wp-google-map-plugin domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/adminemp/nwp.employu.org/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131As discussed in a previous article in this series, participating in IEP meetings falls under the rights of a student’s parent/guardian. Participating in the creation and modifications of your student’s IEP is an essential part of ensuring your student has the supports they need when it comes to their academic career. Because there is so much that can be discussed within an IEP meeting, preparing for the meeting ahead of time can assist in making sure you have covered all of your questions and concerns and ease any anxieties you may be experiencing. Continue reading below for tips on how to prepare for your student’s IEP meeting.
Though this may not be feasible for everyone, taking the day before, of, and after your student’s IEP meeting can help you feel more relaxed and prepared for the meeting. Use the day before the meeting to prepare and the day after to rest. If you are not able to fully take off from work, try to lighten your load where you can in order to avoid feeling frazzled or rushed.
Bring the following records to the meeting
Veterans offer an incredible combination of leadership abilities, unique experiences, and various sets of skills to the workforce. These assets, which were honed during years of military service bring value to employers and communities. But according to a report published by Prudential, two-thirds of veterans experience a challenging transition from military to civilian life. The biggest challenge veterans named is “finding a job.” Below we go over some of the barriers veterans face when it comes to finding employment and ways employU services can assist in overcoming these challenges.
Explaining how military skills are applicable in a civilian job setting can be difficult for many veterans. Many may know that they are able to fulfill the job duties of an employment opportunity but may not know how to explain why or how they are able to do so. An employU Employment Specialist is able to assist with this. Translating skillsets and how they apply to different job duties and settings are something our Employment Specialists can communicate to both jobseeking veterans and potential employers. Employment Specialists can also assist Veterans in building their resumes to include these skill sets.
Veterans may feel they are out of practice when it comes to conducting an effective job search and interviewing for a job opening. Not knowing where to look or how to best communicate their skills to potential employers can cause unnecessary challenges for veterans looking for work. Providing the resources needed for a successful career path, an employU Employment Specialist is able to assist each jobseeker in their job search, expertly matching a veteran’s skills to job openings available within their community. An Employment Specialist can also practice interview skills with the jobseeker, as well as attend interviews with them. Ultimately providing the jobseeker with a support system that is much more than just job search assistance, an Employment Specialist acts as a resource, advocate, and employment expert for each client they serve.
Physical and mental health challenges acquired during military service often cause concern for veterans looking for employment. Not knowing that accommodations may be available or how to ask for them is another challenge veterans face when looking for a job. Not only does employU offer Self-Advocacy Workshops to teach veteran jobseekers about their rights within the workplace, how to advocate for themselves, and what possible job accommodations can look like, employU Employment Specialists also act as advocates on behalf of the jobseeker. Employment Specialists can work with both the jobseeker and employer to find accommodations that support successful outcomes.
For more information on free Veteran Employment Services visit https://employu.org/veteran-resources/
Whether you’re ready to start a new career path or continue excelling on your current one, our staff at employU can give you the tools and support you need to put your best foot forward and find the right fit for you. Additionally, when you work with us through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), our services are free of charge to you. VR is a federal-state program that works with individuals with disabilities. Set up as a series of services, VR partners with vendors, such as employU, to facilitate the delivery of these services to its customers. But how do you become a VR customer? Check out the information below to find out more.
Once we receive the form, a member of our Relationship Management Team will reach out by email, phone call, or text message to help you get started with the process of becoming a VR customer. Should you have any questions along the way, this employU staff member is just an email or text message away to assist you. Fill out a VR application
The first step in becoming a VR customer is filling out the application. Your employU staff contact will email you the application to fill out. You can also find the applications for adult and youth services here. When filling out the application, make sure to also watch VR’s orientation video. This is required by VR. Once the application is filled out, you can simply email it back to your employU contact and they will submit it to VR on your behalf.
Once VR has your application, they will begin processing it. This process time will vary depending on each individual’s unique set of circumstances, but rest assured they will reach out to you soon to discuss the next steps. Every individual has a unique set of circumstances which must be reviewed carefully by VR to determine eligibility. Some situations may take longer than others, so be sure to communicate with your VR counselor once they reach out about their decision process. Timely submissions of documentation and other paperwork requested of you will help the counselor move the process along in your case.
When it comes time to meet with your VR Counselor, make sure you are prepared to get the most out of your meeting. This first meeting can take place in the VR office, over the phone, or through video chat. The meeting will last at least an hour. Your VR counselor will ask you about the following topics during your meeting;
Make sure to bring the following to the meeting with your VR counselor;
You can also prepare by reading VR’s handbook linked here.
After the meeting, your VR counselor may send you for additional evaluations or assessments, at no cost to you, if additional information is required. VR will use this information to determine your eligibility. Eligibility Determinations can take up to 60 days to make.
Once VR has determined that you are eligible for services, your team at VR will begin writing your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This process can take up to 90 days. The plan also lists services and service providers you are eligible for. If you are a Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) beneficiary and would like to receive a benefits analysis to determine how income you receive from working could impact your benefits, you can request a benefits analysis, also called a WIPA referral. It is recommended that you request this before your VR team writes your IPE.
Remember, your VR Counselor is there to help and you have the right to use a service provider of your choosing, like employU. You can ask to be referred to a specific vender and request other services such as;
If you choose employU as a provider, your VR counselor will send a referral to employU. Once our staff receives your referral from your VR counselor, your employment services can begin. You will be contacted for an intake where you can discuss your job goals and plan of action with your employU staff member.
As peak seasons approach, many businesses feel the crunch of trying to find skilled employees to meet the demand of their busy season. It’s a fortunate problem to have, but it’s still one that needs to be addressed and often needs to be addressed quickly. employU has a solution. On-the-Job Trainings (OJTs) are not only a way for employU clients to gain work experience and training, but it’s also a risk-free way for businesses to find help for their busy seasons or large projects when they may need an extra hand or two.
What makes OJTs risk-free? When a business partners with employU to become a host business, employU clients interview for the positions, just like any other employee would. But with On-the-Job Trainings, employU is the Employer of Record for IRS reporting. This means employU pays the wages and is responsible for the taxes and payroll associated with employU clients placed in OJTs. Furthermore, liability insurance of $1,000,000 is covered by employU and workman’s compensation insurance is covered by the State of Florida. Ongoing support is also part of On-the-Job Training. An employU Job Coach will visit the worksite on a regular basis to provide support not only to the client, but also to the host business. At each visit, the Job Coach will check in with the client’s supervisor to ensure that everything is going well and any challenges are addressed.
Capture ISG General Manager, Justin Council has found great value in On-the-Job Trainings and regularly placed employU clients to work on his Voice of the Participant (VOP) program. VOP is a highly specialized survey program that is tailored and delivered directly to Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. “By participating… in OJTs, Capture [has] benefitted in so many ways… All of our projects benefit because we have the luxury of having individuals who can lend their thoughts and ideas directly to the program managers, while also being relatable to the respondents on the other end of the phone or Video Phone,” Justin tells employU. “100% of our OJT participants have come from employU, which is why we are so grateful for our partnership… employU is the gem that every company should try to discover.”
OJTs can also serve as a pipeline that deepens the pool of skilled employees for future employment opportunities. Vice President of Compsys, Crystal saw this firsthand with employU client Hasani. Hasani completed a summer On-the-Job Training with Compsys and decided to apply for a full-time position with the company after graduating high school. He was hired, and because of the training he received from his OJT, he has been able to quickly cross-train in different departments. Crystal explains how hard it can be to find skilled employees to fill available positions in the manufacturing industry, “The hard thing with manufacturing is that there is a lack of interest in the younger generation for trades. So, when you have someone like Hasani, who all he wants to do is work with his hands and build things, those are the types of students you really need to grab onto and foster and train. We couldn’t thank employU enough for the opportunity and for bringing Hasani to us.”
American Electric COO David Yencarelli agrees that the demand for skilled workers is a difficult one to meet, “There is a shortage of skilled crafter workers in Northeast Florida. employU serves as a pipeline.”
employU staff is also available throughout the OJT to assist businesses in acclimating clients to their new workplace environment. “There was plenty of staff with employU that helped us along the way… They really did all the work for us. They helped with everything… All we really have to do was get their folks put to work,” Crystal explains. “I think that it’s an untapped resource. …It’s just a no brainer. It’s great for the economy. It’s great for the [clients]. It’s great for us.”
For more on how to become a host business with employU visit https://employu.org/business-partners/