award at a ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland, on Thursday, September 6, 2001 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The new award is named in honor of the late Darryl M. Burrows, who served a director of the Casey Foundation’s Jobs Initiative in New Orleans and consistently voiced the need to confront issues of race, ethnicity, and culture in workforce development.

With a contract with Seattle’s Jobs Initiative last year, CCA enrolled 165 people in its programs. Forty-seven percent were African-American, 22 percent were Asian-American, 16 percent were white, 10% were Latino and 5 percent were Native American.

CCA managed to obtain such diversity by advertising in ethnic newspapers, targeting a variety of neighborhoods and participating in neighborhood events. CCA has also developed job training programs with local colleges that offer English as a second language services as well as courses in building trades, electronics, welding and nursing.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation was established in 1948 by Jim Casey, one of the founders of the United Parcel Service, and his siblings – George, Harry and Marguerite – who named the private charitable organization in honor of their mother.

We would like to congratulate and thank our many
CCA supporters, staff, participants and board members on a job well done!