Employment and Training Branch
120 North Redwood Drive, San Rafael, CA
Hours of operation: 8 am to 5 pm. Open during lunch.

The Employment and Training Branch of Social Services in the Department of Health & Human Services administers an array of education, employment and vocational training programs for Marin county residents. These services in Marin are provided in three programs:

• CalWORKs Employment Services
• General Assistance Employment Program
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program/Marin Employment Connection

CalWORKs Employment Services
(415) 473-3350  Fax (415) 473-3355

CalWORKs Employment Services administers Welfare-to-Work employment services to Marin County families receiving public assistance/cash aid or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). The goal of the program is to help families reach self-sufficiency and reduce or eliminate their need for cash assistance.

Services include comprehensive case management and job preparation services by professional employment development counselors. Participants receive individualized Welfare-to-Work plans that may include:

• vocational assessment
• Mental health, substance abuse or domestic abuse evaluations
• Vocational training
• Educational activities
• Job search
• Identification of barriers to employment and counseling services to address barriers
• Supportive services such as child care, transportation assistance, clothing and tools
• Support to pregnant and parenting teens

Participants are referred directly by their Eligibility Workers to employment services.

General Assistance Employment Program
(415) 473-3480  Fax (415) 473-3555

General Assistance is a county funded cash assistance and employment services program for indigent adults with no dependent children.

Eligible participants may receive a monthly cash loan and access to employment services which includes job-seeking skills training and support. Advocacy assistance is also provided to identify other forms of non-County assistance for which recipients may be eligible, and to assist them in the application process for these programs, such as Social Security Disability (SSI or SSDI) or Veterans Affairs (VA) payments. The goal of the General Assistance Program is to support clients towards becoming financially independent and self-sufficient.

To be eligible, applicants must meet some basic eligibility requirements in regards to their place of residence, income and resources.

Once a person is receiving General Assistance, they are required to participate in our employment and training program which involves weekly job search and attendance to recommended workshops; or our work exempt program, which may include attending mandated appointments with Ritter Center, Bay Area Community Resources or other local support services agencies.

All people interested in applying for General Assistance must first be screened at the San Rafael Public Assistance Office at 120 North Redwood Drive (West Wing) open from 8:00am-4:30pm. Screenings take place between 8:00am-11:00am Monday through Friday. Intake appointments are made at the time of screening and a list of required verifications are given to people at this time.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program/Marin Employment Connection (MEC)
(415) 473-3300   Fax (415) 473-3333

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program is a federal/state/local partnership utilizing federal Department of Labor dollars. Services are offered at three levels. Core services - job search assistance and labor market information - are available to all persons and are provided through the Marin Employment Connection's Career Resource Center. There are no eligibility requirements for core services. For dislocated workers or under or unemployed persons who meet eligibility requirements there is the possibility of more in-depth job search assistance and training funds. Youth services are available to youth between the ages 14 to 22 who are considered high risk.

The Marin Employment Connection (www.marinemployment.org) is a public and private partnership operated by the Department of Health & Human Services which works collaboratively to provide employment and training services to both job/training seekers and employers.

Additionally, the Board of Supervisors appoints a Workforce Investment Board consisting of 33 members who approve public policy processes for the MEC, advise the Board of Supervisors on matters related to employment, training and workforce issues and propose and recommend strategies for service delivery for WIA funds.