Surviving a Layoff

Back to School - Is it only for the kids?

2010-07-08T15:25:58Z

Guest blogger Monica Santiago, County Extension Agent for Urban Development with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, writes this month about the importance of going back to school.

It is summer and the kids will be gearing up for Back to School in a few weeks, but you may be wondering, "Are they the only ones that should be gearing up to return to school?" It may be a perfect time to reconsider the possibility of returning to obtain that very valuable education you've been pondering for what seems to be a lifetime. But before we head out and enroll, here are some things you may want to consider before taking that final step into the world of academia:

1. Why do you want to return? Are you looking to obtain the credential necessary for a "better" job/career or simply tired of your current circumstances and looking for something new? Always be sure to have the right reason or you may not have the necessary drive to see the decision through to completion.

2. What is your specific goal? If you are seeking to obtain your high school diploma/GED, that is quite clear and the goal does not need further thought. However, if you already have your business degree and are seeking a more specialized certification or training, your options may be plentiful. You may need to research and determine the exact course of action you'd like to take.

3. Is it economically feasible at this time? School can be costly, depending on your goals and institution of choice. You may want to consider your current financial state, existing debts and financial obligations, and possible eligibility for various forms of financial aid. Be sure to research these ahead of time and gather as much information and data as you ca about aid that is not to be repaid as well as those that will require repayment in order to make a sound decision. However, remember to also include the consideration of what financial benefits may result from obtaining the enhanced education. This information may outweigh the temporary cost. If necessary, seek the counsel of a consultant in the field to weigh these financial options.

4. Is the best suited institution within your reach? Various institutions have specific eligibility criteria. Do you meet their requirements? Is the campus accessible based on your needs and location (physically or online)? Is the program a match for your goals? Will the classes available to you meet the requirements of the goals you have set out to achieve? Don't conform your goals to the classes available....be sure to choose those programs that meet the goals you have set!

5. Is the support you need in place? As adults, our life's responsibilities are many and varied. You may have unique circumstances that you would seek support for. Do you have the needed child care? Do you have supporters in your corner? Is your place of employment open to allowing time for study during your lunch time, breaks, and down time? Will you be able to maintain a healthy work/study/life balance to ensure you minimize the possibility of feeling overwhelmed that may cause you to steer from your goals?

Consider this: As adults, you also have the option of pursuing different types of programs including Certificate Programs, Degree programs, Continuing Education Units, and more!

Back to School is a term we hear often, but rarely think to apply to ourselves, as adults. Now is as good a time as any to consider the possibility that 2010 may be the Back to School year for you! It is never too late to achieve the goals we once had and have recently set for ourselves.

Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation - Tarrant County Residents Help Feed Our Kids

2010-06-28T15:01:46Z

During the school year, Texas schools feed more than 2.9 million meals a day, on average. Many of those same children will not have the meals they need during the summer. The Texas Department of Agriculture says that last year only 16% of that number took part in summer feeding programs across the state.

Commissioner Todd Staples wants to change that this year and has issued a challenge to mayors across the state of Texas. Mayor Mike Moncrief (Fort Worth) and Mayor Robert Cluck ( Arlington) have accepted that challenge and have put in place dozens of sites across Tarrant County where kids can eat either breakfast, lunch, supper or snacks, depending on the sites.

The Summer Nutrition Programs provide nutritious meals at no charge to all children age 18 and younger at participating feeding sites. To participate, just show up. You don't need to register or get meal tickets and no one will ask for proof of income or age.

As always, 2-1-1 has all of the feeding sites on their website, or you can go to: http://netx.squaremeals.com/SNP/summerfood/parents/index.html to find the site closest to you.

Launch into an Aerospace Career Today!

2010-06-15T13:33:22Z

With the Dallas/Fort Worth region being home to several of the largest Aerospace companies in the United States, It seems only fitting to explore exciting career opportunities within this industry.

Aerospace includes the research, design, manufacturing and maintenance of aircrafts moving through air and space. Whether it's a jet, helicopter, airplane, or unmanned vehicle this industry produces equipment that can be used for military or civil transport.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to design the F-22 Raptor or assemble the V-22 Osprey?

These high tech aircrafts and many others are just a few examples of Aerospace products created by companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. This industry operates across the globe and is the key to our economies success, keeping our borders secure and inspiring innovative thoughts and ideas.

Many of the employees within Aerospace are approaching retirement causing the industry to face a shortage of skilled labor. With record numbers of "baby boomer" engineer and manufacturing employees approaching retirement the industry suggests there will be plenty of jobs available for our future workforce.

When these employees retire, the industry will face a shortage of skilled labor. With global competition at an all time high, students that excel in math and science should consider the exciting career opportunities within the Aerospace industry.

According to the United States Department of Labor, "The Federal Government traditionally has been the aerospace industry's biggest customer. The vast majority of Government contracts to purchase aerospace equipment are awarded by the Department of Defense."

The Aerospace industry develops products to aid the continuing war on terror. Military aircraft are commonly used to transport troops, equipment and weapons across the world.

More than 184,000 Texans hold jobs in the Aerospace industry while Texas has maintained its leading role as home to almost 2,000 Aerospace companies according to Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Candidates interested in working for Defense related Aerospace companies must meet the following requirements:

· Must be at least 18 years of age

· Have a High School diploma or a GED,

· Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Occupations within the Industry include both manufacturing and professional positions. If you're interested in a manufacturing job in Aerospace, some examples would be:

CNC Machinist, Sheet Metal worker , aircraft structural assembler, machinist, assembler

If you're interested in an engineering position with the Aerospace industry, some examples would be:

Aerospace Engineer: Develop design criteria for defense, aviation and space exploration including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, and completion dates. Aerospace engineers ensure all aerospace products meet the customer's specifications.

Manufacturing Engineer: Apply knowledge of materials and engineering theory and methods to design, integrate, and improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Are you looking for challenge, excitement, a good salary and great benefits, and then the Aerospace engineering field is the perfect fit for you. Companies across the country are looking for bright creative people to design jets and helicopters. How else can you get this up close and personal with a high tech piece of flying machine?

To learn more about the Aerospace industry, check out our video:

Life Sciences: the Career Choice of Super Heroes!

2010-04-12T20:34:41Z

Renee Parker is the Aerospace Cluster Marketing Coordinator for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and a guest blogger for Surviving a Layoff. In Renee's last posting, she discussed the career options in the health care industry, and explored the career opportunities in that field. In this article, Renee takes on the Life Science Industry.

Remember that mega spotlight that Commissioner Gordon used to summon the help of that Caped Crusader, Batman? Well, today that spotlight goes out from doctors and hospitals around the globe to summon the help of the Life Science Industry. As we continue to fight age-old foes like diabetes and cancer, new villains like H1N1 emerge with frightening regularity.

To meet these challenges, the Life Sciences industry includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical research, development and testing. We can learn more about this industry by looking at its definition: any field of science that involves the scientific study of living organisms such as plants, animals, and human beings.

According to the Texas Biotechnology Industry Report from the Texas Governor's office, the Lone star state is nationally ranked in the top 10 for the number of traditional biotechnology companies located in-state as well as the number of life and physical scientists employed. Many life science efforts, including research and testing, are strongly supported by private investors and entrepreneurs. Most of Texas's biotechnology manufacturing establishments are located in the Houston, Dallas- Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio metropolitan areas. Texas is home to over 1,000 traditional biotechnology, biomedical research, and medical manufacturing companies and world class universities and research facilities, employing over 33,500 at a national average annual salary of over $80,400 according to the Texas Biotechnology Industry Report from the Texas Governor's office.

Biotechnology is the process of using living organisms to perform industrial manufacturing. It has been used to produce drugs, synthesize hormones, and manufacture organic products such as milk and dairy. Perhaps one of the most important uses of biotechnology is for treating waste, recycling and cleaning up contaminated industrial sites. The Department of Labor shows many of these occupations as : Bright Outlook Occupations. When you see this symbol, you'll know that DOL expects these occupations to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations.

Occupations within the biotechnology field:

Biological technician, Bioinformatics technician, Bioinformatics scientists, Medical laboratory technicians, biomedical engineer

The pharmaceutical industry is made up of businesses that develop and manufacture drugs and medicine to treat human diseases. According to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas/Fort Worth region currently has more than 460 biomedical technology companies ranging from pharmaceutical companies to startup companies, and approximately 1,100 research, development and testing laboratories.

Occupations within the pharmaceutical industry:

Biochemist, Medical Scientists, Chemical engineers, Chemists, Pharmaceutical sales representatives, Chemical plant operator, Chemical Equipment operator and Microbiologist

Another very important aspect of the Life Sciences field is Medical Research, development and testing. Medical research is defined by Wikipedia as "the basic, applied or translational research conducted to aid and support the body of knowledge in the field of medicine." Research can be divided into two categories: clinical trials which are the evaluation of new treatments for both safety and effectiveness and preclinical research which is all other research that contributes to the development of new treatments. Over the last century the increased lifespan of humans has been directly attributed to the many advances from medical research. Some of which include vaccines that protect people against measles and polio, medications that treats high blood pressure and insulin treatment for diabetes. Research and Development technicians design state of the art equipment and products to meet the needs of scientists across the United States.

Occupations within medical research field include:

Clinical Research Coordinators, Clinical Research technicians, Clinical Data Managers, Medical appliance technicians, Social Science Research Assistants

These careers show that you don't need a Batmobile or superhuman powers to find a cure for cancer, assist in the creation of the next life saving medicine or create medical robotics equipment that can perform surgeries. You just need to consider a career in the Life Sciences industry.

Avoid Wrong Turns on Your Way to Your New Job

2010-03-18T15:26:11Z

Over the next few weeks, Surviving a Layoff will be exploring some of the wrong turns job seekers can take while on the hunt for a new career. During these trying times, looking for work can be even more challenging. Plug in your internal GPS and let's take a spin.

Wrong Turn #1: The more applications I submit, the more job offers I will get.

Many people believe that the key to finding a job is to submit hundreds of applications. Nothing could be further from the truth. An application and resume for a job in human resources should look very different than a job and resume for a job in sales. But I've worked with customers who submit the exact same resume for both jobs. If you'd like a real chance at either job, your resume should be tailored to that specific opening. The employer needs to feel that you've given his company a great deal of thought and generic resumes just don't provide that level of concern. It's a matter of quality over quantity.

Wrong Turn #2: My experience and qualifications are the most important part of an interview.

Your experience and qualifications may have gotten you the interview, but your attitude, body language, and enthusiasm can be a tie-breaker. Many employers want to make sure you'll fit into their team; no one wants a "Debbie Downer" in their organization. So, ask informed questions, make eye contact, and, for goodness sake, smile! Your authenticity may just land you that job.

Wrong Turn #3: Dumbing down my resume will open more doors.

Some job seekers believe that employers might be turned off by advanced degrees or high level positions. Although this perception might have some validity, it would be worse if the employer discovers these omissions after screening the application. Most employers value honesty too much for you to take a chance by omitting key parts of your work life. Think of it this way, many employers do background checks before interviewing for key positions and the last thing either one of you wants are surprises.

A better approach might be to highlight accomplishments that mesh with the job. You can also explain your flexibility and willingness to share knowledge with team members and potential customers.

Next time, we'll look at wrong turns on the web, dealing with being fired from a previous job, and hidden job leads.

What is the Health care Industry?

2010-03-15T17:59:59Z

Renee Parker is the Aerospace Cluster Marketing Coordinator for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and guest blogger for Surviving a Layoff.

Have you ever wanted to be a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, pharmacist or dental hygienist? The healthcare industry is made up of these positions and a variety of others that directly and indirectly serve patients. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the United States, providing diagnostic, rehabilitative and preventive services to clients. The growth of the industry is largely contributed to the fact that people are living longer and requiring a higher level of preventative and long term care. Health care professionals improve the health and well being of individuals all over the world.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, In 2008 Healthcare provided 14.3 million jobs for wage and salary workers. The industry includes a diverse network of health service providers ranging from small private practices, medical laboratories, and surgical hospitals that employ thousands of highly skilled and trained workers. Most workers within healthcare have jobs that require less than 4 years of college education, but health diagnosing and treating practitioners require specialized training, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry is science and technology intensive with a variety of pathways, but most workers obtain only an associates or bachelor's degree.

If you or someone you know has a passion for helping others or is interested in the healthcare industry, there are a variety of positions you can explore. Many of the entry level positions do not require a college degree, making it easier for an interested candidate to move up within the health care industry.

These fields are broad-based, so don't miss all of the career options available. Here are several healthcare sectors to explore:

Entry level positions: Theses positions often don't require a college degree, only a certification that can be obtained in a short time frame. These areas are an excellent place to begin your career in healthcare. Nurse aids (CNA),home health aide, admissions and office staff, patient representatives,customer service representatives, dental assistants, medical assistants,

Clerical positions:

Medical coder, billing specialists, medical transcriptionist, medical assistants, medical records technician

Allied positions; certifications/associate degree:

dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, surgical technician, clinical laboratory technician, diagnostic medical sonographer, nursing assistant, home health care aide, paramedic, massage therapist,pharmacy technician,

Professional positions: These positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a specialized field and a license to practice in that specialty:

Physicians, pediatrician, surgeons, registered nurses, physical therapists, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, social workers,psychologist, chiropractor, dietitian, pharmacist, veterinarian

To explore more healthcare positions go tohttp://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm

10 Questions in 10 Minutes!

2010-03-01T16:26:19Z

Guest blogger Monica Santiago, County Extension Agent for Urban Development with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, writes this month about the importance of participating in the 2010 Census.

This year's census is short, sweet, and to the point! With only 10 questions to answer, you can be a part of some wonderful benefits to your community in just ten minutes!

Here are some benefits to making sure you're counted!

· Does your community need money for development? The federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities every year based, in part, on census data! Census data can be used for writing grant proposals.

· Does your community need more services? Census data is used to determine locations for new retail stores, schools, hospitals, housing developments, and other facilities, such as highways, senior centers, and school lunch programs. Local government uses census data to determine critical social services to implement and funding to provide in your local communities.

· Does your community need effective representation? Census data dictates boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. This data will determine the number of seats each state will have in the US House of Representatives.

· Is your community experiencing severe traffic-related congestion and environmental effects? Census data is used by transportation planners to determine traffic control needs, reduce traffic-related congestion, plan for parking, and develop plans for alternative forms of commuting locally.

Negative impacts of non-participation are numerous, but some include the following:

· Ever wonder why certain areas seem to have more locally elected officials than yours? Problems in redistricting.

· Ever wonder why there are no translators for certain groups in your community? Improper addressing of language barriers - Undercounting of Limited English Proficient (LEP) community members may limit elected officials' ability to secure funding for bilingual and ESL services.

· Ever wonder why your school's student/teacher ratio is so much higher than that of a school one mile away? The undercount of children can result in overcrowding of schools.

When you receive that questionnaire in the mail this March, just remember: I'll answer 10 questions in 10 minutes and make a difference for a lifetime! Let's all yell - Count me In!

Resources: US Census Bureau

Financial Aid for Re-training

2010-02-05T20:24:47Z

Jann Miles is the Director of Strategic Planning for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and is our resident expert for Labor Market Information and Green Jobs.

Jann's previous article, Making the Right Choice, begins the discussion concerning up-grading your skills for your career.

Pell Grants are available to unemployed individuals who would like to upgrade their current skills or change occupations. Currently, Pell grants are $5, 350 per academic year. This means two semesters so if you get a Pell grant for the fall and spring semester, you will need to find other financial aid to also attend a summer session. Pell grants can pay for the following:

Tuition and fees normally assessed;
Books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses;
Living expenses such as room and board; and
An allowance for costs expected to be incurred for dependent care for a student with dependents.

You may not be sure whether you are eligible to receive financial aid for school. I suggest if go online and fill out the Free Application for Student Federal Aid, commonly referred to as FASFA. The application will walk you through the steps. One thing you might not be familiar with is the school codes. Each school has a code to insert on the form. There is a listing on the application of school codes or you can go to any school's financial aid web-site which will also display that school's code. These web-sites have great information. Remember, nobody knows more about student financial aid that the colleges or universities. They always have financial aid experts that will sit down with you and help direct you through this process. They are a great resource. The links for the colleges and universities listed below take you directly to their financial aid page. Also keep in mind that most colleges and universities have scholarships available only to their students, SO ASK about them.

Ø Tarrant County College

Ø University of Texas at Arlington

Ø Texas Wesleyn University

Ø University of North Texas

Finally, remember that you need to do your research before you finalize your choices. Some things to check:

Ø Is the institution accredited? This means that your degree is recognized by the state.

Ø Is the institution PELL grant eligible? If it is not, that means you cannot get Federal Student Aid.

Ø Here is a Q & A for unemployed individuals on federal student aid that's got great information. This link is sponsored by the Department of Labor and the Department of Education and provides and email and phone number for further questions.

Ø As stated in my last article, interview employers in the occupational areas in which you are seeking training and ask them which institutions they tend to hire from in your area.

Texas Workforce Commission Press Release on WOTC

2010-02-04T16:26:29Z

Texas Workforce Press Release

The Texas Workforce Commission released some excellent information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit:

CONTACT: Ann Hatchitt

DATE: February 3, 2010 PHONE: (512) 463-8556

TWC Certifies $219 Million in Federal Tax Credits for Texas Employers

Agency urges more employers to take advantage of tax savings

AUSTIN - Texas employers can reap substantial savings on their federal business income taxes by taking advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) assisted businesses by certifying nearly $219 million in potential tax savings, available to Texas employers who hire from qualified targeted populations and apply for certification within 28 days of their start date.

"As tax season is upon us, we want employers to take note and remember to take advantage of these savings this year," said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken.

Although TWC identified millions in savings for Texas employers, millions went unclaimed because employers did not apply for the credit on their eligible, newly hired workers. Fewer than 5 percent of Texas' more than 440,000 employers took advantage of WOTC in FY 2009.

WOTC is designed to encourage employers to hire new employees from targeted groups of qualified job seekers who may face barriers to employment.

Employers can save up to $2,400 per qualifying employee by hiring from these groups:

· Unemployed veterans*

· Disconnected youth*

· Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients

· Ex-felons

· Designated community residents

· Vocational rehabilitation referrals

· Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients (formerly known as food stamps).

· Veterans receiving SNAP benefits

· Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients

Employers can save up to $4,800 for hiring:

· Disabled veterans

Employers can save up to $9,000 for hiring:

· Long-term family assistance (TANF) benefit recipients

Employers can save up to $1,200 for hiring:

· Summer youth from empowerment zones or renewal counties

*new group added in 2009

"Our company saved $114,000 on our federal income taxes last year by hiring 85 qualifying employees to work in our restaurants," said Joseph Hicks, a certified public accountant for Wright Foods.

In 2009, two new groups were added to the list of those who qualify under the WOTC program. Veterans receiving unemployment benefits and 16- to 24-year olds who have not been regularly employed or attending school for at least six months prior to being hired are now included in the list of populations which qualify an employer for the tax credit.

Applications for the credits can be submitted year-round to TWC's WOTC Unit for certification. Within each target population, there are specific eligibility requirements, which TWC will verify before issuing the certifications.

All applications must be postmarked no later than 28 days from the qualifying worker's start date. For more information employers may contact TWC's WOTC Unit at 1-800-695-6879 or visit the TWC Web site: www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/wotc/wotc.html.

Forms to assist you in applying for WOTC:

Employer Information for Work Opportunity Tax Credit.pdf

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Brochure.pdf

IRS Form 8850 for WOTC.pdf

WOTC ETA Form 9061 (required for Youth and Vets).pdf

Instructions for IRS Form 8850.pdf

How to Calculate the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.pdf

Long-Term Family Assistance Recipients who began work after December 31, 2006 and before September 1, 2011, can earn their employers up to $9,000 if they are a member of a family:

that received TANF for at least 18 consecutive months before the hire date: or
whose TANF eligibility under federal or state law expired after August 5, 1997 (for applicants hired within two years after their eligibility expired); or
that received TANF for at least 18 months, beginning after August 5, 1997, and is hired not more than two years after that 18-month period.

For more information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid State Tax Refund, please call the Texas Workforce Commission WOTC Unit at 1-800-695-6879.

Learning More About FEMA

2010-01-29T17:33:18Z

The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. FEMA can trace its beginnings to the Congressional Act of 1803. This act, generally considered the first piece of disaster legislation, provided assistance to a New Hampshire town following an extensive fire. In the century that followed, ad hoc legislation was passed more than 100 times in response to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.

Over the next century, emergency and disaster activities were extremely fragmented. When hazards associated with nuclear power plants and the transportation of hazardous substances were added to natural disasters, more than 100 federal agencies were involved in some aspect of disasters, hazards and emergencies. Many parallel programs and policies existed at the state and local level, compounding the complexity of federal disaster relief efforts. The National Governor's Association sought to decrease the many agencies with which state and local governments were forced work. They asked President Jimmy Carter to centralize federal emergency functions. President Carter's 1979 executive order merged many of the separate disaster-related responsibilities into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Joe M. Allbaugh as the director of FEMA. Within months, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th focused the agency on issues of national preparedness and homeland security, and tested the agency in unprecedented ways. The agency coordinated its activities with the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, and FEMA's Office of National Preparedness was given responsibility for helping to ensure that the nation's first responders were trained and equipped to deal with weapons of mass destruction.

On October 4, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act. The act significantly reorganized FEMA, provided it substantial new authority to remedy gaps that became apparent in the response to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, and included a more robust preparedness mission for FEMA.

FEMA has more than 3,700 full time employees. They work at FEMA headquarters in Washington D.C., and at regional and area offices across the country. The regional office in Denton services residents in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas. This office houses over 100 full-time staff and can mobilize hundreds more when disaster strikes.

Spotlight on Jobs at FEMA

Public Assistance Coordinator -
Public Assistance Coordinators (PACs) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play an important role in making life easier for state and local governments that are applying for disaster assistance. They are the conduit for the applicant and FEMA's Public Assistance Program.

PACs serve as customer service representatives on Public Assistance (PA) matters. They help out by:

·         Conducting meetings with applicants to answer questions about the PA program and find what the applicant's significant needs may be;

·         Working with the applicant to develop projects;

·         Obtaining technical assistance if required for the project;

·         Reviewing projects for compliance with laws, regulations and policies;

·         Discussing special considerations such as insurance, and floodplain management issues; and

·         Ensuring that the applicant's case management file is maintained.

A Public Assistance Coordinator earns a starting salary of approximately $53,000 a year.

Requirements for this job include:

Specialized Experience Requirements: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Specialized experience is described as one year of experience assisting in the areas of development and analysis of policies, procedures, and guidance required for the effective coordination, development, and implementation of hazard mitigation program objectives.

Making the Right Choice

2010-01-15T17:22:14Z

Jann Miles is the Director of Strategic Planning for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and is our resident expert for Labor Market Information and Green Jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has just issued the 2010-2011 Edition of their Occupational Outlook Handbook. As you're looking for employment, I suggest you use the book (or web-site) to review the occupations for which you are applying. The handbook provides job openings forecasts, training and education requirements, earnings expectations, and work environment information.

If you're considering up-grading your skills, this is the first place I would look to get a national feel for occupational demand and training required. This site also does a nice job of providing links to similar jobs that are both at the same professional level and above. At this site, there are links to individual state's labor market information so that you can compare the demand for an occupation within a particular state.

If you've been looking for a while and are considering an occupational change or training, I suggest you look only at the nature of work section first. Read the nature of the work section and be very truthful with yourself as to whether you could see yourself doing this occupation in the settings described. Spend some time on this and really try to visualize yourself in the occupation.

Why is this important? Because there is nothing worse than spending time getting the training and knowledge needed for a job, go through the employment process, only to find out you hate every minute of the time you are at work.

I know, I know. Right now you're thinking that you'll do anything or get the training for any field that's hiring; but in the long run, you will be further behind. We've all heard the story about the lawyer who found out he hated his job because he didn't like conflict, but loved the research aspect of law which was what he did in law school.

Additionally, there may be an aspect of an occupation-a niche-that you fit into that's not traditional for the occupation. For instance, you may love medicine but not like patients. I knew a nurse like this. She was a great researcher and teacher. She found her place teaching nursing.

Once you found an occupation you think you may want to follow, investigate it. Give the place you spend most of your day as much consideration as buying a car. Talk to people in the field about the occupation's good and bad aspects; research the occupation through other sources, read technical manuals or journals for the field. Get a feel for whether the information excites or interests you. This is a key ingredient to success in a field-and in landing a job. If you find something you think you'll love, the next step is putting together a plan to get there. We'll discussing planning in a future article.

COBRA Get A Second Chance!

2010-01-04T20:14:31Z

In past posts, the team at Surviving a Layoff in Tarrant County has discussed changes to COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In early December, many of our readers were concerned that eligibility for this assistance for health care coverage would end at the end of December 2009. Good news arrived on December 19, 2009, as Congress passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (2010 DOD Act).

COBRA has long been an option that gives workers who lose their jobs, and thus their health benefits, the right to purchase group health coverage provided by their plan. If the employer continues to offer a group health plan, the employee and their family can keep that group health coverage for up to 18 months by paying group rates. Unfortunately, these rates were often too high for an unemployed individual to pay, causing many to conclude that the benefit was underutilized.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) sought to alleviate some of the financial burden by providing premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under COBRA. Under ARRA, eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. This provision was time-limited and was set to expire on 12-31-09. This would have meant that anyone laid-off after 12-31-09 would have to pay the entire cost for this assistance to health coverage.

On December 21, 2009, Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, released the following statement:

"I am pleased Congress has acted and the President has signed the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Act. The act extends the eligibility period for the COBRA premium reduction for an additional two months (through Feb. 28, 2010) and the maximum period for receiving the subsidy for an additional six months (from nine to 15 months). Millions of unemployed Americans and their families will be better able to afford and keep their health benefit coverage because of this new law.

Individuals who had reached the end of the reduced premium period before the legislation extended it to 15 months will have additional time to pay the reduced premiums related to the extension. To continue their coverage they must pay the 35% of premium costs by (60 days after date of enactment) or, if later, 30 days after notice of the extension is provided by their plan administrator."

This is great news for those people who are laid off during the 1^st two months of 2010 and for those who were approaching the end of the original nine months of coverage. Language in this bill described eligibility for this subsidy as individual who:

· has a qualifying event for continuation coverage under COBRA or a State law that provides comparable continuation coverage (for example, so-called "mini-COBRA" laws) that is the employee's involuntary termination at any point from September 1, 2008 through February 28, 2010; and

· elects COBRA coverage timely.

For more information on this new coverage, go to: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

You - Proactive or Reactive?

2010-01-04T16:29:11Z

"Access Tarrant's Urban Scene" blog written by

Mónica Santiago - County Extension Agent for Urban Development

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

2010 is the year to become the protagonist in your own life! It's time to be proactive and work toward realizing your dreams! Dr. Stephen Cover has given us quite a roadmap in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and I'll be providing a brief introduction to some of his concepts throughout the year. Today, we'll focus on Habit Number One - Being Proactive!

Becoming "proactive" in your life is the first of three habits that develop your ability to enhance and create opportunities to celebrate your "Private Victories". Our inherent ability to be effective in life is directly related to our willingness and ability to become self-aware. As we embark on this journey throughout the year, I want to begin with some discussion on the manifestation of "proactivity". Many of you may believe that "proactivity" is synonymous with the practice of taking initiative. However, initiative is only a component, rather than a definition. Those who are effective in life begin with the basic work of realizing, understanding, accepting, and putting into practice their responsibility to practice their freedom of choice. These proactive individuals choose to behave according to their own decisions, rather than according to the existing circumstances that are beyond their control.

Proactive individuals accept the responsibility to behave according to conscious choices made without blaming circumstances and conditions. On the contrary, "reactive" individuals are governed by the uncontrollable environments that surround them; physical, social, and more. So, perhaps you'd like to incorporate some of these principles into your own lives:

 Take Initiative: Create favorable circumstances and don't wait for them to present themselves.

 Act or Be Acted Upon: Rather than simply "facing reality" and accepting defeat, choose to also accept the responsibility to choose a positive response to that reality.

 Listen to Your Language: Have more "choose to" moments than "have to" moments. Change "If only I had..." to "I can be more..."

 Increase Circle of Influence/Decrease Circle of Concern: Focus on what you have direct control of, rather than other people, problems, and circumstances that are beyond your control.

 Admit and Correct Mistakes: They won't have any more power over you!

 Make & Keep Commitments to Yourself: Make a promise to yourself and keep it! Set a goal and achieve it!

Be prepared for the inevitable; what others may perceive. Just remember: Being "proactive" is not synonymous with being aggressive, but does embody the characteristics of an intelligent individual who is driven by values, can read their reality, and can analyze/determine their own areas of need.

Don't wait for opportunity to come knocking. Draw your own door. Then... walk right on through!

There IS Life After TDCJ

2009-12-04T21:21:57Z

I've known our most recent guest blogger, Dorice Alves, for many years. She is currently a Project RIO Career Consultant, working with ex-offenders to help them find meaningful jobs. Dorice has over 19 years experience working in employment and training. She started in the Youth Program, transitioned to Dislocated Worker (when Lockheed laid off 33,000 individuals), worked with low income adults in our workforce programs and did job search workshops for both laid off individuals and ex-offenders. She enjoys using the variety of her experience to her customer's advantage, directing them to the programs and community agencies for services that will best help them reach their career goals. I know you'll find her words of wisdom meaningful and on target!

If you are a job seeker with bumps and bruises on your background, consider yourself fortunate to be living in Tarrant County. In November 2005, the Tarrant County Commissioners addressed the issue of ensuring community safety while reducing recidivism by approving the development of the Tarrant County Reentry Council. In July 2006, the Council produced its initial position paper which stated in part that "the lack of education, unmet health needs and the lack of services and support upon release, adversely impacts the reentry process and are considered obstacles".

In Tarrant County in 2006, of 2,127 new parolees, 27.2% (577) were re-incarcerated. Inevitably with this rate of recidivism, community safety and society in general will suffer unless provisions are made to assist ex-offenders with their transition back into the community.

What Does This Mean FOR Me

It means you are not alone. The Commissioners agreed to fund positions necessary to manage re-entry services. In addition, the Tarrant County Reentry Council adopted these following measures as goals:

Linking reentry program participants to sustainable employment through effective training, education and employer development thereby meeting offender, community and employer needs;

Assessing the availability of external funding sources for reentry programs and projects;

Attaining external funding for reentry programming and projects;

Linking reentry program participants to adequate transitional housing;

Linking reentry program participants to mental health treatment and services;

Linking reentry program participants to substance abuse treatment and services;
Educating the general public regarding the significance of, and need for, strategies and programs that address the needs of persons in reentry.

RESOURCES

There are a number of resources available to Tarrant County job seekers with backgrounds:

Workforce Network Inc. Project RIO - eligibility is based on an ex-offender currently being on parole from TDCJ or State Jail or being within one year of their discharge date. For address and telephone information, select Location at the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County website at http://www.workforcesolutions.net/.

Texas Reentry Services offers a comprehensive approach to reentry services to better prepare ex-offenders for their return to society. TXRS believes a well-rounded education and support network is imperative to the well-being and continued freedom of their clients and offers their services to customers with misdemeanors, Federal felonies and others who may not meet the Project RIO eligibility criteria. You can get more information at their website, http://www.txrs.org/Texas_ReEntry_Services.html.

Veteran Services are offered at all workforce centers and are available to assist veterans with ex-offender status.

The Project W.I.S.H. Program offers job preparation and placement activities to homeless individuals and families. https://sites.google.com/site/projectwishtarrantcounty/about-wish

JOB SEARCH WEBSITES

Several websites have been developed specifically to address the needs of the job seekers with background barriers. They include:

·         www.hardtohire.com

·         www.criminalbackgroundjobshelp.com

·         www.exoffenderreentry.com

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOU

Nationally, the sheer numbers of individuals with backgrounds is overwhelming. Obviously, for society to grow and overcome the present economic slump, it is imperative that these individuals become employed and contribute to society instead of draining dwindling resources. As a job seeker, it is your job to prepare yourself. The workforce centers, TXRS and Project Wish teach job search, application and interviewing skills. Complete your education and participate in skill trainings. Get involved - the Reentry Council Advisory Council meetings are open to the public. http://www.tarrantcounty.com/etcri/site/default.asp.

Becoming re-employed is possible and probable. There is considerable competition for current job openings, but with preparation and persistence, your potential is unlimited.

Holiday Dribble

2009-12-04T20:16:42Z

"Access Tarrant's Urban Scene" blog written by

Mónica Santiago - County Extension Agent for Urban Development

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Turkey, dressings, carols, guests, and fun. Yes....it is that time of the year! We laugh, we play, open gifts, share memories, seek create new ones, and use enough water to fill up a 30' by 50' swimming pool! That's right! According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a traditional turkey meal for a family of eight will use approximately 42,000 gallons of water in food growth and preparation. When you factor in clean up (dishwaters, showers, toilets, and other fixtures used more during these times and by more people), the figure steadily increases. I am sure you have each experienced the reality of this as you prepare to pay higher utility bills after a busy holiday season.

Because approximately 60% of the water used in urban areas originates from groundwater reserves, our individual choices greatly impact the water realities for many around us....our neighbors! As a matter of fact, the EPA reports that a typical American uses nearly twice as many gallons of water per day as the average European (101 gallons here, versus 53 gallons in Europe) and the population of the North Texas region is expected to double in the next fifty years, making it imperative to conserve water and help stretch this very valuable resource that we cannot live without! Part of contributing as a community member is to participate in activities that conserve a much needed resource for us all - water! Let's see some ways you can contribute to your community's livelihood!

In Your Kitchen:

· Only run a FULL load in the dishwasher.

· Scrape scraps of food into the garbage pail or the compost pile, rather than rinsing into the garbage disposal.

· Don't leave the water running if washing dishes by hand. (By the way, energy efficient dishwashers use an average of 4-7 gallons of water, while washing by hand uses 16-25 gallons

In Your Bathroom:

· Fix leaky faucets and toilets. (A faucet that leaks 60 drips per minutes wastes approximately 259 gallons of water per month

· Replace a bath with a shower and then cut down on the time spent in the shower. (This will save approximately 1,460 gallons of water per year per person in the household. This will equal a savings of just under 6,000 gallons of water saved per year for a family of four.)

· Turn off the faucet as you brush your teeth, shave, etc.

Outside Your Home:

· Don't water between 10 AM and 6 PM. It minimizes the occurrence of evaporation.

· Use a rain sensor or turn your system off during and after a rain. Mother Nature has already taken care of the work for you!

· Fix leaks and faulty sprinkler heads, while ensuring that they are properly watering your lawn and not any concrete surfaces.

· Adjust settings considering changes in the weather.

· Cut your lawn higher to increase its ability to hold moisture for a greater period of time.

· Use native plants and grasses that are naturally more resistant to drought and require less water.

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list, but it is a start; one that is necessary if we are going to become part of the solution rather than a contributor to the problem of dwindling water supplies.

For more detailed information on ways to conserve water, visit the Texas AgriLife Urban Solutions web page at http://urbansolutionscenter.tamu.edu/water-conservation-practices.aspx

Other Resources:

American Water Works Association