WHAT IS THE WORKBOOK?

Transcription

1 WHAT IS THE WORKBOOK? The Coalition s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery is pleased to provide a continuously updated, online version of The WORKbook. This online version offers comprehensive information on New York City s mental health employment programs and services. It is intended to be used by mental health consumers, their family members, and providers alike. Since the publication of the second edition of The WORKbook in 2007, there have been numerous changes in the service landscape. This trend promises to continue for the foreseeable future. For this reason, we have decided to transform The WORKbook into a fully online resource. This will enable us to regularly update the program listings so consumers, their families, and providers will have the most current information possible. All information can be sorted according to various preferences and can be easily downloaded and printed. We know that most people want to work, need to work, and can work. Consumers speak strongly about the central role of work in recovery. At whichever stage of recovery a person is in, there are numerous options when considering employment. Employment can mean a parttime or full-time position in the competitive job market, or perhaps a job training program or other experiences like internships, and volunteering. The programs listed in the WORKbook are all designed to help people move towards work however you define or think about a job, an education, or a career. We would like to acknowledge staff from the agencies listed in this guide for providing us with current and accurate information on their programs. We would also like to thank the New York State Office of Mental Health for their consistent support of and commitment to the Center s many initiatives. The staff at the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery Updated 9/25/12 1

2 Definition of Key Terms This document defines key terms in The WORKbook. Once you learn what each term means, you will gain a better understanding of mental health employment programs and the services and supports they can offer you. This will make it easier for you to use The WORKbook online to find a program that meets your needs. Information on each program is organized into four categories: Program Type Employment Service Model Services Job Types We first define the category and then define the various terms within each category. It is worth noting that a few terms may be classified in multiple categories. For example, the term Transitional Employment can be considered both an Employment Service Model and a Job Type. Program Type: Refers to an organization in the community where staff (including peer specialists) deliver vocational services that aim to help individuals reach various employment goals. There are many different types of programs that provide employment services for people recovering from mental illness. A list of program types appears below. Adolescent Skills Centers: This type of program helps adolescents, between the ages of 16 and 21, who have histories of emotional and behavioral problems. Adolescent Skill Centers offer an array of vocational, educational, experiential, career planning and job placement services that prepare adolescents for the world of work. These programs may offer a variety of vocationally-oriented services which include: vocational skills assessment, GED and literacy classes, computer instruction, exposure to internship placements in competitive businesses paid through stipend, job coaching, peer support, case management, and psychological assessment services to link or re-link participants to mental health services. Affirmative Business/Industry: These programs are entrepreneurial enterprises that employ people recovering from mental illness. These enterprises are usually small businesses that compete with other for-profit business to sell products and services. Examples of Affirmative Businesses include mobile contract services (e.g., cleaning services for other companies), small retail stores (e.g. thrift stores), and service oriented businesses (e.g., ice cream shop). The objective is to provide vocational assessment, training, transitional or long-term paid employment, and support services for persons disabled by mental illness in a less restrictive/more integrated employment setting than sheltered workshops. Assisted Competitive Employment (ACE): ACE programs assist individuals in choosing, finding, and maintaining satisfying jobs in the competitive employment market at minimum wage or higher. When appropriate, ACE programs provide individuals with job related skills training as well as long-term supervision and support services, both at the work site and off-site. Updated 9/25/12 2

3 Clubhouse (or Psychosocial Club): The objective of a Clubhouse is to assist individuals disabled by mental illness to develop or reestablish a sense of self-esteem and group affiliation, and to promote their recovery from mental illness and their reintegration into a meaningful role in community life through the provision of two or more of the following: (1) consumer self-help and empowerment interventions; (2) community living: (3) academic (4) vocational and/or (5) social-leisure time rehabilitation, training and support services. Clubhouse vocational services are based on the Transitional Employment model whereby members work in part-time jobs that last from 6 to 9 months. For more information on Transitional Employment, see the section: Employment Service Model. Enclave in Industry: An enclave consists of a small group of approximately five to eight individuals who work in an industrial or other economic enterprise either as individuals or as a crew. Individuals in enclaves are provided with training, supervision and ongoing support by a job coach/supervisor assigned to the work site by the rehabilitation service agency. The objective is to provide vocational assessment, training, and transitional or long term paid work for individuals with severe disabilities in an integrated employment environment. Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment (IPRT): These programs are designed especially to help consumers think about and select goals related to employment, housing, education and their social networks. IPRTs are helpful to consumers who do not have a lot of work experience, and need help determining a career path. Some IPRT programs do help consumers with finding and keeping a job. Other prevocational programs help consumers learn the skills needed for a specific occupation. For example, some programs in New York City train consumers in many fields, including: janitorial, health care, foodservice, computer work, landscaping, and recycling. For consumers who know exactly what they want to do, and are interested in gaining work experience in these occupations, these job-specific programs can be very helpful. Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services (PROS) / Comprehensive PROS with Clinical Treatment: PROS is a comprehensive recovery-oriented program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness that integrates treatment, support and rehabilitation. Goals for individuals in the program are to: improve functioning, reduce inpatient utilization, reduce emergency services, reduce contact with the criminal justice system, increase employment, attain higher levels of education and secure preferred housing. There are four "service components" in the program: Community Rehabilitation and Support (CRS), Intensive Rehabilitation (IR), Ongoing Rehabilitation and Support (ORS) and Clinical Treatment. Peer Specialist Training Program: Peer Specialist Training Programs are designed for consumers seeking jobs in the human services field. Each trainee participates in an intensive program of in-class training that is followed by an internship placement. Classroom training may include topics such as counseling techniques, group facilitation, case management, conflict resolution, wellness, and substance abuse recovery. Sheltered Workshop/Satellite Sheltered Workshop: Sheltered Workshops provide vocational assessment, training, and paid work in a protective and non-integrated work environment for individuals disabled by mental illness. Services are provided according to wage and hour requirements specified in the Fair Labor Standards Act administered by the Department of Labor. Updated 9/25/12 3

4 Work Program: The objective is to provide vocational assessment, training and transitional or long-term paid work in institutional or community job sites for individuals disabled by mental illness. Paid by the vocational services provider. Employment Service Model: Refers to the principles and methods that vocational staff use to deliver employment services in a mental health program. Each program may rely on one or more models to help individuals reach their employment goals. Below is a list of various Pre-vocational Training: This employment service model focuses on preparing individuals for entering the workforce. Many consumers have missed the opportunity to explore their work interests and/or acquire the skills needed to get a job. The pre-vocational model addresses these unmet needs by assessing and developing a consumer s work readiness. The process usually begins with a vocational counselor helping a consumer assess his/her interests and skills, set work goals, and identify the resources and supports he/she needs to be successful in getting and keeping a job. A counselor may then help a consumer increase his/her work readiness through a variety of methods. Depending on the available services and resources in the program, the counselor may recommend that a consumer participate in computer-based cognitive remediation to improve thinking skills for work. Other options include rehabilitation groups on stress management and/or travel training, and more. Mental health programs that rely on Pre-vocational Training may also offer internship opportunities that help consumers learn how to work independently or on a team. Similarly, these programs may place people in volunteer positions outside the program. Since Pre-vocational Training focuses on preparing consumers for work, programs that use this model often, do not assist people with actually obtaining a job. Programs that use other employment service models, which are described later in this section, do assist people with getting jobs. Supported Employment (IPS): This employment service model is considered an evidencebased practice. Supported Employment (SE) is designed to help people attain their individualized employment goals. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach is considered the gold standard of SE. Research from around the country shows that consumers who participate in programs that effectively use IPS achieve significantly higher rates of employment than consumers who participate in programs that use other employment service models. There are several key characteristics of the IPS approach: 1) IPS is based on zero-exclusion--- anyone who identifies an employment goal can access IPS services [no one is excluded because of current barriers like active symptoms or personal presentation]; 2) IPS integrates vocational services with mental health treatment staff performing different roles and functions work together to provide person-centered care for each individual job seeker; 3) Benefits counseling is provided to everyone who uses IPS---benefits information and financial management services can motivate people to work and help them achieve economic selfsufficiency; 4) Rapid Job Search---IPS utilizes a short, initial assessment to identify an individual's mental health barriers to employment and then requires staff to immediately work with the job seeker on finding a job; 5) Competitive and permanent employment is the goal--- IPS staff assist job seekers in attaining competitive, permanent positions in integrated work settings; 6) Follow-up supports are flexible and continuous---support to maintain a specific job or to change jobs is available to anyone who wants the assistance. Assisted Competitive Employment (ACE) and Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) are two types of programs that use the IPS approach to SE. Updated 9/25/12 4

5 Transitional Employment (TE): This employment service model is provided through Clubhouse programs. Clubhouses provide members with part-time positions (typically hours a week) that are temporary, and last from 6-9 months. These jobs are located in the community. They pay minimum wage or better and TE workers are paid directly by the employer. Transitional employment helps members gain work experience and build a work history by trying out different positions. Clubhouse staff and members provide support and help the worker learn the ins and outs of the job. TE is designed to be a stepping-stone, to help members achieve their employment and educational goals. In addition to transitional employment, Clubhouses assist their members in getting their own jobs, providing various levels of support and involvement, determined by the needs and desires of the member. Working Among Consumers: This employment service model provides opportunities for consumers to work together with on-site professional support from a mental health practitioner or job coach. This approach may be appealing to individuals who have not yet developed the functional capacity to work alone, may not feel confident enough to work at a competitive job, or may feel more comfortable working among their peers. Affirmative Business and Enclaves in Industry are the types of mental health employment programs that use the Working Among Consumers model. Services: Refers to helpful activities that a program provides to assist individuals in choosing, getting and keeping jobs. Assessment: An assessment is an analysis of an individual s job preferences, work-related skills, abilities, and available supports. There are initial and ongoing vocational assessments. An initial assessment occurs when a person enrolls in a program, and usually involves an interview between the job seeker and program staff person. Sometimes the initial assessment may even take the form of paper evaluations and standardized tests. During an assessment, job seekers should expect to discuss their employment goals, skills and interests, prior work experiences, potential problem areas which may serve as a barrier to getting and/or keeping a job, financial and benefits status, and additional support that family and friends may provide. The Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) calls their vocational assessment process a Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation or DVE. This evaluation usually lasts six weeks, is fairly structured, and measures vocational interests and aptitudes. Whether a job seeker completes an assessment through a community mental health program or through ACCES-VR, the job seeker usually receives ongoing assessments after job placement. The purpose of these ongoing assessments is to modulate the amount of support needed to maintain job performance and/or to help the person plan for job or career changes. Service Planning: Service planning is a collaborative process in which a vocational counselor helps a job seeker set an individualized employment goal and develop a plan to achieve that goal. When service planning is collaborative it is often described as a person-centered approach to care. This means that the vocational counselor places the job seeker at the center of the service planning process. Thus, the job seeker drives decisions about which goal to pursue and which services to use to help them reach their goal. A completed assessment is used to develop a service plan. There are several components to a service plan. The plan usually begins with a specific, measureable goal articulated in the job seeker s own words. For example, I would like to get a job as an administrative assistant in a medical records department at a local hospital sometime in the next year. Updated 9/25/12 5

6 Work Readiness Skills Training: This service is part of a Pre-Vocational Training employment service model. Work Readiness Skills Training may include computer-based cognitive remediation to improve thinking skills for work, Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) to improve workplace social skills, and/or travel training. If appropriate, individuals may participate in rehabilitation groups such as anger management and stress management, among others. Peer Specialist Training: Peer Specialist Training is geared toward consumers who are seeking employment in the human services field. Each trainee participates in an intensive program of in-class training which is followed by an internship placement. Classroom training may include topics such as counseling techniques, group facilitation, case management, conflict resolution, wellness, and substance abuse recovery. Benefits Assistance: This service addresses job seeker concerns about how work may affect their cash and health benefits. Benefits assistance services help job seekers understand the complicated rules and regulations for getting and keeping public benefits, such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, public assistance, and welfare. For example, it is helpful for individuals on SSI/SSDI to know about work incentives, which are special rules that make it possible to work and keep benefits. It is also helpful to know about the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD), which enables individuals to earn money and continued to receive vital health care coverage through Medicaid. Mental Health staff and others who specialize in benefits counseling help individuals make important career decisions which do not jeopardize their financial and health-benefit situation. Benefits assistance services include working with an individual to develop a financial plan that considers career goals, making detailed calculations of how receiving an income affects existing benefits, advocating on the person s behalf, and assisting individuals with the reporting and documentation required of many public agencies. Economic Self-Sufficiency Planning: These services refer to a variety of strategies and tools that employment staff may provide to assist an individual in achieving economic self-sufficiency. An employment counselor usually begins by engaging a person in conversations about personal financial goals. Then they work together to develop a plan of action that the person can follow to achieve greater financial independence. As part of that plan, the employment counselor may provide training on budgeting and financial literacy (e.g., information about banking, using credit cards responsibly, etc.). The counselor may also link the person to resources that may help the person access work incentives, file taxes, save money, and/or improve credit. All of these activities and resources may help people increase their income. And the more income people earn, the more they can save. This enables them to build assets (e.g., acquiring a car or home) and move off of public benefits, if they choose. Economic self-sufficiency is increasingly being viewed as an essential part of wellness and recovery for people with mental illness Job Development: This service helps a person locate and secure a job that matches their career interests. Taking the labor market into consideration, job developers balance the needs of both the job seeker and employer. They can help to modify jobs or create new positions that previously did not exist. Job development activities may include: developing relationships with multiple employers; analyzing specific jobs (task requirements and setting characteristics); matching individuals to specific positions based on their interests, skills and needs; counseling job seekers about whether or how to disclose their mental illness to an employer; and advocating with employers to request flexible work schedules or other accommodations. Depending on individual preferences and agency resources, job developers may be minimally or extensively involved with contacting employers and locating jobs. Updated 9/25/12 6

7 Job Placement: This service refers to the process of placing people in different types of jobs. Job types vary by where they are located, the type of people working together, the amount of professional support that is available, the type of employer and the rate of pay. Some jobs are competitive and pay at least minimum wage. Others, like internships and volunteer jobs may not pay at all or may only pay a stipend. Jobs in sheltered workshop reimburse workers based on how much they produce. A job seeker may get a job within a program or at a business owned by the agency. In most cases, workers are members of the mainstream workforce, receiving a paycheck as a regular employee. Job Coaching: This service refers to the initial support that employment staff provide to help a person get started and settle into a new job. New employees often need help with acquiring work clothes, negotiating transportation, completing employee paper work, and budgeting for costs associated with going to work, such as lunch and travel. Once on the job, support may include helping workers learn to perform key tasks. A coach may also offer guidance on social norms, so that a worker can interact more smoothly with a supervisor and co-workers. Whatever form they take, supports may be offered at work or away from the job site, depending on what the person prefers. Job Retention: These services are supports that help a consumer stay employed and meet their career goals. Supports are individually tailored, and may be offered on or off the job site, consisting of whatever helps a person succeed and feel satisfied at work. These supports are flexible, ongoing, and can be provided by employment program staff, peers, co-workers, family, or friends. Peer support groups and job clubs provide an opportunity to discuss and address workplace issues with consumers who understand how to balance a career and a mental illness. Examples of other types of job retention support services are: disclosure counseling; assistance with negotiating workplace accommodations; recognizing success; help with making job modifications; and problem-solving important issues, such as housing or medical concerns, that may interfere with work. Depending on the person, support might include a weekly phone call with a staff person, meeting a friend at a coffee shop, or getting help arranging childcare and addressing other practical needs. Career Planning: These services focus on person-centered planning to help a person advance in their career. This usually begins with an employment counselor helping a working person clarify his or her career aspirations. Afterwards, the counselor and worker may develop a plan of action to help the worker achieve a job promotion, a new job in the same field, or a new job in a different field. It all depends upon what the worker prefers. The action plan may entail researching new jobs and networking. Since networking is considered vital to career development, employment counselors encourage workers to expand their personal and professional networks. This increases a worker s social capital and makes it easier to get new and better jobs in the future. Beyond career planning, employment staff may also provide or arrange for benefits planning so that a working person knows how any proposed career changes will affect his or her benefits. Updated 9/25/12 7

8 Job Types: Refers to a classification of jobs into different categories. Employment programs assist people with getting different types of jobs. It is important for a job seeker to know which type of job he or she wants and whether a particular employment program can help the person get such a job. Volunteer Jobs: These types of jobs involve real work without salary or wage in return. While volunteer jobs are unpaid, this type of job offers many intangible rewards. Here are some of the many benefits of volunteer work: 1) helps structure a person s time; 2) reduces isolation by providing opportunities for human interaction---making new friends; 3) enables a person to explore the world of paid employment without much stress----for example, it can help a person become familiar with the rhythms of work life; 4) offers opportunity to be productive, which increases self-esteem; 5) offers opportunity to develop new skills; 6) provides networking opportunities that can lead to paid employment; 7) represents an accomplishment that can be added to a person s resume, which may make the person more marketable to future employers. Internships: These types of jobs involve real work that may be paid (usually in the form of a small stipend) or unpaid, and the work is supervised. Internships provide a low-stress opportunity to learn specific job skills and to experience working with others on a team. Internships usually have a mentoring component, as well. Employment staff and, sometimes, internship captains (i.e., highly experienced interns) will show a new intern how to perform key tasks (e.g., how to use a copy machine to reproduce a memo). Many mental health employment programs offer different kinds of internships. For example, a person may intern on a clerical team, a reception team, or a kitchen team. These kinds of teams are especially common in Clubhouses in which all members work together to operate the clubhouse. Work Among Consumers: These types of jobs involve working with other consumers with onsite professional support from a mental health counselor or job coach. Workers are paid at least minimum wage. These types of jobs can help people develop the confidence to work in a more integrated setting. Transitional Employment: These type of jobs involve real work that is usually part-time (i.e., hours a week) and temporary (lasting from 6-9 months). These jobs are located in the community. They pay minimum wage or better and TE workers are paid directly by the employer. Transitional employment helps members gain work experience and build a work history by trying out different positions. Competitive, Integrated Employment: These types of jobs involve real work that is paid at a competitive wage and that occurs in an integrated setting (i.e., disabled and non-disabled employees work together). Updated 9/25/12 8

9 Employment Resources and Supports This section includes some helpful hints about Social Security benefits, the Ticket to Work program, the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities, Medicare Part D, ACCES-VR and related resources we thought you might want to know about. Social Security Programs and Benefits: Described below are many of the Social Security benefits and programs important to consumers, especially those who are planning a return to work. Individuals can also get information directly from the Social Security website, by calling the toll free number, or by visiting their local Social Security Office. For general information or to find the Social Security office, in your neighborhood, call SSDI & SSI: Many consumers receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits from the Social Security Administration due to their disability. The SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) program is for disabled individuals who have paid into the Social Security system via payroll taxes while working or who have parents or spouses that have paid into the system. The SSI (Supplemental Security Income) program is a needs based program for disabled individuals with limited income and resources. The SSDI and/or SSI are two distinct programs with separate rules governing eligibility and work incentives. Work Incentives: If you are an SSDI and/or SSI recipient you may wonder how earnings could affect your benefits and Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage. Because every person s benefit situation is unique, depending on factors such as work history, resources, and living arrangements, recipients should get a clear understanding of their benefit status and how work will impact them. Special employment support rules, called work incentives make it possible for individuals with disabilities on SSDI and/or SSI to work and still maintain eligibility for benefits. As stated earlier, different work incentives apply to each benefit program. Examples of work incentives are: Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs), Subsidies, Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS), MBI-WPD, Expansion of Medicare, 1619b, and Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits. To connect to a benefits specialist near you, call the New York State Work Incentives Support Center s toll-free technical support line at For help with a PASS plan go to Cornell University s Employment and Disability Institute online at For additional information about training and information on disability programs and work incentives also visit Cornell University s Employment and Disability Institute Download The Social Security Red Book with further information on social security and work incentives. Advice and assistance is available from the Coalition s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery: Pat Feinberg ext. 236 pfeinberg@coalitionny.org and Margie Staker ext. 237 mstaker@coalitionny.org. Updated 9/25/12 9

10 Ticket to Work The Ticket to Work Program is a SSA initiative to help people with disabilities receiving SSDI and/or SSI return to work. The program is designed to give you greater choice in receiving the employment services you need. The goal of the program is to help you earn enough money so that you will not need to depend on cash benefits. Those eligible for this program include people on SSDI or SSI who are between the ages of 18 and 65. For more information including how to use the ticket, the benefits of the ticket, resource contacts, and more on Employment Networks, call YOURTICKET. WIPAs: as of July 2012, the Federal government no longer funds the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD): The Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities is designed to allow working individuals receiving SSDI to earn more than the allowable Medicaid limits with the chance to retain their health coverage. Working people with a certified mental or physical impairment can also apply. The MBI-WPD program originally began in New York State in July of There is a moratorium on premium payments as of the date of this printing. To obtain information on the MBI-WPD, specifics on eligibility application and other information, go to the New York State Department of Health s website. At the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery, Pat Feinberg and Margie Staker are available to assist with applications in person, by or telephone. Pat Feinberg: x 236 pfeinberg@coalitionny.org Margie Staker: x 237 mstaker@coalitionny.org Medicare Part D: Many consumers have concerns about keeping prescription drug coverage when thinking about a return to work. On January 1, 2006 a new voluntary Medicare prescription drug program, referred to as Medicare Part D, went into effect for all Medicare eligible consumers. Consumers who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles) lost their Medicaid prescription coverage on December 31, Their only option (i.e. not voluntarily) is to receive their prescription drugs through Medicare Part D. Some low income Medicare Part D eligible consumers are also eligible for a federal Low Income Subsidy (LIS) which eliminates or reduces premiums and deductibles. Dual eligibles are automatically enrolled in both the LIS and Medicare Part D programs. Duals do not have premiums or deductibles and pay only very low co-payments. For more information on Medicare Part D including a more detailed summary, formulary updates, and a Resource Listing go to: Updated 9/25/12 10

11 ACCES-VR: Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) offers access to a full range of employment and independent living services that may be needed by persons with disabilities through their lives. ACCES-VR recognizes that all persons with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services and should have opportunities to work in jobs in their communities. Counselors guide individuals through service programs to reach their employment goals. Often this occurs through referrals to community based providers for services such as: vocational assessments; vocational counseling; assistance with transition from school to work; job training and placement; job follow-up; and other services to support the individual s employment objectives. ACCES-VR may help with sponsoring education and training opportunities designed to develop the skills needed for specific careers. ACCES-VR works in partnership with the business community, with vocational rehabilitation providers (including many of those listed in this directory), other agencies, labor organizations, and schools. It is important to know that getting services from ACCES-VR is a process that involves an application, being determined eligible for services, vocational counseling, and the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). To apply for ACCES-VR services you can contact your local ACCES-VR office directly or be referred by your treating physician, treatment center or rehabilitation program. For more information, call JOBS (5627) One-Stop Centers: In New York City, One-Stop Centers are also referred to as Workforce 1 Career Centers. These multi-service career centers house several public and private partner agencies in a single location to provide employment, education and training services. They offer one-stop shopping services to meet the myriad of needs of job-seeks. Partners at the One- Stop include the Department of Labor, NYC s Human Resource Administration, ACCESS-VR, Department for the Aging, and more. The goal of the One-Stop system is the coordination of these partner programs so that the customer has access to a range of services. Some of the free services at the Centers include: workshops on how to search for a job; resume and cover letter preparation; faxing resumes and telephoning employers; Internet access to job search web sites; computer skills assessment and workshops; job placement services; training opportunities; information on professions in high demand; Unemployment Insurance benefits information; Veteran services; vocational rehabilitation information; information on services for senior citizens; emergency assistance including utilities and food; education assessment and student financial aid application assistance; English as a Second Language; GED and Adult Literacy information; and help with benefits such as childcare, Medicaid and other health insurance. For more information on the one-stop centers, including locations, visit New York State s Workforce New York Updated 9/25/12 11

12 Choosing an Employment Program There are many programs listed in this directory. Although many of these provide similar services, each program is different in its own way. To help you distinguish one service from the next so that you can decide which program is right for you, we have listed some questions you may want to ask program staff: Is there a waiting list to get in? If so, how long do I have to wait? Do I need a referral? Do I need to become eligible? How do I qualify for services at this program? Can I explore what kind of job I would be good at? Do I have to complete any requirements before I can get help with looking for a job? How long will it take me to get a job? What kind of job can I get? When I get a job, will I be working with other consumers or on my own? Where will my job be located and how long can I keep it? If I am in a training program, do I get paid? How much? Is there flexibility if I cannot participate in the program? Who helps support me on the job? What kind of supports is provided and how long do they last? What happens if I do not like my first job or it does not work out? How quickly will I get help with finding a new one? Do you offer any kind of peer support? Who can help me with my cash and medical benefits? What other services do you provide besides employment services? Updated 9/25/12 12