Jobs for Life sites stand ready to serve along side local government agencies in the effort to provide meaningful employment and supportive services to low income individuals and their families.

Historically, JfL sites have forged fruitful relationships with local government agencies, including One Stop Career Centers (What is a One Stop Career Center?) working hand in hand to provide assistance where it is needed. The characteristics of JfL sites make the opportunities for partnership with government very attractive.

• JfL sites are strategically positioned to recruit low-income neighbors who might otherwise “fall through the cracks” of the welfare/workforce system and to offer entry-level workers the emotional and practical support that aids them in successfully retaining their jobs.
• In addition, JfL sites are concerned for society’s most vulnerable citizens, clearly see the needs around them, and, in some instances, have experienced increased demands for providing services to those in their communities.
• In many cases, congregations operating as JfL sites include low-income parishioners. Leaders of these congregations are especially motivated to seek out ways they can be of assistance to “their own” who are hurting.
• JfL sites offering social services in their local communities know that their programs are embedded in a larger context of public policies affecting the families they serve. Thus, many are motivated to understand those policies and to have opportunity to influence them.

In light of these characteristics, JfL equips its sites to pursue partnerships with its local government agencies. JfL sites provide a powerful resource for those who come into the workforce system needing job training and support services. In many cities where there are JfL sites, local One Stop Centers refer their clients to JfL classes for training and support. In turn, JfL sites then have access through the local One Stop Center or other local agencies to a wealth of opportunities for its students to receive ongoing support including job placement services, child care assistance, further education or skill-based training, transportation assistance, etc.

To encourage these partnerships, Jobs for Life engages in the following:

	Increase awareness between Jobs for Life sites and One Stop Career Centers More often than not, JfL sites are unfamiliar with the benefits and services offered by local One Stop Career Centers. Similarly, One Stop Career Center staff are frequently unaware of the host of services offered by Jobs for Life sites. JfL toolkits help JfL site leaders understand the workforce development system encouraging them to identify and understand the services offered in their communities. In addition, JfL’s ongoing training and customer support continually informs its leaders of the opportunities available through the workforce system.
	Reduce the uncertainties over the boundaries of collaboration Typically, there is widespread uncertainty, among both public officials and faith community leaders, concerning the guidelines for faith organizations to maintain their religious character while partnering with government (Charitable Choice guidelines which facilitate fruitful faith-government collaboration in ways that protect the religious character and autonomy of faith-based organizations while guarding the civil liberties of customers.) At the same time, public officials can also be hesitant to partner with a faith-based organization because they are uncertain of the quality of service that faith-based organizations might provide. Building on several examples of fruitful collaboration from its history, Jobs for Life is able to equip its Site Leaders on the ways collaboration with local workforce agencies can provide a comprehensive set of services and support enabling low income individuals to become employed and build health lives.
	Foster an environment for relationships Members of the workforce development sector and the faith community need on-going opportunities to develop relationships, build trust, and learn to understand one another’s subcultures. JfL provides opportunities for that to take place through workshops, conferences, and other local gatherings.