| The Employment Linking Services for Refugee is funded by the County
of Fresno to assist refugees who have been in the United States for less
than five years with employment as an opportunity to become self-sufficient.
These refugees especially Southeast Asians, Russians and Somalia, are new
to America. They are from a country of constant threat and persecution.
The new Welfare Reform Law of 1996 is a major effect on these refugees. They are facing many difficulties with employment. The new law requires everyone (those who receive public assistance) to work and does not allow enough time for them to improve their English language and/ or skills that will help them in finding jobs. This program will provide them assistance in job training, job placement
and other social and acculturation services that will facilitate the transition
from welfare into unsubsidized employment
1. Work Experience is a non-salaried work experience in public or private sector positions that would help provide basic job skills and enhance existing job skills to the participant that will lead to employment. 2. On-the-Job Training Development and Placement (OJT) provides subsidized employment in which a participant receives job-skills training directly from an employer. Once the training period ends, it is expected the employer will retain that participant in an unsubsidized position. 3. Job Club and Job Search provides participants with orientation and introduction to the American work culture, the expectations of American employers and employment activities, training to learn job-seeking and interviewing skills. Participants are helped to develop and write resumes, and to learn skills designed to enhance the individual’s capacity to move toward economic self-sufficiency. 4. Job Retention Services, which include problem solving, time management, and identify transferable skills, development of a support group, stress management and career planning. Benefits for Hiring Refugees By hiring a refugee, employer will get the following benefits: 1. Tax Credit A. In 1997, President Clinton has signed a tax credit bill, which will waive employer taxes if they hire individuals who are on public assistance. The tax credit plan will provide 35% for first year and 50% for second year per individual hired. We will process the tax credit papers. B. Fresno Enterprise Zone. If you fall in the Fresno proposed zone, you will get an additional tax credit for hiring CalWORKs recipients, including refugees. 2. OJT (On-Job-Training) FCNA has OJT budget for training refugees. For example, a refugee, who has limited English and job skills, FCNA will help employer pay half of the salary up to three months for training. After the training period, employer will keep the trained employee for at least three more months or longer
|