by Kathryn Carley
Employers are increasingly using what’s known as “fair-chance hiring” to help the nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults with criminal records gain access to living wage jobs.
Advocates for formerly incarcerated people said they are a motivated and skilled pool of workers who can add to the diversity and growth of a business while also helping alleviate a nationwide labor shortage.
Ken Oliver, executive director of the Checkr Foundation, said at least 37 states have implemented policies to remove arrest record history questions from job applications and delay background checks until later in the hiring process.
“So, really looking to hire the best person for the job,” Oliver explained. “And removing the barrier of the record rather than looking at the record as the deciding factor for a candidate.”
Oliver argued it is good for business and society. Prior to the pandemic, the estimated cost of employment losses among workers with criminal records was $65 billion per year in lost gross domestic product.
Formerly incarcerated people are unemployed at a rate of more than 27% percent. Oliver noted a bill under consideration in California would help improve the rate by banning most private employers from seeking a background check into a job candidate’s conviction history.
“So if a company posts a job on Indeed or LinkedIn, they now have to say these charges would preclude someone from applying for this particular job,” Oliver emphasized. “They couldn’t do it later after the fact.”
Oliver observed companies are looking for new talent during the current labor shortage, and improving their diversity and inclusion hiring practices. He added employers are learning to “unpack” a candidate’s story, and hire them not because of their record but because they are the best candidate for the job.
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CA parent, youth helpline wins grant to continue for 2 more years
by Suzanne Potter
Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month in May – the California Department of Social Services has provided a new grant to continue the California Parent & Youth Helpline for another two years, with an option for a third.
When kids, parents or caregivers call the helpline, they can speak with a trained counselor and sign up for a free evidence-based weekly support group.
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin is president and CEO of Parents Anonymous, which launched the helpline in 2020.
“On a weekly basis, we get people who feel suicidal, calling us,” said Pion-Berlin. “People who’ve been hurt in a serious crime, children who are afraid to talk to their parents about bullying or drugs at school.”
The helpline number is 855-427-2736. The website is at www.caparentyouthhelpline.org.
The helpline has translation services for 240 languages including American Sign Language.
Pion-Berlin said the helpline operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, but will stay open until 10 p.m. starting July 1.
“This is going to provide an opportunity for more parents to call after their children go to bed or they come back from work, as well as teens who are staying up late and reaching out for help,” said Pion-Berlin. “The helpline is staffed by caring, trained counselors to provide emotional support and linkages to other services appropriate.”
California is home to 9.3 million children.
According to the California Health Care Foundation, one in 14 children has some kind of emotional problem that limits his or her ability to function in school or at home, or to engage in day-to-day activities.
