DOCUMENT RESUME ED 350 481 CE 062 196 TITLE Step Forward. Single Parent/Homemaker Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 1990-1991. INSTITUTION Kentucky Tech Region 5, Elizabethtown. SPONS AGENCY Kentucky State Dept. of Education, Frankfort. Office of Vocational Education. PUB DATE 91 NOTE 18p.; For the 1989-90 report, sce ED 340 937. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adolescents; Career Choice; *Career Counseling; *Displaced Homemakers; Employment Programs; Females; Mothers; *One Parent Family; *Outcomes of Education; *Program Effectiveness; Workshops; Young Adults IDENTIFIERS Kentucky (Elizabethtown); *Step Forward Project KY ABSTRACT The Step Forward Single Parent/Homemaker Program in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was developed to provide information on career opportunities and assist the target individuals in career assessment, career counseling, and goal setting in order to develop self-esteem and time management skills. During the second year of the Step Forward program in 1990-91, 76 single parents/displaced homemakers were served through one 80-hour workshop and three 2-week workshops. An additional 109 people were served through miniworkshops and/or career assessment and counseling. A total of 185 persons in the 8 counties of the area were served; 181 of the participants were women and 9 were nonwhite persons. Participants were recruited through advertising in community agencies, churches, newspapers, radio, posters, and brochures, and by staff members of Career Connections, faculty of Elizabethtown Community College, and local high school and vocational school counselors. Almost all the workshop participants decided to pursue.further education and training, although some chose to seek employment. Because of the newness of the project, few participants have completed training. A major activity of the year included a follow-up on the 215 participants of the first year. Mail or telephone follow-up reached most participants; 38 percent of the 64 workshop participants are employed or still in training; 37 percent are still in high school, employed, or in postsecondary training. (This document includes follow-up statistics from 1989-90, responses from participants, an advisory committee list, forms used, and publicity generated.) (KC) *****************,-**************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Annual Report Single Parent/Homemaker STEP FORWARD Rosemary Wiseman Chris Buzbee Project Director Project Coordinator Kentucky Tech Region 5 505 University Drive Elizabethtown, KY 42701 For the Fiscal Year 1990-1991 U.S De0A1ITMENT OF EDUCATION REPRODUCE THIS "PERMISSION TO Office of Ectucationat Research and Improvement GRANTED BY MATERIAL HAS BEEN ED CATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or Organization ongmattng 11 1111r / C' Minor changes have been made to )mprove reproduction duality 111 Roans of new or optn)ons stated )n tn.% docu RESOURCES meal do not necessarily represent offictal TO THE EDUCATIONAL (ERIC)." OE RI positron or policy INFORMATION CENTER EST COPY AVAILABLE Contents Annual Report Narrative I. 1 1989-1990 Follow-Up Report II. 5 Response from Participants III. 7 Advisory Committee IV. 8 Appendix - Forms ANNUAL REPORT STEP FORWARD: Single Parent/Homemaker Project Rationale There are many single parents and homemakers who feel the need to improve their education and training so that they can seek employment. Because of their responsibilities of managing the home and caring for children, many have not found time or finances available to upgrade their education and skills to seek employment in today's job market. Many have worked several years as full-time homemakers/caregivers and find it difficult to know where or how to begin furthering their education or seeking employment. A deeper problem of very low self-esteem is prevalent, and few receive encouragement to pursue such goals. These people are the target group for Step Forward. Single parents and homemakers have often become isolated from opportunities outside the hcme. The restraints of child-rearing (with or without a spouse), role stereotyping, economics, and lack of education or training have made it difficult for single parents and homemakers to successfully make the transition into achieving personal goals, particularly in employment. There is a need for these persons to be educated about the opportunities in the community in education, training, and employment. A greater need, which takes precedence, is to raise the individual's self-esteem and to guide her in attaining an assertive, positive attitude which is fundamental during this re- orientation to successful employment.' Objectives The main objective of this project is for each participant not to fall victim to the restraints and stresses of the difficult role of single parent or homemaker. Instead, we intend to open many doors and provide enough information that she feels confident to begin working toward these personal goals. It is important that Step Forward provide information on available opportunities, including nontraditional careers, and assist the individual in career assessment, career counseling, and goal setting so that success will be insured. Self-esteem is expected to increase as the person examines herself through presentations in areas such as: developing a positive attitude, time management, setting priorities, 1 values clarification, nonverbal communication, building support systems, stress management, assertiveness training, personal finance management, job readiness skills, resume preparation, entrepreneurship, parenting skills, vocational The central theme will school programs and college programs. always be focused on the individual making a well-informed decision on personal goals and how to achieve these goals. Activities/Accomplishments This was the second year for Step Forward as a project to include transitional workshops for single parents and Seventy-six single parents/homemakers were homemakers. served through one 80-hour and three two-week workshops. An additional 109 people were served through mini-workshops and/or career assessment and counseling. A total of 185 persons throughout the eight counties of Region 5 were served Four men and 181 women were served, and 176 in various ways. white and 9 nonwhite persons were served. Almost all of the workshop participants made decisions to pursue future education/training, although some did choose to seek employment. Because of the newness of this project, few have completed training. We have recorded decisions made by each workshop participant and will carry these over into the next fiscal year for follow-up on their progress toward these educational/career decisions. A major activity this year included a follow-up on the 215 who participated in this program for the first year (1989-90). Contact was attempted by telephone or mail with each participant, with most being reached. The recent follow-up indicated that 37.5% of the 64 workshop participants are employed or still in training at a local educational institution. Of the 159 participants who were served minimally through mini-workshops or career assessment and counseling, 37% are still in high'school, employed, or in post-secondary training. (See 1989-90 Follow-up on page 5.) Services Provided Career Connections has actively sought out single parents and homemakers to participate in several specialized programs throughout the eight counties of Region 5. We advertised extensively through community agencies, churches, newspapers, radio, posters, and brochures. Interagency meetings were held in each county so that local contacts would be familiar with the workshop agenda. The workshop addressed relevant topics (as mentioned in the objectives previously) through presentations, discussions, written activities, videos, and counseling. Presentations were 2 provided by staff members of Career Connections, faculty members of Elizabethtown Community College, counselors from the Elizabethtown and Nelson County Vocational-Technical Schools, and counselors from Communicare, Inc. Career Connections also provided career assessment, career counseling, career exploration, resume preparation, job readiness and interviewing skills, and parenting skills. Tours were taken at ECC and the Vocational-Technical School, where the counselors explained to the workshop participants the programs available, financial aid, and the process of applying for admission. The first workshop was held at ECC in Elizabethtown (September 24-October 5, 1990), and 30 persons attended. The second workshop was held in Leitchfield (October 29- November 9, 1990), with 13 participating. The third workshop was held in Nazareth (March 4-16, 1991) with 13 participants The fourth workshop, which lasted four weeks and included a component of adult basic education, was held in West Point A total of 76 attended and 20 persons were in attendance. To encourage parents to attend, child care these workshops. was provided and transportation reimbursement was available. At the close of each workshop, there was a significant increase in self-esteem and all workshop evaluations had only positive feedback. Support services continue for these individuals, as needed. Many were referred to adult education programs, ECC, St. Catharine College, Western Kentucky, and Vocational-Technical Schools. Many of the workshop participants expressed tremendous satisfaction in being a part of Step Forward and the help received in setting personal goals for their future. Step Forward also held several mini-workshops for parents of children in Head Start programs. These were one- session presentations on improving self-esteem and providing some information about the 40-hour workshop. Mini-workshops on seeting future goals were also developed for high school students who are members of Project Filture, a Hardin County class for pregnant teens. The success of this Single Parent/Homemaker Project in this region is largely due to its affiliation with the Lincoln Trail Regional Assessment Center, or Career Many single parents and homemakers were served Connections. through the weekly assessments, counseling, job readiness Several of these then registered for training, and referral. The resources, staff and already one of the workshops. established connections of the Regional Assessment Center provided Step Forward with an excellent base of operations. Likewise, Step Fortgard has brought many resources and connections for Career Connections. 3 Changes (Programmatic) None. Recommendations We would like to explore opportunities to work more closely with the vocational schools to increase awareness of Step Forward services to those who are students and to provide more referrals to vocational and technical programs offered at these schools. More information is needed throughout the region about nontraditional programs and occupations. Step Forward needs to continue its follow-up on workshop participants. Most leave the workshop determined to begin working on their goals in training/education/employment, but many never actually begin. More effort should be placed on determining the obstacles preventing their continuance and searching for ways Step Forward can help individuals overcome these obstacles. Great strides have been made to publicize this program into the more rural areas. We recommend this effort continue in those counties farthest away from our homebase. 4 Single Parent/Homemaker Program STEP FORWARD 1989-90 Follow-up on participants 214 Intakes-This is the total of single parents/homemakers served through 40-hour.workshops, mini-workshops, and walk-ins to Career Connections assessments. 214 Outcomes-This is the final status of participants served. Breakdown of results: Codes: T-means they dropped out before they completed either the workshop or their school. E-means they completed the workshop or their program of training. A-is an annual report card for people still active in their program of training. F-means following up on someone who has completed their program of training. P-means pre-enrollment participant who was served minimally Participants in the 40-hour transitional workshops: Outcome #3 #1 #2 Totals 10/89 Status 4/90 5/90 A 24 (37.5%) 11 8 5 III ECC-11(17.2%) ECC-4 ECC-1 ECC-6 KyTech-3 KyTech-1 WKU-3 WKU-2 WKU-1 St. Cath-3 St.Cath-3 So.Bapt.-1 So.Bapt.-1 GED-5 GED-1 GEDL3 GED-1 28 E 12 8 8 16 employed 4 emp. 8 emp. 4 emp. 14 seek emp. 10 T 0 3 7 0 0 0 F 0 P 0 2 0 2 --- --- 64 26 16 22 5 Other Participants (mini-workshops & Career Connections): Totals Career Mini- Outcome Proj. wkshps Future Conn. Status A 29 27 0 2 ECC-25 GED-2 UofL-1 Sullivan-1 27 22 E 0 5 high sch. emp. T 0 0 0 0 0 F 0 0 0 P 60 * 94 34 0 150 92 36 22 56 participants (37 %) are in high school, post-secondary training, or employed. Total Outcomes from 40-hour workshops and other participants A 24.8% - - - - Breakdown of A Outcomes 53 Educational programs: 36(16.8% of 214) 25.7% ECC- E 55 KyTech- 1 WKU- 4.7% T 10 3 St.Cath-3 GED- F 0 7 So.Bapt-1 44.8% UofL- P 96 1 _-- Sulliv- 1 214 53 6 Participants in each of the four workshops were requested to 111 fill our an evaluation form. (A copy of this form is included in this report.) These forms were filled out anonymously and the feedback was/is used when.planning future workshops. All evaluation forms reported high ratings for the content, topics, and speakers in each workshop. Below are some of the additional comments participants chose to write in letters or poems. Please accept my sincerest appreciation for the opportunity you gave me. You showed confidence in me and my abilities, and in turn, I was able to have confidence in myself. Thanks for everything, Jeanine * * * I want to take this opportunity to let you know what a wonderful thing your workshops are. I'm sure a lot of women benefit greatly from your workshops, but your workshop has been a godsend to me...Your encouragement and praise have given me the courage and willpower to work until I do accomplish good things for my life...though I am handicapped, I have a lot to offer in life. Thanks for the four weeks you devoted to this workshop. I can never thank you enough for what it has done for me. Deborah It's been four weeks today, since thig challenge began, And my brain is so full of self-confidence. You have given me determination and shown me guidance to achieve my personal, educational, and career goals. My life has been touched, because we have walked a special walk together. Because all of you matter to me, we are friends. You have given me courage to let my real self shine through. But, most importantly, you all taught me to cultivate change. And to know that the world is awaiting to applaud our performance. I feel like a new car. The first couple of miles you break the motor in, then slowly, but surely, you built up miles And go faster and faster. Mary Lynn io