The Integrated Employment Program (IEP)

The Urban League has a five-point strategy to implement it’s mission, one of which is “Economic Empowerment: Empowering people in attaining economic self-sufficiency through job training, good jobs, homeownership, and entrepreneurship and wealth accumulation.” The Integrated Employment Program, in operation since 1996, is one facet of that point
The purpose of the IEP is to provide job seekers with the educational tools needed to conduct an efficient and effective job search, become a successful and valued employee, and maintain long-term employment sufficient to support him or her and family. To do this, the services are intended to prepare the job seeker in three main aspects:  job preparation, job placement, and job retention. 
 The program provides access to job seekers who are difficult to reach by the employing and corporate community.  It also serves job seekers that have been identified as hard to work with by other employment service agencies. This job seeking population, which often includes ex-prisoners, persons with a history of abusing alcohol and drugs and individuals with various other barriers, requires the support of a dedicated program and a staff that includes case managers that provide intensive case management services.  This program provides the clients with one-on-one counseling, computer training, GED preparation if necessary and other types of hands-on services. These efforts serve to enhance the ability of difficult to hire and retain job seekers to find employment, to further engage in the process of improving their education, and to seek higher education. Further, this program provides the opportunity to gain additional training such as computer skills and life, or “soft”, skills. 
 The goals of the Integrated Employment Program can be summarized as follows: 
  • Break the cycle of under and un-employment among persons living in Lancaster County;
  • Provide “soft” skills and life-long learning to empower and enable job seekers to perform well in the work place and in activities of daily living.
  • Provide an avenue for obtaining a GED, if requested, or preparation for pursuing higher education. In specific cases, clients are assisted with preparing for entrance exams and applying for financial aid.
 This program primarily serves job seekers aged 25-60. They represent all races and ethnic groups, however, the clients we serve are predominately Caucasian, African-American and Latino/Hispanic.  Many of our clients would be identified as “hard-to-place” because IEP clients are persons who are often lacking in job experience, skills and training or education.  Many are ex-offenders who have left confinement within the last 3-6 months. Others are adults who have not completed their high school education and are seeking to do so along with finding employment. Lastly, many of our clients are dealing with substance abuse history that led to one or more of the above issues. They reside within the County of Lancaster, but live primarily in the southeast section of Lancaster City, one of the most disadvantaged areas of the city.  Those few clients who are already employed usually fall into the category of “underemployed.” This means that the income they earn is not enough to move them out of poverty level. This could be because of the low pay, large family size, or lack of hours available to work.   
 This training is offered through our Community Technology and Learning Center (CTLC).  The CTL Center addresses the need for adults to become engaged in other activities besides just getting a job; the intent is that the Center will also empower job seekers to want to continue learning. The Center offers computer instruction, typing instruction, GED preparation and preparation for higher education. With these efforts, there is a greater chance that the individuals in the program will continue with learning for life and become engaged as a productive active citizen and leader in the community.