Empowerment Project

Suncoast Workforce has dedicated Empowerment Project Employment Counselors to help survivors of domestic violence with job search activities, Life Skills Workshop Series and short-term training services.

To be enrolled in the Empowerment Project, customers must meet with an Employment Counselor. Please see information below for details.

Customer Eligibility
Customers must meet the minimum Workforce Investment Act (WIA) eligibility. Minimum WIA eligibility, defined as U.S. citizens or otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States; if applicable, have registered for the draft; and have been determined in need of employment and training services to become self-sufficient.

Customers must prove

Social Security Number (Social Security Card or Social Security Administration print out)
Date of Birth (Valid Driver’s License, State Identification Card, Birth Certificate or United States (U.S.) Passport)
U.S. citizens or otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States (U.S. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport)
Current Picture Identification Card
Education (G.E.D, High School Diploma, Transcripts or copy of Degree)
For address, family size and annualized income, in some cases, a “Self-Attestation” form can be provided by Employment Counselor.

Note: For survivors of domestic violence, income is not an eligibility factor to be enrolled in the Empowerment Pilot Project but must be stated for reporting purposes only.

Description of Services

Direct Employment Services

Employ Florida – Connect with employers and make resume visible to hiring companies
Resource Room with computers, internet access, copiers, phone and fax
Labor market Information to help determine which industries are in demand and which are not
Skills assessments to help determine level of abilities
Software tutorials to help polish professional skills
Employment counseling and Job/Career training services
Job registration
Vocational guidance
Career counseling
Résumé preparation and critique
Vocational and Interest/Aptitude testing
Career exploration
Job/employment opportunity development

Life Skills Workshop Series

Understanding, Valuing and Capitalizing on Strengths of Self and Others
Understanding Your Learning Style
Effective Study & Test Taking Skills
Writing that Works
Communications and Interpersonal Interaction Skills
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Conflict Resolution
Taking Control of Your Personal Finance
Connecting with Your Child: Being the Parent You Want to Be
Stress Management
Building and Maintaining Self Esteem
Achieving Your Lifetime Goals

The workshops are offered in a 1-week, four-day, workshop from Monday to Thursday. The following is the schedule:

August 8, 9, 10, and 11
September 12, 13, 14, and 15
September 19, 20, 21, and 22
September 26, 27, 28, and 29
October 11, 12, 13, and 14 (Tuesday – Friday schedule due to Columbus Day Holiday)

Occupational Skills Training
For Empowerment Pilot Project customers willing to enroll in short-term Occupational Skills Training that can be completed before November 15, 2011, training program must be chosen from: LINK TO 2011-2012 TOL.

For Occupational Skills Training that customers are choosing to enroll in that extends the grant period, please visit the Workforce Investment Act Program (WIA). All WIA eligibility requirements apply.
Forms

Consent for Release of Information
Empowerment Project Self-Referral OR
Agency Referral (if agency referral, agency must utilize their Authorization to Release Information as well)
Empowerment Project Pre-Screen

For more information, please call (941) 358-4200. For Sarasota County residents, dial ext. 3131. For Manatee County residents, dial ext. 3121.