Getting Ahead

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

The Transitional Assistance Department’s (TAD’s) “Getting Ahead” cohort is a facilitated learning experience designed for San Bernardino County Subsidized Employment Program (known as the Work Experience [WEX] program) participants. The “Getting Ahead” cohort provides TAD WEX participants with an understanding of the causes and impacts of poverty, assistance with identifying and seeking needed resources, and the ability to discover new tools for solving problems. Cohort participants, known as investigators, use life experiences as the context for learning about poverty and developing problem-solving skills to help build productive futures. The cohort is delivered over a 20-week period through a series of 10 modules, and uses the “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ by World” curriculum as the basis for investigating poverty within individuals, institutions, and communities. “Getting Ahead” encourages investigators to make positive life changes, improve mental health and well-being, develop social support, and set personal and professional goals. Since the inception of the first cohort in 2018, over 50 participants have completed or are currently participating in the program (26 completed 24 in process). Participants report the critical thinking skills obtained in the cohort have led to improved parenting skills, new educational interests, and the courage to leave abusive relationships.