Stimulus money can put jobless back to work
by Helen McCoy/Sentinel

The state needs employees and employers.
When the federal stimulus package was approved last year, money was set aside
to help put Georgians back to work.
Now, employers and employees alike can benefit from the Georgia Department of
Human Services’ (DHS) subsidized employment program, which has a goal of
putting 5,000 Georgians back to work and boosting the economy.

The concept is simple: The state is looking for 5,000 employers to hire a worker
using funds from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
What’s in it for the employers? They will receive an 80 percent wage subsidy
from the state for hiring workers under the program.
In other words, if a business hires a worker at $10 an hour, the state will pay $8 of
it, and the company just $2.

DHS put out bids for providers across the state to run the program in specific
areas.

Ringer Employment Solutions won the bid to administer the program in Douglas,

Clayton, Henry, Fayette and DeKalb counties.

The word has been slow in getting out, according to Samantha Barnum, an office
manager with Ringer. They have had only two referrals so far, and the deadline to
take advantage of the program is Sept. 30.
People looking for a job must be U.S. citizens or legal immigrants allowed to work
in the U.S., be a Georgia resident, have a minor child in the home (under the age
of 18) or be the parent of a minor child who lives with their other parent or a
relative, and have a gross monthly household income at or below 300 percent of
the federal poverty level.
Barnum said that equates to a family of four not making more than $60,000 a
year.
Job seekers must sign up with an ARRA representative, who will determine their
eligibility. The specialist then refers the prospective employee to Ringer, who will
contact the applicant between 24 and 48 hours to schedule an orientation.
During the two- to three-day orientation, the employment company will assess the
applicant’s job readiness in terms of skills, resume, dress, interviewing skills and
other criteria.
Job coaching is also available to those who need it.
In addition to job coaching, DHS will also pre-screen employees and conduct
background checks, if required.
“After that, we start looking for a job for you,” said Barnum. “During orientation,
we see what job the person is best suited for and the company, and we set up an
interview.”
Employers must also apply, get screened and approved.
If selected, the employer must provide at least 30 hours of employment per week,
and positions must pay minimum wage or above.
Wages must be comparable to wages paid to current employees performing
similar tasks, according to the DHS Web site.
Employers cannot replace existing employees to take advantage of the subsidy.
The maximum subsidy for a six-month period per employee is $26,000.
The ultimate goal is to find companies that can benefit from the program but can
also find a way to keep the employee on after Oct. 1, when the stimulus dollars run out,

Barnum said.

“We are trying to stimulate business as well as put people to work,” she said.

Anyone who would like additional information or to sign up may contact Barnum
at 770-947-1003 or visit the DHS Web site: www.jobsforgeorgia.org.

© times-georgian.com 2010