April 6, 2010
Cities with
staffing needs and tight budgets are encouraged to consider the Georgia
Department of Human Services' (GDHS) Jobs for Georgians and TeenWork
programs.
“We have a unique opportunity to put Georgians
back to work, reinvigorate Georgia businesses and spark an economic recovery
across our state,” said B.J. Walker, commissioner of the Georgia Department
of Human Services. “While some states are using federal stimulus funds
primarily for social services, we will use ours to put Georgians back to
work.”
GDHS plans to use more than $110 million in
federal stimulus funds as an incentive for private- and public-sector
employers to hire 20,000 adult and youth residents this summer. Cities are
also asked to make area employers aware of the program.
The state will provide an 80 percent subsidy to
employers who hire adults under its Jobs for Georgians program. The employer
will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent of the worker’s salary.
Adult workers must have at least one dependent child and a current household
income of less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Funding is
available for employers to hire 5,000 adult workers. Federal subsidies for
the program are available through September 30, 2010. Positions must provide
at least 30 hours of employment per week and pay minimum wage or above. The
maximum subsidy for a six month period per employee is $26,000. Funding is
available for 5,000 adult workers.
Employers who participate in the state’s
TeenWork program will be reimbursed 100 percent for the salary for hired
youth, aged 14-18. Jobs are available June 1 to July 31 and applicants must
come from homes earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level,
or about $66,000 for a family of four. The program seeks to hire 15,000
teens this summer.
Tifton Council Member David Hetzel said he has
been waving the flag in Tifton about the TeenWork program since he first
heard about it at the Mayor’s Day Afterschool Summit in January.
“We have a lot of excited, potential players,”
he said. “From a city council perspective this is a wonderful opportunity to
teach children responsibility and put them to work. Why wouldn’t we
participate? The more folks we put to work, the better we are.”
"This program offers Georgia municipalities the
opportunity to put local residents back to work -- where it is needed the
most -- providing much needed services in their own communities,” said
Commissioner Walker. “Those who are feeling the effects of this recession
will get a boost and hopefully so will the State's revenues."
http://www.georgiateenwork.org/
http://www.jobsforgeorgia.org/
http://www.gmanet.com/Assets/PDF/arra_jobs_mou.pdf
Georgia
Department of Community Affairs
P.O. Box
870099
Morrow, GA
30287-0099
Blackberry:
404-323-9133
Office:
770-968-6584
Fax:
770-961-8771
