JACKSON – United Way of South Central Michigan is proud to serve the companies and employees of the Jackson region with JobSTAR (Support Talent and Retention). JobSTAR is a resource for employers to help employees overcome obstacles that may impede their ability to work. In this program, a Success Coach connects workers to services and support to help them overcome challenges that affect work/life balance. The results include a stronger workforce, financially stable families, higher productivity, and a more vibrant local economy.
We’re pleased to highlight our two JobSTAR Success Coaches, Kristina Warner and Scott Walker. Learn more about what being a JobSTAR Success Coach means to them:
Kristina Warner
What does being a JobSTAR success coach mean to you?
To me, being a JobSTAR Success Coach means that employees have their own support person who is available on site, via text, phone, or email, that can walk them through life’s challenges. The success coach allows the employee to maintain their autonomy while receiving access to resources that they would otherwise spend hours or days trying to find on their own.
What brought you to becoming a JobSTAR success coach?
I have spent the last 5 years working with individuals of varying circumstances. I began to notice after about 2 years in this field that there was a lack of support for employees, especially those who are in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. Years ago, before I knew about the JobSTAR program, I went to my program manager and asked, “what about the people who are working but make just above the income limits for state benefits?” That’s when she told me about the ALICE population. I began researching and found that this group faces dead ends to resources constantly. The help is so limited and difficult to find that in many cases, it would be easier to reduce hours, turn down advancements and raises, and even stop working altogether just to be able to get the help they need. I believe this puts individuals and families back years when they are forced to make these kinds of decisions. JobSTAR allows those resources to be readily available for employees so they don’t have to use that time and energy worrying about how to handle a roadblock and can instead focus on the job at hand.
What do you think JobSTAR provides for employers/employees?
I’ve been told by several employees from different organizations that have repeated almost these exact same words: “My employer must really care about their employees if they brought someone like you in.” JobSTAR provides relief, and also the support that makes employees feel valued, supported, and heard. Employers, including HR and admin teams, have expressed relief with the JobSTAR program because they don’t always know how to help employees who are going through tough times. This allows the employers to provide the human element in a world that focuses on business.
In your own words, could you explain your role as a JobSTAR success coach?
My role as the JobSTAR success coach is to provide support and resources to employees. I’m here for the nitty gritty. The messy and confusing. “Making the unsolvable more solvable” (I took that line from one of the employees I recently worked with). I help find solutions to many of the things that make the work-life balance complicated.
Scott Walker
What does being a JobSTAR success coach mean to you?
I am proud to be a Success Coach with the JobSTAR program because I feel I provide a very helpful service to employees. Many employees don’t feel comfortable telling their employer about personal struggles they are having, so it feels good to speak with them confidentially about issues they are having and to build trust with them. Sometimes I spend a lot of time helping them one-on-one to get all the services they need. I find it very rewarding to see the difference that my time and effort has made.
What brought you to becoming a JobSTAR success coach?
I was excited about the opportunity with JobSTAR in 2018 because I already had many years of experience helping people to obtain and maintain employment. JobSTAR is all about job retention and it was a great match with my existing skillset.
What do you think JobSTAR provides for employers/employees?
The primary goal of JobSTAR is to help employees overcome personal issues that get in the way of being productive at work, and with maintaining employment. Some employees that are in the ALICE category have active cases with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and sometimes struggle with affording food or paying large utility bills. I am able to work with these individuals to get their benefits approved quickly. JobSTAR employees typically get their benefit issues resolved much faster than folks in the community that don’t have access to a Success Coach. There are other employees in the ALICE category that are above the income limit for MDHHS assistance. We recognize that those individuals and their families still have difficulty making ends meet and that just one unexpected expense can lead to multiple financial concerns. I can help those workers find resources in the community to help with things like rent expenses, funding for auto repairs, help caring for an aging parent, etc. The employer benefits from these services as well, because resolving personal issues for their staff can result in a happier and more productive workforce. In many instances, JobSTAR services have helped to save the jobs of employees, which lowers turnover and the costs associated with it.
In your own words, could you explain your role as a JobSTAR success coach?
I visit each worksite once per week. I think the most important aspect of the JobSTAR program is to have the ability to meet face-to-face with employees confidentially to work on the issue they are facing. For nearly 2 years, the JobSTAR program was conducted remotely due to COVID-19. Though there were many successes during that period, we did not reach as many people or provide as many services. I believe that being at the workplace physically helps to remind employees of the services available. I also think it helps to build trust with employees because they can associate a face with the JobSTAR program.