Employer Resource Network Kentucky
Employer Resource Network Kentucky
  • Employer Resource Network
  • Employer Resource Network
  • Employer Resource Network

Welcome to ERN Kentucky

Opioids and the Workplace

Kentucky is in the process of developing Employer Resource Networks® throughout the Commonwealth. This innovative model to workforce development aims to blend the efforts of business, social service and workforce development agencies to support all employees, but particularly low-wage and entry-level employees, with job retention services, work supports, education, and training.

Kentucky ERN also aims to connect employers with resources and tools to help understand and address issues related to substance use disorder (SUD) and/or opioid use disorder (OUD), particularly supporting Kentuckians in recovery. Kentucky ERN is part of a larger SUD/OUD employment program known as the Strategic Initiative for Transformational Employment (SITE) being implemented by the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP).

The opioid epidemic has had a tremendous impact on the Commonwealth in many areas, including employment. Businesses and employers not only face issues related to substance use in the workplace, but hiring and retaining employees impacted by SUD/OUD. ERNs can be a tool to help employers work through these issues, network with other employers in their communities, and to empower the employer community by providing information, resources, and know-how to overcome barriers to success.

 

East Kentucky Works Podcast-Episode 32: Kentucky's Employer Resource Network (ERN)  

Sunday, January 1, 2023

This week, host Trish Adams is talking with the president of the Employer Resource Network (ERN) James Vander Hulst about what exactly the ERN model is and how he thinks it will be beneficial to the state and region.


To learn more about ERN, go to https://www.ern-usa.com/.


This episode was recorded at the EKCEP offices in Hazard, Ky., prior to the current state of emergency put in place in response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about EKCEP's mission to prepare, advance, and expand the workforce of Eastern Kentucky, log on to https://www.ekcep.org.

Intro music from https://filmmusic.io

"Sweeter Vermouth" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

  Download Article

What Are ERNs?

Employer Resource Networks® are private-public consortia whose purpose is improved workforce retention through employee support and training

The key ERN® innovations are:

  • business engagement
  • cross-sector collaboration among employers
  • human services and educators
  • workplace-based employee success coaching (case management)
  • real-time referrals to community resources

ERN® stakeholders include:

  • small to mid-sized companies
  • public human services and workforce development
  • private non-profits
  • community colleges and vocational training organizations
  • local, regional and national foundations and United Ways
Why ERNs?

ERNs® improve communities in a variety of ways:

  • employers retain an engaged and skilled workforce
  • public agencies and nonprofits get better outcomes from programs that advance economic independence
  • community colleges add students and build closer ties to area businesses

ERNs® are a value proposition to all stakeholders. Their outcomes include:

  • employee retention rates of 90%-98%
  • average employer ROI of 500% 
  • increased employee engagement
  • improved company culture
  • informal regional human resource networks
  • decreased employee reliance on public assistance
  • increased family financial stability
How Do We Do It?

ERN® Programs help employees access social service and training programs that support employment.
 

ERNs® partner with local government, non-profits and private employers to offer the best resources available
 

ERNs® network with other Employer Resource Networks® (ERNs) across the country who share best practices and ideas.

The Success Coach can confidentially help employees:

  • improve employment skills
  • overcome personal barriers
  • prepare for advancement opportunities

ERNs® coordinate with community organizations to offer training opportunities such as:

  • Basic computer skills
  • Computer applications
  • Financial management and budgeting
  • Diversity education
  • Credit repair and foreclosure prevention
  • Affordable family nutrition
  • English as a second language (ESL)
  • Leadership and problem solving
  • Math proficiency
  • GED classes
  • Health and wellness
  • Free income tax preparation
What Are ERNs?

Employer Resource Networks® are private-public consortia whose purpose is improved workforce retention through employee support and training

The key ERN® innovations are:

  • business engagement
  • cross-sector collaboration among employers
  • human services and educators
  • workplace-based employee success coaching (case management)
  • real-time referrals to community resources

ERN® stakeholders include:

  • small to mid-sized companies
  • public human services and workforce development
  • private non-profits
  • community colleges and vocational training organizations
  • local, regional and national foundations and United Ways
Why ERNs?

ERNs® improve communities in a variety of ways:

  • employers retain an engaged and skilled workforce
  • public agencies and nonprofits get better outcomes from programs that advance economic independence
  • community colleges add students and build closer ties to area businesses

ERNs® are a value proposition to all stakeholders. Their outcomes include:

  • employee retention rates of 90%-98%
  • average employer ROI of 500% 
  • increased employee engagement
  • improved company culture
  • informal regional human resource networks
  • decreased employee reliance on public assistance
  • increased family financial stability
How Do We Do It?

ERN® Programs help employees access social service and training programs that support employment.
 

ERNs® partner with local government, non-profits and private employers to offer the best resources available
 

ERNs® network with other Employer Resource Networks® (ERNs) across the country who share best practices and ideas.

The Success Coach can confidentially help employees:

  • improve employment skills
  • overcome personal barriers
  • prepare for advancement opportunities

ERNs® coordinate with community organizations to offer training opportunities such as:

  • Basic computer skills
  • Computer applications
  • Financial management and budgeting
  • Diversity education
  • Credit repair and foreclosure prevention
  • Affordable family nutrition
  • English as a second language (ESL)
  • Leadership and problem solving
  • Math proficiency
  • GED classes
  • Health and wellness
  • Free income tax preparation

Partners

  • Commonwealth of KY Office of Drug Control Policy
  • Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program
  • ERN USA
  • Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services
  • Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Kentucky Opiod Response Effort
  • SITE
  • SKED

ERN-USA National News

ERN® Web Event Recording Now Available

American Enterprise Institute

Did you miss the American Enterprise Institute Web Event? Learn how Employer Resource Networks® improve employment retention and career opportunities for low wage workers. You can listen to the recording and read the study. Contact ERN USA for framework and assistance in developing an ERN® in your community.

  Learn more...   Download PDF

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Publications

  ERN Information Flyer   KY ERN   Online Courses for Members   Opiods and the Workplace Toolkit   Site Information Flyer   SITE Staff Directory Map

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