APSE Releases White Paper on Establishing a National Employment First Agenda

Employment First means making employment in competitive-wage, integrated, community businesses the priority, or first option, for individuals receiving taxpayer funded services.

Click here to read it.

John Windsor's Plan To Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

John Windsor is using a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to purchase employment services from Jessica Kuehn (both are pictured above).

PASS gives John the opportunity to set aside resources to use towards a work goal. John's goal is to find a new career--for the next 6 months, he and Jessica will explore Morgantown, spending time at a variety of businesses, gathering enough information for John to choose a career path. John chose Jessica to assist him because she is a life-long resident of Morgantown with extensive community connections.

John would like to find a career that would allow him to substantially contribute to a workplace, allow for the completion of a variety of daily work tasks, and also allow room for career growth.

To Be Continued...(Thanks John and Jessica!)

$178,808,000 (That's $178 Million!) Available Yearly For WV Economic Development

In December 2008, there were 25,544 individuals in West Virginia receiving both SSI and SSDI benefits. These individuals have "Perfect Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Potential", meaning that they could write a PASS today. The average PASS is $7000/year, which equals approximately $179 Million a year that, once approved by the Social Security Administration, goes directly to job seekers for use towards a work goal.

PASSes allow individuals to set aside resources--resources usually means money and this money can be used to buy things that will help individuals work, things like equipment and tools, transportation, clothing, employment supports, or supplies needed to start a business. Click here to see how the Social Security Administration describes the PASS. Click here to listen to Molly Sullivan, of Griffin-Hammis Associates, talk about the PASS.

PASSes have also been discussed as one indicator of self-determination for individuals using service systems.

PASS is a very powerful tool : it is controlled by the job seeker and can be used as a targeted and localized form of economic development, used in much the same manner as a microloan.

WV's VR Policy Related to Self-Employment

I just clicked on the link to . . . WV's VR Policy Related to Self-Employment and was wondering if "the Division" is the West Virginia DRS (Division of Rehabilitative Services)?

The "policy" stated that . . .

"Self employment is a vocational option which may be considered as one of an array of employment choices available to the client and the Rehabilitation Counselor. If self employment is to be the placement of choice, the decision needs to be made as early as possible in the rehabilitation process. Active participation by both the Rehabilitation Counselor and the client are extremely critical in this decision. Self employment is a more viable employment goal today than even a few years ago. Because of the advancements in electronics and computers, new opportunities are available for individuals with disabilities to start a small business in West Virginia. However, owing to the very challenging nature of self employment, both advantages and disadvantages should be carefully considered."

It appears that one of several nuts about to be cracked is broadband access to rural West Virginia residents (or even small community residents). The other is employers, or companies, who are transitioning into telework options for their employees. This would be a huge opportunity for all job seekers in WV.

Satellite broadband and telework may be finally arriving at this time and place.

Could be some very good things are about to happen.

Medical Coding employment at home via telework

Just talked to a friend who has been working at the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) General Hospital since December in patient accounts department. He said that there is a real demand for medical billing and coding specialists. The training is being provided by CAMC for qualified candidates. Entry level positions require no previous experience or certification. Most hospitals and doctor's offices require both. Due to the demand, not only is there the opportunity to start without prior training or experience, but the possibility of future employment at home via telework over the internet.

Stay tuned . . .

Entry Level MEDICAL BILLING and CODING Training Available

United Career Services - Charleston, WV

Are you looking for a meaningful job? Do you like helping others? Do you have an interest in health and medicine? Enjoy the healthcare field but don't like the hands-on clinical aspect Are detail oriented and meticulous when it comes to their work Know the principles of the computer and how to find answers to problems Would you like to enter a career in an expanding field? If you answered 'yes' to five or more of these questions, then billing and coding might be the right career choice for you. Medical billing and coding specialists work for practicing physicians and licensed healthcare practitioners in small to large group practices, dental offices, pharmacies, nursing homes, mdical care facilities and clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations...

Welcome!

Welcome to Job Squad's Blog! Please join the Community Economic Development Program in a dialogue about supporting West Virginians to get what they want out of work. We need your help! Talk with us about our work and your needs.