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Job Seekers Services for Special Populations 

PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley is ready to assist individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, those who are preparing for non-traditional career training and employment, re-entering individuals, and people with other barriers to education and employment, such as (but not limited to) limited English.

The following is a break down of the services we provide for job seekers who fall into our “special populations” categories.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. The OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services and service providers. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed, outlining a vocational objective, services, providers and responsibilities. Certain services are subject to a Financial Needs Test (FNT) and may require financial participation by the customer. Counseling and guidance, diagnostic services, assessments, information and referral, job development and placement, and personal services such as readers or sign language interpreters are provided at no cost to the individual. Also, by law OVR customers receiving Social Security benefits for their disability (SSI, SSDI) are exempt from OVR’s Financial Needs Test.

To learn more about PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley’s services for people with disabilities, call 610-437-5627 or send us a message. Scroll to the bottom of our career resource center page to find a full list of accessible resources and equipment available at our centers.

Vocational and Rehabilitation Resources

Online Disability and Employment Help

Providers of Adaptive Equipment

AbilityHub.com
c/o The Gilman Group, L.L.C.
P.O. Box 6356
Rutland, VT 05702-6356
802-775-1993
Fax: 802-773-1604

ACCESS
2 Bethlehem Plaza
Suite, 300
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-866-6667
Fax: 610-866-2341
Contact Person: Dick Kovacs

Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
800-444-4443
Fax: 727-803-8001
TDD: 800-444-4443
Email: info@freedomscientic.com

Maxi-Aids
P.O. Box 3209
Farmingdale, New York 11735
631-752-0521
631-752-0738 (V/TTY)
Fax: 631-752-0689
Email: sales@maxiaids.com
Website: www.maxiaids.com

Pitney Bowes
800-838-9945 extension 3817
Contact Person: J.R. Thatcher

Rehabtool.com
P.O. Box 572190
Houston, Texas 77257
281-531-6106
Fax: 281-531-6406

PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley works with local ESL Providers to assist job seekers who speak limited English. Classes are offered from beginner to advanced for those wanting to improve their educational, employment, and personal opportunities.

Free ESL Classes provided at the following locations:

Adult Literacy Center of Lehigh Valley
610-435-0680

Lehigh Carbon Community College
610-799-1955

Northampton Community College
610-332-8652

ProJeCt of Easton
610-258-1100 Ext 13

Our Introduction to Services class is conducted in Spanish at our PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley center. Visit our workshop calendar or call 610-437-5627 for more information or to find out the class schedule.

ESL Resources

The Senior Community Service Employment Program is the nation’s oldest program to help low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55+ find work. SCSEP is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and operated by AARP Foundation in 21 states and Puerto Rico.

SCSEP participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers. The program provides over 40 million community service hours to public and non-profit agencies, allowing them to enhance and provide needed services. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. This training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities for participants.

Lehigh and Northampton County residents who are 55 or older and meet income guidelines established by the federal government are eligible for SCSEP. For more information, please contact the Lehigh Valley branch of AARP Foundation.

AARP Foundation – Bethlehem, PA
10-East Church Street
#501
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-865-3002

Related Links & Resources:

AARP Official Website

AARP Foundation SCSEP

Social Security Online

 

PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley offers a number of programs and services for Veterans to assist you in job searching, re-training, and supportive services. Veteran representatives are available to speak with you in our main office and can help you identify the services for which you may be qualified.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

3110 Hamilton Boulevard

Allentown, PA 18103

610-776-4304 (press “0” for operator)

The following Lehigh Valley organizations can also lend assistance to veterans:

Veterans Resources

The Employment Advancement and Retention Network (EARN) program is designed to provide comprehensive activities and services to individuals newly applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, as well as on-going TANF benefit recipients. The goal of the program is to support participants in achieving successful employment outcomes as they move toward self-sufficiency.

EARN consists of two components:

  1. The Work Support Component (WSC) provides job placement services to new TANF applicants. Participants enrolled in this component participate in an eight week job readiness and directed job search curriculum.

  2. The Career Development Component (CDC) provides a full range of employment and training activities for the ongoing TANF recipient beginning with an initial four week job readiness and search program. Work first, employment, or a work activity is the preferred outcome. Other available activities include literacy, post-secondary education, and skill training.

The Lehigh Valley EARN Program partners with the Northampton County and Lehigh Carbon Community Colleges in offering innovative vocational educational skills training, job readiness curriculum, and directed job search/placement.

Job retention is a critical part of the EARN program, and job retention activities and incentives are designed to encourage participants to maintain employment. This leads to an increased likelihood of self sufficiency through opportunities for career advancement, increased wages, and employer provided medical benefits.

To find out more about these programs and whether you are eligible for services contact PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley at 610-437-5627, extension 271.