Supportive Services

Towards Employment is the only organization in Cuyahoga County that provides Supportive Services as a core activity. These are discrete services that an individual may require to complete a training program or to start or keep a job. Supportive Services include transportation and childcare assistance, uniforms, work boots or shoes, tools, health exams, or eyeglasses. We work with vendors to provide these goods and services, and monitor their responsiveness to our clients. This unique position enables Towards Employment to assist many individuals in removing barriers while they complete a federally funded training program, attend our placement and retention programs, obtain a job, or get started in a job.

Toward Employment provides more than 11,000 services to more than 3,000 individuals annually.

Who do we serve?

Anyone that lives in the Greater Cleveland area and has been employed for less than 30 days in a full-time permanent position, and whose income does not exceed 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines. Our goal is to ensure that no eligible person misses an opportunity for employment because they cannot afford the necessary items to start a job.

We also provide on-going supportive services to participants enrolled in Towards Employment’s job readiness programs and City of Cleveland Workforce Development programs to enhance job retention for at least 6 months after starting a new job.

How can we help an employer?

We can help any eligible newly hired employee take care of personal issues that may impact their ability to focus on their new job responsibilities. If an employee is having trouble arranging their transportation or childcare, we can help. If your new hires are required to obtain health screens, background checks or licenses, we can help. If a candidate meets all of your qualifications, but cannot afford the required uniform or set of tools, we can help. Towards Employment saves you time and money by making sure the investment you’ve made in identifying a good candidate translates into a great employee, by removing these critical barriers.

If an employer believes that a new hire has a need for supportive services, the employer should instruct the person to contact Towards Employment’s Supportive Services program to schedule an appointment with a case manager. We make every effort to see all clients within 24 – 48 hours to ensure they can start work on time or not miss work.

How can we help an employee?

We can help low-income individuals remove barriers to obtaining or keeping their job during the first 30 days of employment. We can assist with a wide range of issues such as:

• Tools
• Uniforms
• Child care and transportation assistance
• Professional license fees
• Background checks
• Pre-employment physicals and drug screens