TRUSTEE PROGRAMS

  GED PROGRAM

  Calumet Township Trustee Mary Elgin, a strong advocate of education and training for Calumet Township clients require participants to pursue marketable job skills and formal education.

  The Calumet Township Trustee's Office under the leadership of Trustee Elgin, requires by policy and law that every opportunity be afforded to Calumet Township clients to increase and enhance employment possibilities.

  The Calumet Township Trustee's Office understands the importance of educational training in order to break the cycle of poverty which has plagued this community.

  The expanding services at the Calumet Township Trustee's Office include GED classes which provide convenience, oversight and follow-up through the Job Search Department.

  The Calumet Township Trustee's Office provides:

•  Classroom space

•  Classes are conducted twice a week Monday/Wednesday Tuesday/Thursday

•  Payment for registration/examination fees

•  Qualified Gary Community School Corporation instructors

The General Educational Development (GED) test is a national examination developed by the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education. The credentials received for passing the test is widely recognized by colleges, training schools and employers as equivalent to a high school diploma. While the GED test measures skills and knowledge normally acquired in four years of high school, much of what you have learned informally or through other types of training can help you pass the test. The GED test is available in English, French and Spanish and on audio-cassette, in Braille and in large print.

The GED test consists of five examinations in the areas of writing skills, social studies, science, literature and the arts, and mathematics. On all five tests, you are expected to demonstrate the ability to think about many issues. You also

are tested on knowledge and skills you have acquired from life experiences, television, radio, books and the newspapers, consumer products and advertising.

ELIGIBILITY

•  18 years of age of older

•  Withdrawn from regular day school

•  Indiana resident for at least 30 days

•  Picture ID prior to testing

GED SCORES

  To find out what you need to pass the test, contact your local GED testing center. However, you must keep two scores in mind. One score represents the minimum score you must get on each test. For example, if your state requires minimum scores of 40, you must get at least 40 points on every test. Additionally, you must meet the requirements of a minimum average score on all five tests. For example, if your state requires a minimum average score of 45, you must get a total of 225 points to pass. The two scores together, the minimum score and the minimum average score, determines whether you pass or fail the GED test.

RE-TESTING

  You are allowed to retake some or all of the tests. Again, the regulation governing the number of times that you may retake the tests and the time you must wait before retaking them are set by your state, province or territory. Some states require you to take a review class or to study on your own for a certain amount of time before taking the test again.

TESTING PREPARATION

  Many libraries, community colleges, adult education centers, churches and other institutions offer GED preparation classes. Some television stations broadcast classes to prepare people for the test. If you cannot find a GED preparation class locally, contact the director of adult education in your state, province or territory or call the GED Hotline (800-62-MY-GED). This hotline will give you telephone numbers an addresses of adult education and testing centers in your area. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  Gary Community School Corporation administers GED practice tests at the Gary Career Center; you can call them at (219) 962-7571 for dates and times.

CNA PROGRAM

The Calumet Township Trustee has contracted with Specialized Medical Training, Inc. to provide a group training session for (CNA) Certified Nursing Assistant.

The training includes classroom and clinical instruction which are conducted at a licensed state facility.  Each student must receive a physical clearance by completing a 2 step TB skin test and complete a physical examination, prior to performing clinical hours at any licensed nursing facility.

The students are required to wear all white uniforms during clinical sessions.  All testing, physical examination and uniforms are provided by the Calumet Township Trustee.

At the conclusion of the classroom and clinical sessions a pre-test is conducted to ensure students are prepared for the state examination.  The pre-testing and the state examination are also training expenses paid for by the Calumet Township Trustee.

The Health Care industry is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the country.  An estimate suggests that 85% of the individual completing health related training like the CNA program will find employment.

SENIOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (SCSEP) AND

AARP TAX PROGRAM

  Employment opportunities for seniors (SCSEP) Senior Community Service Employment Program helps provide low income job seekers with the skills and work experience needed to find employment.

  The seniors eligible for this program may find part-time employment and work training, generally, about 20 hours a week.

  All applicants must be at least 55 years of age and show proof of income, such as pension check stub, social security print-out, etc.

  Those interested contact Calumet Township Trustee's Job Search Works at (219) 886-5241 or (219) 886-5244.

   For more information on AARP, SCSEP, visit our website at www.aarp.org/scsep .

HELPING HAND PROGRAM

  The Job Search Works Division has developed the Calumet Township Trustee's Office "HELPING HAND" program. This program assists Calumet Township Trustee's Office clients with the following:

•  Assist client w/residential setup for easy access.

•  Assist client w/transportation needs.

•  Discuss & refer w/client the educational & employment opportunities available.

•  Assist & suggest security techniques.

•  Provide information & referrals for additional assistance.

The Job Search Works Division has expanded services for Calumet Township Trustee's Office clients to include assistance and referrals for the disabled. Those clients suffering from temporary or permanent disabilities often times find little assistance addressing the concerns related to employment, transportation, education and rehabilitation. Questions and concerns related to issues not listed shall be referred to agencies capable and qualified to address such matters.

The following ten tips are designed to give some insight into the situations and expectations the disabled are bound to be confronted with:

•  Expect an emotional reaction at your change in status from an "able" person to a disabled person.

•  Expect others to react differently to you than they did before the onset of your disability.

•  Expect changes in your energy level and the way your body and mind work together.

•  Expect governmental and organizational indifference and delays, sometimes from the very medical personnel, agencies and individuals meant to help you.

•  Expect co-workers to potentially feel uncomfortable with you.

•  SSI (Social Security disability benefit) is not a free ride.

•  As a newly disabled person, you may find yourself inundated with offers for work-at-home schemes which may or may not deal with you honestly.

•  Depending on the severity of your disability, you may need a care team.

•  When you are given the gift of a disability, it does not diminish you as much as you might initially think.

•  Nothing is impossible.

TAX CREDITS FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS

The Job Search Works Division has the responsibility of assisting Calumet Township Trustee clients in the pursuit of employment, with the expressed intent of eliminating the need for public assistance.

Any employer who pays tax and wages to Calumet Township Trustee clients are eligible to take advantage of the Welfare to Work programs and qualifies for a tax credit. The credit is 35% of qualified first year wages and 50% of qualified second year wages paid or incurred during the tax year. The maximum Federal Tax Credit is $8,500.00 per individual.

There are eight eligible applicant groups:

•  AFDC or TANF recipients who have received benefits for at least nine months during the last 18 months.

•  Veterans who have received food stamps for at least a three month period within the last 15 months.

•  Ex-felons convicted or released from prison within the last year, which are economically disadvantaged.

•  Youth between 18 and 24 years of age who live in Indianapolis zip codes 46201, 46202, 46205, 46208 or 46218

•  Vocational rehabilitation referrals who have an individual written rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) from an approved state or veterans agency.

•  Summer Youth Employees - youth between 16 and 17 years of age, employed between May 1 and September 15, who live in an enterprise zone.

•  Food stamp recipients between the ages of 18 and 24 who received food stamps for the last six months or received assistance for at least three months out of the last five months but is no longer eligible.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who received benefits for one month during the two month period prior to the hiring date.

After identifying an applicant as Welfare to Work (WTW) eligible, an employer must obtain and complete IRS form 8850, prescreening notice and certification request. ETA form 9061 individual characteristic form must also be completed within 21 days of the employees start date. Forms may be downloaded from the internet http://www.dwd.state.in.us .

 

There are two (2) limits on employers' use of the Welfare to Work Program:

 

•  No tax credit can be claimed on wages paid to relatives or former employees.

•  No tax credit may be claimed for wages where employers receive federally subsidized on the job training payments. Wages paid after the expiration of the on the job training subsidy can qualify for the credit.