Employment Services Department at TRPIL Expands

By Lois Thompson

About two-and-a-half years ago, the Employment Services department of TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living) in Washington, PA, established a dedicated staff, headed by Lead Employment Specialist Mary Petrusch, M.S., CESP, CPWIC. That staff has now grown to include two new, full-time members: Taunya Claude, Transition Coordinator for PRE-ETS Programming, and Valkyrie Williams, CPWIC, Benefits Counselor.

Steve Johnson, director of marketing for TRPIL in Washington and the affiliated Voices for Independence in both Washington and Erie, explained the responsibilities of the two new staffers. He said Claude is actually a "home-grown success story," having started as a receptionist after having gone through the program at TRPIL. Johnson explained that her role focuses on helping clients with the transition from youth into adulthood/employment, essentially answering the question, "What does someone do after high school?"

He said that Claude works with students still in high school or college, between the ages of 14 and 22, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, who want to look for work, and assists them in understanding what they can expect when they join the workforce. "She outlines different career paths, reviewing what will help them get into a college, tech, or trade school. She also goes over professional skills, and develops curriculum and business contacts, ensuring that the youth have a wide variety of industries or businesses available to them."

Williams is somewhat following in Claude's footsteps as she replaced her as receptionist, but her job has transitioned to helping people understand what changes will be made to their SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance) federal benefits, depending on how they work.

Williams also helps to dispel misconceptions. For example, she said, "Many people think that they can only work 20 hours per week, but that's incorrect. It's based on gross income." In addition, she helps them understand what will happen to their benefits, and just as importantly, when these changes will occur. They are not immediate, as some people believe, because a number of changes take time before being implemented.

Johnson pointed out that while one major aspect of Williams' role is to inform people of what to expect, she makes sure not to tell them what to do: everyone is treated like an individual who makes his or her own decisions. She also assists with reporting to Social Security, encouraging individuals to do what they can, and sharpening their skills and goals, with regard to entering the workforce.

Johnson summed up the new additions to the Employment Services department by saying, "Valkyrie handles logistics from the starting point, while Taunya focuses on developing the skill set."

TRPIL has a cooperative agreement and holds webinars in conjunction with PA Health & Wellness, to educate employers on employment services and hiring employees with a disability. During these webinars, employers help to educate fellow employers on how to better understand the process and what to expect. The next two webinars are "Easier than You Think: Intangible Accommodations" (September 26) and "Job Coach as an Employee Accommodation" (October 17). The webinars are open to anyone who wants to learn more as a business owner/provider. Registration can be found at www.trpil.com.

For more information, call 724-223-5115 or visit vficil.org