providing effective career guidance federal employment americorps service opportunities

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Providing Effective Career Guidance

Federal Employment

AmeriCorps Service Opportunities

Kathy McCreedy, DiverseAbility LLCStar Smith, US Internal Revenue Service

Paula Sotnik, National Service Inclusion Project Cathy McAdam, M. Catherine McAdam ACSW LLC

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Goals

• Provide to DSS participants, working with partners in Career Services, practical information to improve student employment outcomes after graduation.

• Overview

• Federal jobs

• AmeriCorps service opportunities – National & State Perspectives

• Allow significant time for discussion

• Questions

• What have been your experiences?

• Commitment to shared learning – valuing experience in the room

Presentation Objectives

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Service / volunteer opportunities

DMD / Job shadow / Informational Interview

Paid work

Coops and Internships

NetworkingDisclosure Strategy

Resume writingInterviewing skills

It’s A Personal JourneyAwareness – Valuing Self – Experience

Dream Job

Full-time employment

Service opportunities – AmeriCorps

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• Accounting• IT - MITS• HR• Administrative• Management• Analyst• Economist and• Much More.

Federal Job OpportunitiesFederal Job Opportunities

USA Jobs at:http://www.usajobs.gov/

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• Competitively (USA Jobs)• Non-Competitively (Schedule A)

– 5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)– The Federal Government special appointing authority.

Federal Job Opportunities Federal Job Opportunities

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• Resume• Schedule A Certification• Certification of Job Readiness• Transcripts• DD-214 (for Veterans)

• Checklist – HCO.recruiter4disability@irs.gov

IRS Required Documents

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The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) A national training and technical assistance provider

for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

1.Develops the capacity of all national service, civic engagement and volunteer communities to actively recruit and support Americans with all abilities

2.Advances national service and volunteerism as a valued option for all Americans in the disability community

By expanding opportunities for Americans with disabilities to engage in service, the Corporation for National and Community Service fulfills its mission to engage all Americans of all backgrounds in

service toward the strengthening of their communities.

~ excerpt from CNCS Mission Statement

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NSIP Partners include:

• Association on University Centers on Disabilities

• Association on Higher Education and Disability

• National Down Syndrome Congress

• National Council on Independent Living

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– Engagement of individuals with disabilities in their communities through service and volunteering

– Support the use of these experience toward employment and post secondary education

– Connect with a range of community entities• Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) grantees• Disability organizations/agencies• Individuals with disabilities/family members• Employers

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NSIP and NextSTEP are funded through cooperative agreements,

by the Corporation for National and Community Service

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Corporation for Nat’l & Community Service

The Corporation for National & Community Service:

• A federal agency established in 1993 and reauthorized in 2009, to provide opportunities for ALL Americans to give back to their communities through service and volunteering

• Mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering

• Structured volunteer service opportunities are provided through three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. Many new programs to be established with the passage of the 2009 Kennedy Service Act

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Thousands of people with disabilities serve (or have served) in the CNCS three major programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America.

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Volunteering and Service: One Path to Becoming…

• National Service or community volunteering is one path to preparing to become … something

• …or to change course and become … something else

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Why Volunteer and Serve….

• Increase self-esteem and self-confidence• Feel needed and valued• Experience a sense of accomplishment• Develop skills that are transferrable to many areas

of life, including college and jobs• Expand networks

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Volunteers and Service Members….

• Learn to assume leadership and responsibility

• Develop a track record and demonstrate the ability

to complete tasks

• Build experience and are able to practice resume-

building skills

• Explore many career options

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A WIN-WIN Situation:

• People with disabilities are integral members of their communities and wish to contribute.

• People who volunteer are significantly more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives. [CNCS AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study 2008]

• People who volunteer improve their lives and make a difference in the lives of those they help.

• Communities really learn about what all Americans can do!

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In addition to the many intangible benefits, National Service program participants are eligible to receive:

– A living stipend– An Education Award– Health Insurance as needed and,– Child care benefits, as needed

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AmeriCorps State &

National

AmeriCorps (AC) supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of Americans in full or part-time volunteering to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps program grants go to States, National Non-Profits, Indian Tribes and U.S. territories. Individuals 17 years or older, with a H.S. diploma/GED or working on one, or with an Independent Educational Assessment are eligible to apply

AC State and National members are eligible to receive a living allowance, health insurance, child care, and an education award upon successful completion of the service period. The HEART Act of 2008 made it possible for the living stipend to be disregarded as income for SSI eligibility purposes

Limited funds are available through State Service Commissions for reasonable accommodations

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AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time volunteers to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

AmeriCorps VISTA members or volunteers are eligible to receive a living allowance, health care, child care and an education award upon completion.

The VISTA living allowance is not regarded as income for purposes of SSI eligibility

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AmeriCorps NCCC

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time residential program for men and women aged 18-24 that strengthens communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.

NCCC members receive a living allowance, health care and an education award upon completion.

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Segal AmeriCorps Education Award 2010

• Amount is $4,725 for a full-time award (will increase and match Pell grant award amount)

• Part-time members receive pro-rated amounts• Can be used for degree or enrichment coursework • Can use it at any Title IV school including trade schools

(beauty, massage, auto repair, etc.)• Can pay for tuition, books, and cost of attendance items

(which can include a computer and equipment needed for coursework)

http://encorps.nationalserviceresources.org/segal_americorps_education_awa.php

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The Corporation provides a variety of opportunities for Americans to volunteer.

I invite you to go to www.nationalservice.gov for further details on all programs.

To decide, go to:

http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_individuals/ready/selector.asp

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/index.asp

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Michigan Community Service Commission Statewide Inclusion Team

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• Reaching out to MRS & MCB to engage people with

disabilities in service related to career development

• One-day service opportunities- Value of volunteerism

• Job shadows- Networking & “Testing the waters”

• Work experiences- Developing skills, Framing goals

• Full time service - Connections to future employment

Michigan’s AmeriCorpsCurrent Grant Project

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Antoinette Adkins

Downriver CARES AmeriCorps

“My first challenge was to pick a placement that could accommodate me. Fortunately, there were many to choose from.

With the help of a great program director, I was able meet the challenge head on and find incredible placements! I have enjoyed being a part of the AmeriCorps family. Serving adults with various severe mental illnesses - teaching them life skills - has increased my desire to go back to school to achieve my Ph.D. I have formed friendships I never expected, helping me to grow and learn about myself too! AmeriCorps is an experience I will never forget.”

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• Experiences thinking through disclosure concerns

• Developing accommodation strategies

• Increasing self confidence

Opportunities to Learn, Grow ,and Develop Strategies for Future Employment

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• Between 2002 and 2010, 94 VISTA members have served

through the Ann Arbor CIL AmeriCorps*VISTA Program.

• Of 94 VISTA members, 57 identify as being a person with a disability.

This number is most likely higher, possibly closer to 65 or 70.

• Of 75 VISTA members who have completed service in program, at least 20

entered employment following their service.

• 18 of 20 persons hired have disabilities.

Successful Employment

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• Getting out the word in the disability community

• Proactive recruitment using community partners

Building Bridges

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Important questions and answers to think through for students and counselors, along with the WIPA specialist– Are there any risks to my SSI/SSDI benefits?– Will my vocational case be closed?– Will I loose my health insurance?

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mcsc/AC_FAQ_315376_7.pdf

FAQ Benefits Chart

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• Education award• Day care• Health care• Substantial Stipend• Giving back• Resume builder• A real link to employment

Benefits

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Discussion

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Kathy McCreedy DiverseAbility LLC

kmmccreedy@chartermi.net989-631-8867

Star Smith US Internal Revenue Service

(317) 501-4368HCO.rectuiter4disability@irs.gov

Paula Sotnik National Service Inclusion Project

888-491-0326 (toll-free voice and TTY)617-287-4343 (direct line)paula.sotnik@umb.edu

Cathy McAdamM. Catherine McAdam ACSW LLC

Consultant, DiverseAbility LLCmcmcadam@att.net

313-563-1412

DiverseAbility is a registered service mark of DiverseAbility LLCDial 711 for Relay