6.1.1.1 Goals

This section of the EP lists goals developed collaboratively between the FEP Financial and Employment Planner and the applicant or participant using assessment results. For each major goal added to the EP, additional smaller steps are added to document specific action steps to reach the major goal.

The four types of goals available on the EP include:

Primary and Secondary Employment Goals:

There are shorter term employment goals that can be achieved through participation in the W-2 program which should be based on the following:

Based on Considerations The applicant’s or participant’s strengths, skills, work styles, interests, and needs. Consideration should be given to the individual’s prior work experience, prior education and training, professional goals, and assessments. What can be realistically planned for. Consideration must be given to all types of activities that may enable the applicant or participant to achieve their goal, including, but not limited to: Job search/job readiness activities; Work experience; Educational activities; and Job skills training and technical college participation. (See W-2 Manual Appendix - Activity Codes) Industry and employment opportunities in the local labor market. The FEP must review relevant labor market data to determine if employment goals align with the local labor market. Wisconsin’s WisConomy and the Job Centers of Wisconsin are excellent resources for labor market information. The Job Centers of Wisconsin Skill Explorer may be used to align participants' skills, interests, and needs with potential occupations. Length of time remaining in the W-2 program. Immediate engagement in meaningful activities positions participants to achieve the best outcomes possible within the time limits of the W-2 program. If the applicant or participant is nearing a time limit, types of activities must reflect an increased focus on transitioning from the W-2 program.

If the applicant or participant is not ready to identify a specific occupation when the goals are initially developed, the focus of the goal may be broadened to a field of interest or an industry sector. Career assessments and career exploration tools should be used to help identify sectors, career pathways, training needs, and family-sustaining employment goals that may match the results of the assessed work styles, skills, and interests.

Other Program Goals:

These are concrete short-term goals or outcomes the applicant or participant must achieve through W-2 participation on the way to reaching their employment goal. This may involve completing education or training courses or acquiring work experience in their field of interest. It may also involve overcoming a barrier to employment through assigned activities such as physical rehabilitation, treatment or counseling.

Long-Term Career Goals:

These goals are part of the individual's longer-term career plan. As the EP is developed, it is important to consider how the program employment goals and Other Program Goals fit into the applicant’s or participant’s longer-term career plan. Many industries have career pathways that enable employees to start in lower-skilled jobs and progress into increasingly higher paying jobs through training (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant to Registered Nurse).

Personal Goals

Personal goals are additional goals not required for W-2 program participation. They are goals set by the individual that will strengthen the family and empower the individual to achieve their employment goals. Examples of personal goals include:

Addressing child and family relationship problems;

Involvement in support groups;

Moving to a safer neighborhood;

Attending individual or family counseling; and

Purchasing a home.

EXAMPLE : After discussing Neema’s career aspirations and previous experiences, Neema and her FEP identified a primary goal of becoming a mechanic because of Neema’s passion for cars and desire to keep moving during the day. To reach this goal, they decided on a secondary goal to obtain an automative technician certification through a community college course in Neema’s local area. Neema expressed a desire to work on communication in her family and to save for a larger apartment so they added personal goals of budgeting classes and family counseling to Neema’s EP.