Topeka Moving Ahead Program

Kansas Legal Services - 030183

Abstract Number: 030183

November 2003

Kansas Legal Services (KLS) partnered with the Homeless Task Force and the city of Topeka to implement the Moving Ahead Program (MAP) to provide job-readiness and life skills to "chronically homeless" men and women. KLS replicated the St. Francis House's Moving Ahead Program based in Boston, Massachusetts. KLS' MAP is run by a director and supported by a case manager, a job development coordinator, two life skills instructors, and a computer skills instructor. KLS offers one, fourteen-week class at a time for ten to fifteen students. The class' curriculum is geared to empowering clients through developing life skills, overcoming legal barriers, providing employment training, and offering ongoing support to clients as they make life altering changes in their lives. The first seven weeks of class are focused on intensive classroom instruction while the second seven weeks are a mix between classroom instruction and a business internship.

Local social services organizations refer students to MAP who they believe are ready for the program and have been drug and alcohol free for 30 days. Prior to acceptance into the program, KLS screens potential students and then admits them into the program. KLS has arranged to ensure that students are guaranteed housing at a nearby mission for the duration of the class and the students, dependent on strong attendance and participation, are eligible to receive a $30 week stipend while attending the program.

Upon beginning the program, KLS provides clients with an initial assessment to determine if there are legal or other barriers that may prevent them from completing the program or locating and keeping a job upon completing the program. KLS will assist students in overcoming legal problems that present barriers to returning to the workforce such as having their drivers licenses reinstated. The program is geared towards making fundamental changes in an individual's life through changing one's social culture, one's personal habits, and establishing realistic goals for success. At the beginning of their internship, KLS has arranged for a local merchant to provide the students with a weeks worth of clothing to ensure participants have proper attire for their internship. Upon graduation, each student is placed in a job and receives follow up visits from other alumni of the program for additional support. KLS' training facility is located in a Topeka workforce center that serves as a one stop center that is operated by the state's unemployment division.

KLS replicated this project due to the tremendous success the St. Francis House's Moving Ahead Program has had in improving their clients' lives. According to the St. Francis House's website, a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, Division on Addictions in 1998 found that over 80% of MAP's graduates are working and living independent, drug- and alcohol-free lives. KLS received grants from HUD, the city of Topeka, and private foundation grants to help launch Moving Ahead Program - Topeka. In addition to MAP, KLS has offered workforce training programs since 1997 to empower their low-income clients.

Contact Information:

Roger L. McCollister
Kansas Legal Services
712 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 200
Topeka, Kansas 66603
Phone: (785) 233-2068
Fax: (785) 354-8311
RMccollis@aol.com

Additional Information:

• St. Francis House's Moving Ahead Program
• Contact Kansas Legal Services to receive a copy of MAP's curriculum.

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