TAKING THE NEXT POSITIVE STEP IN YOUR FUTURE…

TAKING THE NEXT POSITIVE STEP IN YOUR FUTURE… Dislocated Employees Orientation Meeting

JOBLINK Linking job seekers and employers to strengthen the workforce… • JobLink Career Centers provide you a single place to address your employment and training needs. • JobLink Career Centers offer a more convenient, efficient and effective way for all job seekers to look for a new or better job.

JOBLINK Available Services: • Job Placement Assistance • Job Development • Career Information • Education & Training Assessment • Self-Directed Job Search • Workforce Re-entry • Needs and Services Referral • Resume Assistance

Available Services: • Assessment Testing • Unemployment Insurance • Work Permits • Notary Services • Voter Registration • Fax Services • Selective Service Registration • Computerized Typing Test • Employability Lab

Available Services: • OJT (On-the-Job Training) • Veteran Services • Trade Adjustment Act • Job Listings • Labor Market Information • School-to-Careers Apprenticeship Program • Workforce Investment Act Training Program

Available Services: • Youth-at-Work Program • Vocational Rehabilitation • Services for the Blind • Department of Social Services • Title V Older Worker Program • Federal Bonding Program

JobLink Centers Martin County JobLink/ESC Washington County JobLink/ESC 200 Greene Street- P.O. Box 10 Suite 201 209 East Main Street Williamston, NC 27892 Plymouth, NC 27962 (252) 792-7816 (252) 793-4041 ext: 203/212 Beaufort County JobLink Chowan County JobLink/ESC 1385 John Small Avenue 1316-C North Broad Street Washington, NC 27889 Edenton, NC 27932 (252) 946-3116 (252) 482-2195 Bertie County JobLink 1001 S. King Street Windsor, NC 27983 (252) 794-5616

EMPLOYMENT SECURITYCOMMISSION Employment Services: • Job listings and referrals • Clerical Testing • Resume Preparation Assistance • On-line registration and job selection (www.ncesc.com) • Labor Market Information • On-line state applications • Referrals to supportive services • Job Development Contacts

Unemployment Insurance: • On-line, telephone or in-person filing (www.ncesc.com or 1-877-841-9617) • On-line potential benefits estimator • Eligibility based on earnings in covered employment – not paid by worker • Must be able to work, available for work and actively seeking work • No restrictions to keep from accepting full-time suitable work • Earnings allowance (usually about 20% of WBA) – amount you can earn before any deductions

Unemployment Insurance: • Retirement pensions come off the top (not subject to earnings allowance) • Claims are effective on Sunday of week in which they are filed. Each claim lasts for a period of one year. During that one-year period, you are allowed to draw between 13 and 26 weeks. The money may run out before the year does. • There are no extensions available at the present time.

Unemployment Insurance: • Benefit eligibility is based on earnings during a base period which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. At the present time, the base period is October 2004 through September 2005. The base period will change again on April 3, 2006. • The maximum weekly benefit amount is $442.00. The weekly benefit amount is figured by dividing the amount of the highest quarter wages in the base period by 26.

Unemployment Insurance: • Duration of benefits is figured by dividing the total base period wages by the highest quarter and multiplying by eight and two-thirds (8 2/3). The maximum duration is 26 weeks. • Severance Pay: If you receive severance pay when you leave your job, you must wait until the period covered by the severance pay has passed before filing a claim for benefits. Exception: If you enroll in training (one approved class) and bring proof of your enrollment, you will not be required to wait until the period covered by the severance pay runs out. You can file immediately.

Unemployment Insurance: • Waiting Period: The first eligible week of each claim series is a waiting period. No one who files against the State of North Carolina is paid for the first eligible week of their claim. • Enrolled In Training: If you are enrolled in training under the Dislocated Worker Program, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits without having to look for work while you are attending school.

Unemployment Insurance: • Work Refusals: Failure to accept suitable work could affect your eligibility for benefits. If you refuse work, you will give a statement explaining why you did not accept the job. This statement will be sent to Raleigh and a determination will be made. The criteria for determining whether or not work is suitable are the degree of risk involved to health, safety, and morals; physical fitness and prior training; experience and prior earnings; length of unemployment; prospects for securing local work in your primary occupation.

Unemployment Insurance: NOTE: Suitability of work may change as the length of your unemployment progresses. When you first become unemployed, your chances of finding other work are the best they will ever be. Your skills are at their peak and statistics have shown that the majority of individuals find work in the first week following their separation from employment. The longer you remain unemployed, you begin losing your skills and your chances of finding work diminish. In view of this, when you first become unemployed, your wage expectation might be higher than it is after you have been unemployed for a while. As your length of unemployment increases, you may need to lower your expectations. A job which was not considered suitable for you at the beginning of your claim may be considered suitable later in the claim series.

Unemployment Insurance: State and Federal Income Tax: Unemployment insurance benefits are subject to state and federal income taxes. You may have state and federal income taxes withheld from your weekly benefit payment upon request. Federal taxes are withheld at the rate of 10% of your weekly benefit amount. The amount deducted for state tax is variable. You may designate withholding for state taxes from 1% to 100% of your weekly benefit amount.

Employment Security CommissionFor more information - contact: Martin County JobLink/ESC Washington County JobLink/ESC 200 Greene Street- P.O. Box 10 Suite 201 209 East Main Street Williamston, NC 27892 Plymouth, NC 27962 (252) 792-7816 (252) 793-4041 ext: 203/212 Employment Security Comm. Chowan County JobLink/ESC 112 West Third Street 1316-C North Broad Street Washington, NC 27889 Edenton, NC 27932 (252) 946-2141 (252) 482-2195

Dislocated Worker Program (Workforce Investment Act) Northeastern Workforce Development Board

Dislocated Worker Defined as an individual who has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise.

Under the Dislocated Worker Program, there are three levels of service: • Core Services • Intensive Services • Training

Core Services are coordinated and delivered by JobLink Center staff and their partners and include the following: • Workforce Investment Act program eligibility determination • Initial Assessment-( skill level, aptitudes) • Job Search & Placement assistance • Labor Market Information • Performance Information and Program Costs • Financial Aid Information • Information on Supportive Services-(transportation, child care, etc.) CORE SERVICES

Intensive Services If a dislocated worker is unable to find employment through core services and the Case Manager determines that more assistance is needed for the individual to obtain employment, they are referred to Intensive Services. Participants that progress into Intensive Services are enrolled in the Workforce Investment Act Dislocated Worker Program.

Intensive Services include the following: • Comprehensive and specialized assessment of skill levels • In-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate goals • Development of an Individual Employment Plan • Individual/group counseling and career planning • Case Management activities

Training If core services and intensive services under the WIA Dislocated Worker Program do not result in you obtaining employment, and the Case Manager determines that additional training is needed, participants may be enrolled into training.

Training • Individual Training Accounts Curriculum-based training in Occupations in Demand Curriculum/training must be approved in the NC Stars listing of eligible training providers by the local Workforce Development Board. May cover the cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies, and required curriculum equipment

Training • On the Job Training The On the Job Training Program prepares dislocated workers for re-entry into the labor force by increasing their occupational and educational skills. The OJT program is designed to place participants into unsubsidized employment at the end of the designated training period. Employers collect the benefit of up to 50% reimbursement of training costs.

Dislocated Worker Program (Workforce investment Act) ITEMS NEEDED AT TIME OF APPLICATION • Letter of Layoff from employer • Pay Check Stub from Employer • Applicant’s Birth Certificate • Applicant’s Social Security Card • Applicant’s license or picture ID

Dislocated Workers ProgramFor more information – contact: Martin County JobLink Washington County JobLink 200 Greene Street- P.O. Box 10 Suite 201 209 East Main Street Williamston, NC 27892 Plymouth, NC 27962 (252) 792-7816 (252) 793-4041 ext: 203/212 Beaufort County JobLink Chowan County JobLink 1385 John Small Avenue 1316-C North Broad Street P.O. Drawer 1787 Edenton, NC 27932 Washington, NC 27889 (252) 482-2195 (252) 946-3116

DISLOCATED WORKERS PROGRAMFor more information – contact: Bertie County JobLink 1001 S. King Street Windsor, NC 27983 (252) 794-5616

Community Colleges • Beaufort County Community College • College of the Albemarle • Martin Community College Martin Community College Beaufort Community College

Degrees: College Transfer – AA Degree Vocational: AAS, Diploma, Certificate Courses Delivered By: Traditional (classroom) Internet Hybrid (blended) Telecourse Information Highway Financial Support: WIA: On approved programs Pell: On individual qualifications Scholarships: On criteria and need Getting Started: Submit Application Provide Transcripts Take the Placement Test Apply for Financial Aid Meet with an Advisor/Counselor Curriculum

BASIC Education GED Skills Lab HRD teaches… Job Application Resumé Writing Interview Techniques Basic Computer Skills Money Management Career Planning Occupational Courses Online Ed-to-Go Classroom Specific Training Financial Support GED – FREE Skills Lab – FREE HRD – FREE Occupational Courses Based on number of hours Getting Started: Call and register Come to class Upon completion, receive CEU’s, Diploma, or Certificate ContinuingEducation

Small Business Center provides: • Business Counseling for new and existing businesses • Business Counseling and Training on… • How to Start a Business • How to Write a Business Plan • Financing a Business • Marketing for Success • Record keeping and Taxes

Community Colleges Contact Information Beaufort Community College Martin Community College 252-946-6194 252-792-1521 Clay Carter Dr. Phyllis Broughton Occupational and Workplace Recruitment Dean of Academic Affairs Lentz Stowe Walter Whitfield Small Business Center Director Interim Executive Director Gary Burbage Continuing Education Director of Admissions Georgette Chilton Small Business Center Director College of the Albemarle 252-335-0821

Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation is an employment agency for people with disabilities.

You are eligible for VR services if… • You have a physical, mental, learning disability, or emotional impairment that affects your ability to find or maintain employment, and • You require VR services to get ready for, find or keep a job.

Vocational Rehabilitation VR can provide various employment services to assist people in obtaining employment. These include: • training for job skills • job seeking skills training • job placement • follow-up

Vocational Rehabilitation If you qualify for services, you and your vocational rehabilitation Counselor will design an individual plan for employment to meet your needs.

Vocational Rehabilitation The goal for Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist individuals with disabilities with their employment goals.

North Carolina Home Protection Pilot ProgramAnd Loan Fund The North Carolina Home Protection Pilot Program, created by the General Assembly in 2004, has been expanded this year to help workers who have lost their jobs because of changing economic conditions.

Home Protection Pilot Program • Operated by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. • Inspired by the large number of plant closings the state has been experiencing. • Five of the eligible counties are Bertie, Halifax, Northampton, Tyrrell and Washington

To be eligible for a loan, a homeowner must meet all of the following criteria. They must: • Reside in an eligible county • Have lost their job due to changing economic conditions • Have a mortgage that is secured by real property • Demonstrate an ability to resume their mortgage payment after the assistance ends • Have had a stable employment and credit history prior to losing their job, and • Meet other eligibility requirements.

Home Protection Pilot Program You do not need to be currently unemployed or in foreclosure to apply for the program. Assistance is available to avoid foreclosure and/or allow workers financial assistance to pursue retraining. Do not delay your applications!

Program offers: • Stay of foreclosure on eligible properties • Qualifying homeowners can receive zero- interest loans • Short-term- to bring a mortgage current, or • Long-term- to keep a mortgage current for up to 18 months while the homeowner is between jobs

Program Offers: • The principal is repaid after the term of assistance ends. Assistance is available in designated counties on a first-come, first-serve basis, and until funds are expended. • Participating local agencies are offering housing counseling and assistance to determine whether dislocated workers are eligible for assistance from the loan fund.

For eligibility determination, application assistance and counseling, dislocated employees should contact: Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA) P.O. Box 530 Rich Square, NC 27869 (252) 539-4155 or Bertie County JobLink 1001 S. King Street Windsor, NC 27983 (252) 794-5616

Financial Planning Financial Planning Looks at the Big Picture • Insurance • Retirement planning • Tax planning • Spending, budgeting, and debt • Investing • Estate planning © 2006, Financial Planning Association®

Insurance Health Insurance • Stay in employer’s plan • Use COBRA • Obtain private coverage • Switch to spouse’s plan Life & Disability Insurance • Can you convert it? • Shop for the best deal © 2006, Financial Planning Association®

TAKING THE NEXT POSITIVE STEP IN YOUR FUTURE…