Vermont

Greater Barre

Implementation Grant Awardee

Barre City

The Greater Barre region received a three-year, $300,000 grant to implement an initiative that focuses on creating a nimble workforce development system that will lower the rate of single female head of households in poverty. The workforce development system will achieve economic stability and improved quality of life for the region’s single mothers for the mutual benefit of local businesses, communities, and future generations.

Challenge

In the city of Barre, 55.3% of single female head of households with children lived below the federal poverty threshold in 2018, a sharp 10% increase from 2016 and 2017.

While many demographics are impacted, single mothers face unique challenges in obtaining and retaining employment. These include limited transportation and child care choices, financial barriers, and lack of integration between service programs and employer policies and practices. Employee-focused service delivery and employer cultural change can help single mothers attain economic stability and realize their full potential for themselves and their children.

Strategy

The team will take the Working Bridges approach and deliver services at the place of employment. This involves using a navigator who works with employees and also focuses on employer policy and practice changes.
The team will utilize benefits cliffs calculator tools and counseling to support employees in making employment decisions and benefits cliffs training and education for employers to inform policies & practices and to inform collaborative bridge initiatives
The team will use Employer Innovation Labs to work towards creating a shared culture & understanding of challenges and solutions for workforce retention and career advancement