County task force needs employers

The Escambia County (Ala.) Department of Human Resources Jobs Task Force members were given a new directive Thursday, July 24, to aggressively seek out area employers willing to participate in the Subsidized Employment Program (SEP) in the county.

The SEP program provides service in Atmore, Brewton and Flomaton, offering two benefits; it assists TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) recipients in gaining full-time, permanent employment to become self-sufficient and it gives local businesses financial incentive for SEP program participation.

The way the program works is an employer who agrees to participate will receive gross wage reimbursement up to 12 months for an employee hired to work at least 35 hours a week. Employees who have children under six years of age are limited to 30 hours a week. Reimbursement will be provided by DHR until the employee's Family Assistance (FA) benefits terminate, the employment ends or the subsidy period ends. The employer is encouraged to retain the employee after the subsidy period has ended and may be able to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for non-reimbursed employee expenses.

“Our clients need money and we have some requirements for them,” said Bridgett Tune, Escambia County DHR Case Manager. “But we lack resources, like transportation and SEP sites. We need help putting the jobs program out there. We need to concentrate on recruitment and promotion.”

According to SEP Jobs Supervisor Mary Sullivan, most of their clients are mothers of small children who lack education and reliable support.

“Some have high school diplomas, some don't,” said Sullivan. “Some have kids and very little little formal education. The job has to be full time, but some come the first day and never come back. Some come and work out and keep employment.”

Sullivan said some employers have decided not to participate when an employee does not work out for whatever reasons, limiting the departments ability to help clients get on their feet.

“Some of our clients have experiences years of being on welfare,” said Tune. “Welfare, unfortunately, can be cyclical, with generations depending on it. There is a lack of work ethic, and we are working to change that. The state wants them employed. They want the numbers up.”

Tune noted that the GED classes offered through Coastal Alabama Community College and Family Hope Place in Brewton are free and DHR will pay for the test for their clients.

“Of the 15 active jobs cases, 3 were awarded the SEP and await a placement, 9 are employed, 4 of those are working under the SEP program, 4 are deferred, 3 have children under 6 months and 1 is a high-risk pregnancy,” said Tune.

Employers are encouraged to embrace the program and may contact Bridgette Tune at 251-809-2051 or Jessica Boutwell at 251-809-2056 at the Department of Human Resources.

“We need help from employers in the area to keep this program a success,” said Tune. “We need help. Even if we can get one person employed and help them be successful, it makes a different. We celebrate victories, even small victories.”