Episcopal Community Services

Innovation and collaboration between departments are key to any organization's long-term success. At ECS, many such projects are part of the department of professional development and program innovation.

In 2009, ECS developed, implemented and evaluated a new program called Vocation Advantage at ECS St. Barnabas Mission with funding from the Barra Foundation. The initiative adapted principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and career counseling to a social work setting, providing 21 homeless mothers with six one-on-one counseling sessions. The percentage of participants who have enrolled in an educational program increased by 63% by the conclusion of the program, and 91% of participants had identified a career goal and knew the educational requirements to reach it. ECS has developed a step-by-step guide to replicate and assess the Vocation Advantage program both within the agency and at four other shelters.

The Vocation Advantage program grew out of another pilot program, Teens Takin' Over, a series of 25 Saturday workshops for teens. The program uses an evidence-based youth engagement model in which teens participate in vocational and education support programs. In 2009, a team of 10 teens collaborated with WHYY's Learning Lab to produce their own documentary.

ECS provides the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) Parenting Collaborative workshop program, which teaches parenting and life-skills to help prevent out-of-home placements of children and reunify families in the foster/kinship care system. This program serves nearly 100 parents each year. A DHS survey indicated that 91% of participants improved coping and communication skills and that 87% would refer a friend or family member to the program.