Supervised Field Experience (SFE)

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

In 2018, San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) in partnership with the county Performance, Education & Resource Centers (PERC) redesigned the Eligibility Worker (EW) and Employment Services Specialist (ESS) onboarding classes and implemented a Supervised Field Experience (SFE) component for new trainees. SFE provides structured on-the-job training every Friday for the length of the onboarding class. Trainees report to his/her assigned district office, are greeted by a predesignated supervisor and mentor/coach, and complete standardized activities prepared by PERC, such as review documents, observe interviews, and narrate case actions.Implementing SFE has well-equipped new employees by enabling them to receive practical hands-on experience during the learning process allowing them to “connect the dots” between classroom instruction and on-the-job training. It facilitates the transition from being in the learning/training environment to working in the district office. This has created a comprehensive system where retention of new employees has improved by over 16%, trainee satisfaction has risen, and new staff have a clearer understanding of what to expect in the work setting.