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CareerLink Technology Based Learning Able-Disabled Advocacy's CareerLink proposal was selected as one of 20 national demonstration projects utilizing technology-based learning to provide career training to individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in the technology occupations of IT Technician, Desktop Support Technician, Network Technician, Server Technician, Java Programmer, and Microsoft Office Specialist. We also offer specialty learning tracks on an Independent Study basis by special permission of the instructor to individuals who have been selected to receive one of our CareerLink scholarships. Among the higher-level training is coursework leading to certifications such as MCSA, MCSE, MCDBA, CCNA, Project Management, Six Sigma, Certified Oracle Associate, and CompTIA Security +. Call if you have a specific training interest. Primary partners in the project include the Association of Rehabilitation Programs in Computer Technology and Skillsoft, one of the largest developers of online training in the world. Together they have partnered with Able-Disabled Advocacy (A-DA) granting scholarships for individuals with disabilities who have been selected for enrollment. The San Diego Futures Foundation provided the technology expertise in developing the curriculum and works at building relationships with technology employers. Further employer support comes from the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Should students choose to complete their coursework at a Learning Lab, they can work online at A-DA's central office in San Diego located at 4283 El Cajon Boulevard. Most of the coursework is done online and can be easily completed at home or anywhere there is Internet access. Classroom meetings once every other week are mandatory while in the Training Phase of the program. The training program has four stages:
Potential applicants can call A-DA at 619-231-5990 ext. 302 or ext. 315 to learn more about the training and application process. Only those awarded scholarships will be enrolled in this training. Learn more about the Technology Based Learning Program Funding Source: Funded in full by the U.S. Department of Labor. Award Amount: $584,600 over a 3-year period. HVRP TechWorks The program is open to Veterans living on the street or in shelters or transitional housing who are interested in improving their skills and becoming employed and self-supporting. Services:
Eligibility:
For more information, please call Patricia Marr or Kevin Bell at 619.269.9351. Located at our Central San Diego office - 619.269.9351 521 Grape Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (map) Funding Source: Funded in full by the U.S. Department of Labor Award Amount: $900,000 over a 3-year period. Ticket To Work What is Ticket-to-Work? Ticket-to-Work is a work incentive program of the Social Security Administration to help disability recipients get off public benefits because they work and support themselves. Participation is voluntary. You are not required to participate. It is only for disabled individual who desire to get off benefits. Who is eligible? Individuals receiving SSI and SSDI between the ages of 18 and 64 Able-Disabled Advocacy is recruiting for our Ticket to Work Program. What are A-DA's requirements?
How do you use your ticket? Find an Employment Network (EN) whose services match what you will need to go to work. ENs offer different services, so you might want to check out more than one. You will assign your ticket to the EN that you choose. The EN needs to agree to take your ticket. You can call Joanne at Able-Disabled Advocacy at (619) 231-5990, extension 309. What kind of jobs do ENs have? ENs don’t have jobs. They can assist you in looking for a job. You still need to compete in the open labor market and get hired. ENs can help individuals look for jobs in many occupations. What services does A-DA offer to ticket holders?
Does A-DA have to accept my ticket? Ticket holders can choose an EN and an EN can decide if they wish to accept an individual's ticket. What are the benefits to participating? If you get a job, you will likely increase your income and improve the quality of your life. You are exempt from disability reviews when participating in the program because you are showing a willingness to become self-supporting. If you would like to see how working will affect your benefits, you can use the Benefits to Work Calculator at ca.db101.org. Can I earn money and still receive my SSI or SSDI benefits? The answer depends on whether you are receiving SSI or SSDI or both. SSI is a low-income program. When your income changes, such as when you earn income by working, your SSI cash benefit will change too because the benefit amount is based on income that you have. Most SSI recipients have no other income. Basically you will lose $1 for every $2 that you make and that starts immediately. If you are on SSDI, the answer is different. If you earn under the Trial Work Level ($720 in 2011), you can keep the money you earn and ALL of your cash benefit. If you earn over $720, you can still keep all the money you earn and keep your cash benefit if you have no used all of your Trial Work Months (months where earnings were over Trial Work Limit). We review how working affects benefits for all our ticket holders. Is there a time frame for participating? You have to show some progress towards your goal of employment. You will be expected to be working within 9 months unless enrolled in school. You can ask your EN about Timely Progress Reviews for the details. SSA will be asking ENs to document your progress (such as completing training or number of months worked each year). You will also receive a letter asking about your progress. What happens if I try to work and find out that I am not able to work because my medical condition worsens? You can apply to get on benefits again. You can request Expedited Reinstatement of benefits and get back on benefits in about 60 days. Will I lose my MediCal or Medicare benefits if I begin to work? No, you can retain your medical benefits for 7 years after you start working. It is one of the provisions of the Ticket program. You may qualify for MediCal for the Working Disabled Program when you begin to work. Under this program, you can earn up to $40,000 and still qualify for medical benefits. You may have to pay a share of cost. How do you verify that I did get a job? We ask you to give us copies of your paystubs. We stay in touch with our ticket holders because we want them to continue to work successfully for a long time. We will track your employment for 60 months after you start work. Do I have to report that I am working to the Social Security Administration office? Yes, you are required to report it. You will need to provide copies of your paystubs to verify how much you earned. If you are receiving SSI, your cash benefit will change once you start working; however, you will still have more total income because SSA only takes away $1 in benefits for every $2 that you earn. For more information, contact our Ticket-To-Work Counselor, Joanne Tunstall at (619) 231-5990 ext. 309. Microsoft's VetWORKS Program Microsoft is partnering with Able-Disabled Advocacy to provide Transitioning Veterans with the technology training and support that needed for a successful transition into the civilian workforce. The mission of our VetWORKS program is “to provide customized services and training that enhance the job skills learned in the military, as well as assist Veterans/spouses to develop new skills for jobs in high growth/high wage technology related occupations.” To that end, A-DA and our partners have created a cost effective system that includes a comprehensive continuum of training, career advancement and other support services. A DA will prepare each participant to better meet industry expectations prior to an employment referral. To better upgrade transferable military and other skills in the classroom. Services:
Learn more about the Technology Based Learning Program San Diego CONNECTS This is a general career counseling program where we assist youth in identifying career goals based on their strengths and interests. Then we develop a plan on how to achieve those goals. Plans will consist of milestones related to education, training and work experience. Step by step, we provide guidance and support as they continue their education or start their career. Eligibility:
If you are interested in applying for San Diego CONNECTS, download our application in either format and fill it out prior to your interview. Student Application: Adobe PDF -Microsoft Word Please call Program Manager Denise Yoggerst at 619.231.5990 ext. 307 or contact her via our contact form to learn more about the services and program eligibility. Funding Source: Funded in full by the State of California Employment Development Department. Award Amount: $500,000 TechWORKS An innovative Information Technology Training Program that will serve San Diego County low-income neighborhoods where poverty, unemployment and the need for training are the greatest. We will target training and employment in the high growth Information occupations based on local labor market demand. Participants will receive Technology-Based Training in the Software and Computer Services (SCS) industry. Career options include: (1) Computer and Network Support Specialists (A+ and Net+); (2) Desktop Support Technicians (MCP); (3) Microsoft Business Specialists (MOS and MCAS); and (4) Information Assurance (Security) Specialist. Training will consist of a blended educational experience to promote academic achievement and enhance lifelong learning. Along with online learning, trainees will receive extensive education and career planning services; user support; hands-on and work-based learning opportunities; labor market information; career counseling; on-going assessment; in-kind financial assistance to support training; subsidy for test fees for credentialing; and most important, job placement assistance following training. Funding Source: Funded in full by the State of California Employment Development Department. Award Amount: $919,955 over a 17 month period. VetWORKS VetWORKS serves Recently Separated Veterans residing in San Diego. A comprehensive array of career advancement services are offered, including job search assistance, tuition for vocational training, computer skills upgrading, resume development, entrepreneurial training and work-related financial support for tools, transportation, test and license fees. Eligibility: You must be a Recently Seperated Veteran (served within the last 48 months) or have a service-connected disability and was honorably discharged. Located at South County Career Center - 619.424.6860 1111 Bay Blvd., Suite E, Chula Vista, CA 91911(map) If you are interested in applying for VetWORKS, download our application in either format and fill it out prior to your interview. Client Application: Adobe PDF -Microsoft Word For more information, please call Program Manager Denise Yoggerst at 619.231.5990 ext. 307 or contact her via our contact form. Funding Source: Funded in full by the State of California Employment Development Department. Award Amount: $1,000,000 over a 2-year period. YouthBuild YouthBuild is a highly successful and well-respected program for out-of-school young adults that places equal emphasis on community development, job training, career development, and education. The program is nationally recognized for its ability to enable young adults to create success for themselves while making a significant contribution to society. There have been 226 YouthBuild programs across the country. YouthBuild was started in 1978 as the Youth Action Program with the support of HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It provides young adults an immediately productive role in their community as they engage in the development and renovation of low-income and transitional housing, learn about the responsibilities of work, learn academic skills required for high school diplomas, acquire job skills in construction trades, and learn leadership and social interaction skills. In this program we will also emphasize job readiness and how to keep a job, along with other life skills, such as personal finance and drivers license training. Eligibility:
Our next application deadline is Wednesday, September 14. Please download the application, fill it out on screen or with a pen after printing it and then call 619.928.4532 to schedule a appointment. For more information, please call Denise Yoggerst at 619.231.5990 x307 or contact her via our contact form. Funding Source: Funded in full by the U.S. Department of Labor Award Amount: $1,100,000 over a 3-year period. YouthBuild Mentoring We are extending support for our students by coordinating group mentoring activities. Once students and mentors figure out who they have the most chemistry with, they will be matched. Our mentors represent a variety of professions and backgrounds. YouthBuild Mentors must be willing to volunteer 6 hours per month for at least 1 year. If you are interested in mentoring our students, please download our application in either format and fax it back to 619.231.2380. Mentor Application: Adobe PDF - Microsoft Word For more information, please call Program Coordinator Travis Perreira at 619.231.5990 ext. 312 or contact him via our contact form. Funding Source: Funded in full by YouthBuild USA. Award Amount: $75,000 over a 2-year period. |