Canada’s New Government announces $49,783 to help people with disabilities find employment
Bridgewater, NS – Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $49,783 to help provide supported employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia.
By April of 2008 the Employment Solutions Society (formerly Lunenburg/Queens Action Council for People with Disabilities) will assist 13 people with disabilities in making the transition to employment through the delivery of Wage Subsidy, Self Employment, and Skill Enhancement programs.
“Canada’s New Government is committed to helping Canadians with disabilities who are not currently employed but who want to work,” said Keddy. “This project will assist Nova Scotians with disabilities achieve independence and self-reliance in order to fully participate in society.”
The project will assist eligible persons with disabilities in securing employment by addressing the barriers that are preventing them from transitioning to the labour market. The Employment Solutions Society provides services to unemployed individuals and to people with disabilities that include employment counselling, labour market research and employability workshops.
“We are very pleased to be able to expand our services to serve a greater number of people,” said Margaret Matthews, Executive Director of Employment Solutions Society. “The Employment Solutions Society is now in a better position to respond to the needs of unemployed individuals and people with disabilities across Lunenburg and Queens Counties.”
The $30 million Opportunities Fund helps persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and retain employment or self-employment. The program is for people with disabilities who have had little or no labour force experience and who therefore do not qualify for assistance under Employment Insurance.
The Opportunities Fund works in partnership with organizations for people with disabilities, including the private sector, to support an array of activities such as encouraging employers to hire workers with disabilities, increasing the employment skills of persons with disabilities, providing work experience, and helping people to start their own business.
For more information, visit the Service Canada website or contact your local Service Canada Centre.
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Backgrounder
Employment Solutions Society
The Employment Solutions Society was incorporated as the Lunenburg/Queens Action Council for People with Disabilities in February 1993. It opened an Employment Assisted Services office through federal funding on August 15, 1994, to assist people with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment in the areas of Lunenburg and Queens Counties. Specialized services are offered to people with disabilities, including career/employment counseling, labour market research and employability workshops.
The Action Council is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors (three current vacancies), comprised of community volunteers. The staff of five is comprised of the Executive Director, Margaret Matthews, a Financial Officer, Job Development Officer, Employment Officer, and an Office Support person.
The name of Lunenburg/Queens Action Council for People with Disabilities recently changed to the Employment Solutions Society. This reflects an expansion of services to include all unemployed individuals within Lunenburg County, while continuing to offer services to people with disabilities in Queens County.
Since 1993, in excess of $3 million has been contributed to the Employment Solutions Society, involving agreements ranging from Labour Market Partnerships to Employment Assisted Services, and Skills Link projects.
Project:
Over a 52-week Opportunities Fund Agreement, the Employment Solution Society will assist 13 eligible persons with disabilities, through the Community Coordinator model, in making the transition to employment in accordance with established Return to Work Action Plans. Assistance will be through the delivery of Wage Subsidy, Self Employment, and Skill Enhancement programs. This will assist participants in addressing the barriers that are preventing them from transitioning to the labour market.
The total amount of funding for this agreement is $49,783 - of which $42,274 is for direct client costs.
Program:
The objective of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is to assist persons with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining and keeping employment or becoming self employed, thereby increasing their economic participation and independence.
