Lekia Smith’s first visit to a DC Department of Human Services’ (DHS) facility was to apply for TANF financial-assistance benefits, her second to take advantage of a volunteer Work Experience (WE) opportunity, and the third–to report for work!
When Lekia was referred to the TANF Employment Program (TEP), KRA-operated for the DHS, she needed hands-on experience to expand her options for work in the IT arena. Michelle Alston , KRA/TEP Career Agent, reported, “Lekia already had an A++/PC Specialist Diploma, and I knew of a WE opportunity, with the DHS Service Center Help Desk, that would give her the workplace experience to move her IT career forward.”
During Lekia’s 5-month assignment, DHS assessed her IT capabilities and potential…and offered her a position as a Social Services Representative (SSR). “On the job 2 months now, Lekia is happy to be working fulltime, applying her IT knowledge and skills to enter and maintain information for various DHS-assistance programs into different databases, including the Automated Client Eligibility Determination System.
As a result of her own TANF experience, Lekia’s point-of-view–not one shared by most SSRs–is unique, as she now enforces the same DHS policies and procedures related to benefit eligibility and determination that were once applied to her!”
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
