Legal Barriers to Work

Rubicon’s Legal and Workforce Services Partnership (LaWS)

In its Legal and Workforce Services (LaWS) Program, Hawkins Center works closely with Rubicon’s Workforce Services (WFS) division.  WFS provides comprehensive employment services to some of  Contra Costa and Alameda County’s residents who face the most challenging barriers to employment: people who are formerly incarcerated, persons who are homeless, disabled, individuals with mental illness, substance abusers, public assistance recipients and low-income custodial and non-custodial parents. Most individuals receiving services have only a high school education or less. Persons facing these barriers typically need intensive support structures and customized opportunities in order to gain a foothold in the workforce. Rubicon provides vocational counseling, job preparation and work-based skills training, job and career placement, job retention, housing services and substance abuse services.  LaWS provides WFS participants access to legal assistance to address specific, often common obstacles that limit or preclude employment opportunities and career advancement.  By providing coordinated legal and comprehensive vocational services in the same location within the same agency, we seek to reduce barriers to employment and enhance opportunities for self-sufficiency for some of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties’ most difficult-to-employ individuals.

Since the program’s inception in early 2008, it has become clear that the greatest legal service need is for assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals.  Particularly in the current economic environment, individuals with criminal records face exceptional difficulties in gaining a foothold in the workplace.

Available Legal Services:

• comprehensive “legal check-ups” to identify and resolve issues before they prevent or hinder employment

• pre-employment legal counseling regarding issues such as disclosure of disability, workplace accommodation, discrimination and other workplace rights and expectations

• ongoing consultation services after employment begins to address issues as they arise that may otherwise adversely impact job retention and advancement (e.g., family medical leave, perceived discrimination or harassment)

• assistance and referral for domestic violence issues that interfere with employment

• counseling and assistance accessing various work support programs available to low-income workers

• advice or referral on wage and hours cases, unemployment compensation, and “at will” discharges

• advice or referral concerning suspended California driver’s licenses

• “Clean Slate” services for participants with qualifying criminal or arrest records:
  • counsel and advice on obtaining expungements of qualifying criminal convictions under Penal Code Section 1203.4 and 17(b).
  • counsel and advice on sealing arrest records under Penal Code Section 851.8.
  • counsel and advice on obtaining Certificates of Rehabilitation
  • specialized pre-employment counseling on the individual’s rights and responsibilities regarding disclosure of arrest and conviction history in employment applications and interviews

• advice or referral concerning housing eviction proceedings

• advice or referral on obtaining and maintaining public benefits and healthcare, e.g., returning to work and work incentives while receiving SSI/SSDI.