NYC VESID NEWSLETTER

Winter 2008
Volume 1, Issue 2

1 Stop 2 Success

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MARKETING NEWS 
SUCCESS STORY
VENDOR FAIR
PLACEMENT NEWS
HARRIS SELECTORY
APPRENTICESHIPS
CUNY PROJECT

Marketing News

    Congratulations to Arnold Dorin who is now the Regional Marketing Coordinator in NYC.
    The marketing unit has been busy developing employer contacts in government and private industry.
    Arnold Dorin, Rachel Astalos, and Maureen Bobrivnicky met with 15 Northeast Regional Managers of the IRS Tax Advocate Office.  As a service, we made a presentation regarding disability awareness and job accommodations.  In addition, we explained the Federal Schedule A process of hiring individuals with disabilities. We shared resumes of qualified job seekers with the Manhattan manager in order to help him fill positions. As a result, one of our consumers is in the process of being hired. We expect to be making a similar presentation to a group of Human Resource Mangers from several federal agencies early next year.
     Rachel Astalos and Arnold Dorin presented at a meeting of the New York City Employee Assistance Program.  We explained how VESID can provide services to assist in the retaining of incumbent workers who are having job difficulties related to their disabilities. This might include job coaching or help in assessing the need for job accommodations. We also discussed how they might use the 55A program as another means of helping workers to keep their jobs.
    The marketing unit has recently begun working closely with the vocational rehabilitation unit of the Veterans Administration.  In Manhattan, we are starting a pilot project in which counselors from this unit will be referring 10 trained veterans, with service related disabilities to VESID for job placement services. Through this partnership we were invited to share a table at the Veterans Job Fair held at the Jacob Javits Center.  We had the opportunity to meet with several employers whose contact information was shared with the placement unit.
    During the month of October, the marketing unit attended, sponsored, and participated in many events acknowledging National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). N.Y.C. VESID hosted a NDEAM breakfast which was attended by 130 people.
We honored 10 employers for their proactive hiring of consumers.  In addition, two special awards were given.  Sandy Hillburn former IES1 from The Bronx VESID was given The Distinguished Service Award. Commissioner Matt Sapolin was awarded the Mo Fong Rigley Hein award for his efforts in promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities.
    Manhattan VESID exhibited at two events, "Raising Disability Awareness on Wall Street" sponsored by Merrill Lynch and the NYC Bridge and Tunnel Authority. At both events we had the opportunity to meet employers and employees and we plan to build upon and enhance these contacts.
    In addition, we worked on the Mayor’s Office Disability Mentoring Day. Rachel Astalos chaired the Mentee Committee. Through her efforts she was instrumental in recruiting 140 individuals who were mentored on that day.
    We continue to do outreach in the community and have made presentations at the Midtown Public Library, Beth Israel Hospital, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) in Harlem and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Arnold Dorin and Rachel Astalos chair the N.Y.C. Placement Consortium. At our September meeting we discussed issues regarding employment of veterans with disabilities.
    At our last meeting held in December at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society several employers made presentations related to job searching.

 

Left to Right: Harry Reis,
Maureen Bobrivnicky,
Arnold Dorin, and Rachel Astalos

 

VESID Success Story: Lindberg Rose

    In 2004, Lindberg Rose came to VESID for help in obtaining employment. At the time he was homeless, without direction, and ready to give up on himself.
    He had previously worked for seven years at the phone company, as a business service representative. When he lost his job his world collapsed and he was uncertain as to how he was going to rebuild his life.
    Lindberg met with a VESID placement counselor, Carol Ann Antunes, who immediately helped him create a resume. He met with her weekly, and together they contacted employers and sent out resumes.  It was learned that the information on his rap sheet was incorrect.  The Legal Action Center assisted in correcting the information and removing this barrier to employment.
    In May of 2005, Mr. Rose was offered a temporary position as a staff assistant for SUNY Downstate Hospital, where he worked in the registration department. He proved to be a valuable worker and was offered a permanent position in January of 2006. His salary started at $32,000 with full benefits. He hopes to use their tuition reimbursement program to further his education.
    He feels that the job has given him a sense of self respect, gratitude, independence and stability. You can not put a price tag on that!

 

VESID VENDOR FAIR:
Wednesday, Jan. 23
10:30AM – 12PM
Manhattan VESID:
116 West 32nd Street

 

Vendor Fair: January 23, 2008

    Manhattan VESID located at 116 West 32nd Street will be hosting a vendor fair on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 10:30 AM to noon. A snow date has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 30th.
    We have invited representatives of training facilities that have recently become vendors, as well as of familiar schools that offer new programs.  Some of the schools that will be represented include those that offer classes in hair dressing, personal training, fashion design, and security. Other schools represented provide training in driving, refrigeration, baking and computer applications.

 

Placement News

    The VESID Placement Unit has a new home on the 7th floor. Carol Ann Antunes and Joan Smith are meeting with consumers in their new offices.
    Our placement counselors have been busy working to place consumers in their respective goals. Employers are contacting the unit with orders and some of the jobs filled to date are as drivers, maintenance workers, file clerks and social service personnel. . We have several effective Fast Track placement programs with community programs, where placement ready consumers are referred directly to the VESID placement unit for expeditious services. We hope to expand this capacity with additional agencies.
    In early 2008, Carol Ann Antunes will be attending the Offender Workforce Development Specialist Training, sponsored through the US Court system. This will enhance her knowledge and ability to work effectively with ex-offenders and will hopefully result in more job placement successes.
    Now that the construction is over, we will be scheduling our Performance Based Placement providers to come in on a regular basis and meet with consumers in the designated office. Our hope is to initiate groups including a job hunt club. We are planning a series of workshops on job seeking skills including completing applications, both manually and electronically, developing resumes and cover letters, and preparation for interviews. We have been told by several employers that candidates need to be better prepared for job seeking. These same employers have expressed an interest in coming to our workshops to assist with mock interviewing and soft skill development.

 

Harris Selectory

    Our office is participating in a statewide pilot project to introduce the use of the Harris Selectory database. This is an online Dun and Bradstreet industrial directory of New York State employers.  
There are many benefits to using this database in assisting to identify employers for effective job development opportunities.
    There are several parts to the pilot. We will identify occupations, employers and industries where our consumers have been successfully placed. We will be ableto contact these employers in the future to expand placement opportunities.
    We are building a database of all the NDEAM award winners from the last several years. This will enable us to identify those employers who have committed themselves to hiring individuals withdisabilities.  In addition, we can search a specific industry and identify employers that can betargeted in our placement efforts.  Our marketing team  within the office is using this information and find it to be a useful tool in job development and placement.
    If anyone is interested in reviewing the database please contact Arnold Dorin or Rachel Astalos.

 

 

CUNY Project

    VESID has developed a new partnership with City University of New York.  The aim of the project is to coordinate a streamlined method of referring students with disabilities for vocational services. The CUNY-VESID partnership will enable students to access VESID services and improve future vocational outcomes. The CUNY-VESID program will enable counselors from each college to work with a VESID liaison to coordinate the referral and delivery of services.
    We are in the process of establishing a comprehensive training program for newly hired CUNY counselors to insure that they are familiar with VESID policy and procedure in the delivery of service processes.

 

 

Apprenticeships

    Apprenticeship training is a good way to learn a new skill while earning an income. 
There should be a written agreement between an apprentice and the employer which acknowledges their joint commitment to the training process. Typically in an apprenticeship, an individual learns a skill through both practical, paid work experience, and intensive classroom training of related technical information. Apprenticeships can last from 1 to 6 years. Currently two unions in New York City are recruiting for apprenticeships, one for bricklayers and the other for cement and concrete workers.

ForBRICKLAYERS the recruitment is taking place through February 29, 2008. Applications will be available at the International Masonry Institute 12-07 44th Avenue Long Island City on the last Friday of each month. Applicants must be present by 8:00AM.

The requirements for bricklayers are:

- Be at least 18 years old
- Possess sufficient reading and math skills with high school diploma or GED preferred
- Applicants accepted must complete a 12 week training course
- Be physically able to work

For further information, contact (718) 706-9294.

ForCEMENT AND CONCRETE WORKERS the recruitment takes place through March 24, 2008 from 8:00AM to Noon, on the following Mondays, 1/28, 2/25, and 3/24 at 29-18 35th Avenue.

The requirements for cement and concrete workers are:

- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least a 10th grade education
- Be able to read and understand course material
- Be physically able to work

For further information, contact (718) 392-6970. 

 

Hiring Good People is Good Business

Each year, VESID assists hundreds of businesses in hiring qualified and dependable employees. NYS VESID partners with workforce development groups, Chambers of Commerce, and human resource groups to stay abreast of local business trends and industry hiring needs. We offer a no cost source for quality staff. For more information on financial incentives and tax credits available to businesses hiring qualified individuals in:

Manhattan: Rachel Astalos
(212) 967-3081

Brooklyn: Maureen Bobrovnicky
(718) 722-6789

Queens: Harry Reis
(718) 760-8705

Staten Island/Bronx: Arnold Dorin
(212) 967-2714

 

VESID Placement Unit Jobs Developed

Francis P: Meals on Wheels - $11/hour
Customer Service

Sontashia M: Burnside Clinic - $13/hour
Medical Assistant

Alan E: VA - Compensated Work Therapy - $10/hour

Constance B: Good Temps – $15/hour
Admin. Assistant

Gary B: Marbel Company - $10/hour
Maintenance

Brian F: Conserve Electric Company - $600 with commission
Sales

Carlos G: The Village - $750/week
Recreational Therapist
 
Aaron J: West Side Federation for Seniors - $320/week
Porter

Earlene J: Happy Care - $320/week
Taxi Driver

Roy J: Delivery Mngt. - $450/week
Delivery Person

Julius M: Double Bind Trucking - $350/week
Truck Helper

Michael M: Superior and Mechanical - $25/hour
Plumber

David P: ACS - $360/week
Porter

Bruce R: 1-800 Flowers - $9/hour
Driver

Rahim W: TGI Fridays - $12.50/hour
Cook

Angelia W: Volunteers of America - $9/hour
Cook

Charles T: Gershwin Hotel - $11/hour
Maintenance

Laura F: Container Group - $15/hour
Accountant

 

NYC VESID OFFICES

Manhattan
116 West 32nd Street
6th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 630-2300

Brooklyn
55 Hanson Place
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel: (718) 722-6700

Bronx
1215 Zerega Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
Tel: (718) 931-3500

Queens
1 Lefrak Plaza
20th Floor
Corona, NY 11368
Tel: (718) 271-8315

Staten Island
1139 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10305
Tel: (718) 816-4800

Harlem
163 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
Tel: (212) 961-4420

 

Contact: Rachel Astalos, Editor
Tel: (212) 967-3081
rastalos@mail.nysed.gov

Contributions by:
Carol Ann Antunes
Arnold Dorin
Christopher Pope
Chanpreet Singh

For alternate formats or to receive newsletter electronically, contact Joan Lindemann at jlindema@mail.nysed.gov

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  Visit us at:
  www.vesid.nysed.gov

 

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