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TEaMS offers an employment workshop and a housing program to ex offenders.

Click here to see a calendar of when the Employment Workshops are happening.

TEaMS employment workshops are designed to aid the ex-offender in finding and retaining employment.

The workshop is a one day program totaling 9 hours of instruction that is designed for aiding the ex-offender or person with a criminal background history in overcoming obstacles to employment.

The objective of this program is to give the ex-offender the necessary skills to insure that when placement assistance is offered they will be able to navigate the job search in such a way as to reduce the impact of the felony conviction.

The program is broken in to 7 modules:

1. The Beginning; this segment covers common myths involved in ex-offender employment, The Federal Bonding Program, The Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Arizona State law regarding employment of persons with criminal records.
2. The Application; which covers how not to be screened out by the application, dates of employment and how to get them, how to get an accurate criminal background history, how to fill out the application and the use of honesty test by employers.
3. Background Checks; this segment covers why employers use background checks, what information is in the background check and the class A fingerprint card.
4. Cover Letters; which covers, how to construct a cover letter, types of cover letters, creating a felony cover letter and using a "turn-around letter".
5. Resume; this segment covers, when to and when not to use a resume, resume types, do's and don'ts on a resume, problem ex-offenders face with a resume, writing a summary, Resume structure and how to write a reference sheet.
6. Interview Skills; which covers, the interview process, preparing for the interview, interview questions, turning a negative into a positive, interview techniques, appropriate dress for interview, when to approach the felony question at interview and proper closing of an interview.
7. Employment Search; this segment coves, where to look for work when you have a felony, cold calling, why list don't work, networking, the small business employer and employment options.

Each segment is approximately 1 hour long. Instruction includes classroom participation and homework.

Click here to see a calendar of when the Housing Workshops are happening.

The TEaMS ex-offender housing program is in collaboration with the AMA (Arizona Multihousing Association) and is designed to enable ex-offenders to rent in apartment communities where they have been denied in the past. Entry into the program will be thru a one hour pro-seminar designed to inform the prospective applicant of the programs guidelines and requirements. The program is a 20-hour education seminar approved by the AMA after which a certificate will be issued which will allow ex offenders to rent at select AMA housing. This certificate can be used throughout Maricopa County. A background will be conducted on all applicants.

Program Participation Criteria

Any ex-offender who meets the following basic criteria is eligible to participate in the AMA/CRC program. The candidate must meet all of the following criteria.

1. Entry into the program requires that each candidate meet pre-entry qualifications:
• Complete AMA/CRC application process
• Felony conviction is at least 3 years old and client must be a minimum of one year past release from incarceration
• No violent felonies
• No sex offenders
• Successfully meeting all requirements of probation and/or parole
• No more than 2 felony convictions in the person's lifetime (concurrent felony's are counted as one conviction)
• No current criminal legal involvement or warrants
• Meets income criteria (Credit Check) Performed at property as well as at intake.
• Is employed and has been employed consistently for one year
• Has legal documentation to live in U.S.
• Must be crime free, including misdemeanors, for three years
2. Pay for and meet AMA standards for appropriate background check, including credit, rental and criminal background
3. Sign and agree to Crime Free Addendum
4. Complete an AMA approved, CRC administered 20 hour course on appropriate multi-housing renter behavior
5. At the conclusion a certificate will be awarded removing the felony as a barrier/ consideration at selected AMA housing

There are fees for this program. Other restrictions may apply.