While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to high unemployment rates overall, low-wage workers have been hit particularly hard. It is likely that many of the jobs lost as a result of the current recession will never return, even as new jobs are created. Some job seekers may have to learn new skills so they can find employment in a new field. Sector…

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA) of 2014, defines Competitive Integrated Employment as, "work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individuals is: (a) compensated at or above minimum wage or commensurate with individuals without disabilities…

It is hard to imagine a more critical time for helping the low-skilled and disenfranchised youth in our communities to become gainfully employed. Even as the nation suffers through its worst economic downturn in decades, America's business and industry leaders are predicting an unprecedented shortage of educated and skilled workers to meet the…

Provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and differences between it and previous manpower training acts present questions for potential training institutions. Suggested ways of dealing with these questions are discussed. The first question concerns steps to become a contractor of training programs under JTPA. These include (1)…

This workbook presents the essential principles of successful marketing and applies the proven strategies used by the private sector to attract customers for their products to the recruitment of clients for employment and training programs. It also provides the tools and how-to's to develop recruitment strategies. Informative materials, lists of…

At the international Youth Employment Summit, September 7-11, 2002, representatives from 140 countries gathered in Alexandria, Egypt to share knowledge and experience and to advance the cause of better preparation of youth for entry into, and success in, their respective national economies. At the Summit, for the benefit of those with little…

In August 1983, when the second largest employer in Washington County, Maryland, closed its plant, the local unemployment rate was 13%. The following month, Hagerstown Junior College (HJC) received $50,000 in state funds to initiate a dislocated worker (DLW) program. The program included orientation by a counselor, diagnostic testing, and…

The National Association of County Training and Employment Professionals represents the service delivery areas (SDAs) that operate and administer programs funded by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). With renewal and overhaul of the JTPA on the legislative horizon, the association made the following recommendations: (1) eligibility should…

This booklet describes four strategies used in successful recruitment and motivational programs for Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) participants: (1) locate potential participants whose degree of disenfranchisement may be so great that they have given up and dropped out; (2) raise participants' expectations so that they can exercise more…

This study investigated co-worker involvement between 341 supported employees with various levels of mental retardation and their nondisabled co-workers. Results indicated that co-workers interacted extensively with the employees who had mental retardation, especially in advocacy, evaluation, and training roles. (Author/JDD)

This document provides descriptions of employment interventions as a resource for use in initiating or expanding employment services for individuals with disabilities. The document presents abstracts of 40 employability/employment interventions and practices currently in use by independent living programs throughout the United States. The…

In May 2006, the National Poverty Center (NPC) at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan hosted a meeting--"Research on Prisoner Reentry: What Do We Know and What Do We Want to Know?"--to discuss the state of research on employment-focused prisoner reentry programs. This paper, written as background for…

This manual presents a model with all of the ancillary components that have made the Job Club/Literacy Education Program a successful undertaking for the White Plains (New York) Adult Literacy Program. Section I for administrators focuses on establishing the service (assessing the need, funding, developing linkages, location), managing the…

This second of four publications in the Neighborhood Networks Employment Series focuses on how Neighborhood Networks centers can deliver effective job development and placement programs for residents who are on public assistance, are unemployed, or are underemployed. This guide explains how Neighborhood Networks centers can develop relationships…

Monetary costs and benefits of supported employment to individuals with mental retardation (n=20), taxpayers, and society were assessed, as was the quality of life of supported employees. Supported employment was found to be cost-effective over a five-year period during which programs moved from sheltered to supported employment. (DB)