Seattle Jobs Initiative
Deana Rader is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in program administration and support for low-income populations. Currently serving as a Sr. Consultant at Seattle Jobs Initiative since February 2024, Rader previously held the role of Program Administrator for the Student Emergency Assistance Program and as Program Administrator for the WorkFirst Program at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges from October 2019 to February 2024. Rader has a strong background in welfare reform and advocacy, demonstrated during tenure as Director of Women's Programs/WorkFirst Services at Highline Community College from 2008 to 2019, and as Director of WorkFirst Services at South Puget Sound Community College from 2007 to 2008. Additional experience includes serving as Program Manager at Tacoma Housing Authority from 2001 to 2007. Rader's educational credentials include a Ph.D. in Development Studies from Nelson Mandela University and a Master's in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Women's Studies from the University of Washington.
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Seattle Jobs Initiative
At SJI we are deeply committed to empowering people to build careers by forming equitable partnerships that address structural racism to create a more impactful workforce system. Our vision is that every worker has a career that allows them, their family, and community to thrive. Partnerships and Career Pathways SJI offers individuals from under-invested communities career-start technical and performance skills training that leads to a career pathway in growing local industry sectors. We creatively align support services – such as career navigation, housing, childcare and transportation – to provide participants the best opportunity to complete their career journey and to secure and retain well-paying jobs. Individuals acquire the skills they need to advance out of poverty, while simultaneously meeting the needs of local businesses for a skilled workforce. Policy, Research and Evaluation Our team’s work complements our program efforts and allows us to achieve a far greater impact on low-income communities than we would be able to through program services alone. The overall objective of this work is to uncover and provide solutions to address the barriers that low-income individuals face in obtaining the education and jobs they need to advance out of poverty. Consulting and Technical Assistance The consulting team helps government, educational institutions, funders, workforce systems and providers to design, implement and fund more effective programs and services aimed at helping people access training, support and living-wage careers. SJI is the nation’s leading expert helping State and local governments and their provider partners operationalize and grow their SNAP E&T programs. SNAP E&T is a federal program supporting a flexible array of employment and training services and supports for individuals on SNAP (food assistance).