august 17.2001 *
s people with HIV and AIDS
live longer, more active lives,
many in the comm unity are
interested in returning to work.
But the context of a person’s
health can make that change difficult. To sup
port this transition, Cascade AIDS Project has
launched a new employment assistance program
called Working Choices.
Funded by a grant from worksystems inc., it
provides people living with HIV/AIDS the neces
sary tools to make the return to employment as
positive as possible. Individuals have computer
access and can receive assistance in assessing skills,
writing resumes and job placement, whether in
the open market or with one of the program’s busi
ness partners. Staff also identify and promote spe
cific kinds of work with employers that can be
filled by people living with HIV/AIDS.
According to CAP executive director Thomas
Bruner, the goal is to move more clients into the
work force in order to generate income for them
selves. “W hat we want to do is bridge this gap that
has long existed between the HIV services sector
and the employment services sector,’’ he remarks.
An anonymous program participant voices
concerns common to many when he says: “I
knew 1 needed to start working again, partly
because I was tired of being poor. But I also
needed to get my mind working again. My
health was pretty good, and I realized that stay
ing home all the time was making me mentally
stagnant and causing me to lose confidence in
myself. It was also keeping me isolated socially.
To deal with all this, I needed to work.’’
Bruner points out CA P defines work in a
broad manner. For some people, it will mean a
perm anent, full-time job. Others, however,
might be seeking work that is part time, season
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“The employer really con-
^ trols the amount of support
they need," she says. “We can
establish a very involved rela
Program equips people living with HIV and AIDS
tionship, or it can be as sim
ple as e-mailing a job opening
for return to employment by Tim othy Krause
once a month or once every
six months.”
al, temporary or even volunteer. Bruner also says through
each
Employers also may be
individuals with HIV/AIDS are welcome to aspect of getting
eligible for significant finan
access this particular program without any oblig a job.
cial benefits. Companies may
ation to participate in other CAP client services.
For employ
save on business taxes by hir
Coordinating the program are two new ers, the program’s
ing from the target groups of
either the Work Opportunity
staff positions filled by Dough Zeh and Cicely
free placement
Hambrick.
Tax Credit program or the
service
saves
Zeh has been with CA P for 10 years and now time and money
Welfare-to-Work program.
serves as employment caseworker. He works when conduct
Bruner is enthusiastic
ing a search for
one-on-one with individuals, offering career
about th e positive effect
counseling, training and support in finding new employees,
W orking Choices will have
employment— all within the unique context of says Hambrick,
on CAP. “I’m convinced it’s
who joined the
a person’s HIV status and health situation.
an absolute turning point in
the way the organization
Zeh helps clients identify and overcome barri C A P staff last
spring from Tri-
thinks and acts,” he says.
ers to employment, such as drug and alcohol
Cicely Hambrick is recruiting employers to
Met’s
marketing
“It’s such an exciting step
problems, mental health issues and criminal his
participate in the Working Choices program
tory. He also assists individuals in the logistics of department.
forward toward an equip
ping model of service delivery and away from
having to match workdays with good health days,
“Our program does an initial screening so that
an older, enabling model of service delivery. It
arranging time off for medical appointments and businesses can trust that we’re sending out people
who are work-ready and qualified for their posi can ’t help but have a ripple effect on all of our
knowing how and when to disclose HIV status.
Perhaps more importantly, however, he pro tions,” she explains. “It’s an easy way for business institution.” j n
vides information about an individual’s eligibili es to access a loyal and motivated work force.”
Hambrick notes her office is connected with
For more information about WORKING CHOICES
ty for continued benefits, such as the Oregon
Health Plan and Social Security, as well as rea job developers from other social service agen call 50)-22)-5907 or 800-777-24)7 or visit the
Internet site xwuw.cascadeaids.org. Job seekers
sonable accommodations under the Americans cies. If CA P’s program doesn’t have a qualified
applicant, she can forward a job announcement may e-mail Dough Zeh at dzeh@cascadeaids.org.
with Disabilities Act.
Employers may write Cicely Hambrick at
“It’s all very low-key, and after our meeting we to more than 60 other agencies free of cost.
Hambrick’s role also includes providing chambrick@cascadeaids. org.
decide together what the next steps should be,’’
employers
with ongoing customer service that
says Zeh, who mentions that Working Choices
TIMOTHY K rause is a writer and editor living
also offers an intensive four-day employment might encompass, for example, companywide
in Portland.
HIV education.
training every other month that leads people
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