Before resumes are sent to you, Up Steps develops the candidates Individuals participating in Up Steps attend an Employment Readiness Bootcamp which teaches critical work skills, life skills, and ways to work smarter. Sessions also help participants assess career interests and aptitudes. Your potential employees are eligible and will be encouraged to participate in no cost training programs offered through a partnership between the AllOne Foundation and Luzerne County Community College as well as resources offered through the Luzerne County CareerLink which can include up to $5,000 in training in specific career areas.
2) TAX CREDITS: Hiring Up Steps program participants may make you eligible for tax credits. Many Up Steps participants fall into categories targeted by the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program (WOTC). WOTC is calculated as a percentage of qualified wages paid to an eligible worker during year of employment. The application for WOTC tax credits must be completed within 28 days of the employee’s hire date. Up Steps has a simple information brochure that will provide you with further details on how to apply.
3) Free Bonding:
Most of the employees that go through the Up Steps program are eligible to participate in the Federal Bonding Program. The program provides free insurance coverage for the employer for six months and begins on the employee's first day or work. For more information, please click here or Contact State Bonding Program Manager Gregory Shirk at 717-783-3676 or email gshirk@pa.gov
4) Gain Loyal, Hard-Working Employees:
As reported on NPR’s All Thing’s Considered, “Delta Lighting runs a bustling call center just north of Philadelphia. It’s 50 or so sales reps sell lighting and cleaning supplies to companies across the country. Joe Arndt is Vice President there. He’s been recruiting workers with a history of addition for years and says he’s found they make great employees. They’re tremendously loyal to us, and they just work harder."* Employers that give individuals a change and rebuild their lives earn loyalty and trust.
5) Follow-Up:
Up Steps is committed to following up with you — the employer — and with your new employee for at least six months to ensure that the partnership is a successful one. A strong partnership is a win for the employer, the employee and for our entire community!
6) Help Area Residents and Your Community: For local individuals recovering from addiction, having a job at an organization such as yours means a lot. It means a steady income, an increase in self esteem and a better quality of life. It reduces their sense of alienation and their dependence on public support. Study after study has shown that a good job is critical to recovery. It is a key piece of recovery capital that individuals need to succeed. And, when individuals succeed and build a better life, it is good for our community. By hiring an individual in recovery, you become a partner — giving back to Northeastern Pennsylvania and to all of the people who call it home.
• Information from NPR Story by Nina Feldman, “ New Job Hope For Adults In Drug And Alcohol Recovery, which aired on December 16, 2018 · 5:37 PM ET on All Things Considered