NEON’s Workforce Development activities are principally located at our Ben Franklin Center and operated within our NorwalkWorks Program.  We have further combined a variety of Economic Security, Educational  and  Skills Training Programs in an effort to bring to the community a holistic way to help our clients achieve  self-sufficiency.

SAGA (State Administered General Assistance)
The Basic Needs Program is a program for adults who have SAGA medical assistance benefits but no cash assistance, and who are in treatment for mental illness and/or substance abuse. Benefits are not an entitlement, but rather for on-going, limited supports based on individual need. Participants will receive referrals to community-based organizations as well as assistance with clothing, food (if the individual is not receiving SNAP/food stamps), housing or shelter, limited transportation, and other services to promote employment. Benefits are issued in the form of vouchers or direct payment to vendors.

TFA/ JFES
An individual is required to participate in the Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) program as a condition for receiving Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) unless DSS determines that the person meets criteria which exempts him or her from this requirement.

WIA IN/OUT OF SCHOOL AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
WIA authorizes training and employment programs and services for eligible youth and adults. The WIA was designed to “increase the employment, retention and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and as a result, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependencyand enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation. Key components of this reform include streamlining services through a One-Stop service delivery system, empowering individuals through information and access to training resources through Individual Training Accounts, providing universal access to core services, increasing accountability for results, ensuring a strong role for Local Boards and the private sector in the workforce investment system, facilitating State and local flexibility, and improving youth programs.

N2N Food Program
NEON.’s Food Voucher Program received $10,000 to provide 3 months of food vouchers to Grade A Shop Rite with a 10% discount on the total grocery bill and 3 months of transportation.  The program is expected to assist 20 – 25 families.  This assistance is made possible through the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County.

SNAP
TANF is a federal program that provides assistance to needy families. In Connecticut, TANF funds the TFA program. TFA is administered by the CT State Dept. of Social Services (DSS)

ESL
Adult Education ESL programs provide adults with literacy and language development skills necessary to participate effectively in the United States as productive citizens, workers, and family
members. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English are taught in the context of real life situation.

The primary aim of the General Educational Development (GED) testing program in Connecticut is to provide a second opportunity for individuals to obtain their high school diplomas. The GED Tests are designed to measure the major and lasting academic outcomes students normally acquired by completing a typical high school program of study. Individuals who pass the GED Tests are eligible to receive a State High School Diploma.

Community Outreach & Capacity Building:
•Conduct community outreach to ensure maximum exposure of all NEON programs and services to a wide range of, but not limited to, Norwalk area vulnerable populations.•Partner with neighborhood groups and associations to promote and coordinate NEON programs and services that might benefit area residents or populations.•Develop and implement expanded services to individuals, families, youth, and children.•Organize and coordinate with other local service providers and interested groups to promote
NEON services, and to strengthen the area social service network of services.

Work Readiness Training
Career Development
NFTE Program
Computer Lab
JOB CLUB
Financial Literacy
EMT Training
Asbestos & Hazwopper Removal Training

Community Services

Fatherhood Initiative Activities

Entrepreneurial & Enterprise Activities

Entrepreneurial & Non-Profit Business