The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that Mayor Vincent Gray will visit and tour a newly opened technology training lab at the former DC General Hospital, which now serves as one of the District’s largest shelters for homeless families. The lab will provide critical workforce training and basic computer skills training for the District’s most vulnerable residents who have a desire to transition into the workforce, whether they have previous work experience or not. It will also be available to children staying at the shelter, because unlike many local programs where computer literacy courses focus on adults, this program gives children the opportunity to learn the basics, complete homework, and find other resources that are available to them in the city.
“We want to make sure children and youth who need to spend time at the shelter don’t suffer further by falling behind in technology skills that are now so much a part of the basic school curriculum,” said Fred Swan, Director of Family Services Administration for DHS. All family residents at the DC General shelter will be strongly encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to obtain basic computer and job readiness skills. Staff and volunteers will work closely with participants to establish and reach their goals.
DHS recently completed a complete refresh of the agency’s computer equipment and decided to use the opportunity to create the computer lab using the large supply of old computer equipment. “We believe that this program will serve as a springboard toward breaking the cycle of homelessness and helping people re-enter the workforce. These classes will prepare participants for permanent employment by encouraging a sense of self-confidence,” said Deborah A. Carroll, Interim Director of DHS.
Computer Lab Specifics
- DHS provided 10 computers for the lab and an additional 10 computers in reserve (includes processors, monitors, keyboards, and mice), 10 desk chairs, 10 individual computer stations, and monthly Internet access.
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The Community Partnership for Homelessness Prevention (TCP) staff currently manages the lab along with the shelter, and they originally oversaw the computer station installation, Internet installation, room setup.
- The lab first opened its doors to DC General residents on Monday, March 21, 2011.
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Programming will likely include the following:
- Computer literacy and learning games for children
- Computer literacy for adults
- Job readiness classes for adults
- Financial management classes for adults
About the Department of Human Services
The mission of the Department of Human Services (DHS) is to coordinate and provide a range of services that collectively create the enabling conditions for economic and socially challenged residents of the District of Columbia to enhance their quality of life and achieve greater degrees of self-sufficiency. The agency’s two main service areas are the Income Maintenance Administration (IMA) and the Family Services Administration (FSA).
IMA determines eligibility for benefits under the Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps), Child Care Subsidy, Burial Assistance, Emergency Rental Assistance, Interim Disability Assistance, and Refugee Cash Assistance programs. In addition, IMA’s Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSET) provides employment and training services to able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps. IMA also performs monitoring, quality control and reporting functions required by federal law and court orders.
FSA provides protection, intervention and social services to meet the needs of vulnerable adults and families to help reduce risk and promote self-sufficiency. Some of their programs include Homeless Services and Permanent Supportive Housing, Adult Protective Services, Strong Families, DC Fatherhood Initiative, Teen Parent Assessment Project, and Parent and Adolescent Support Services.