April 2020
News & Opportunities
Workforce News - Funding - Virtual Workshops and Events - And More!
Who We Are
The  Chenango-Delaware-Otsego Workforce is the agency to link employers with workers, and workers with the resources they need to develop their careers.

We offer a wealth of information & free services for both businesses and job seekers. Please visit our website for an overview of our services-- and contact us to find out how we can help! 


An American Job Center
There is never a charge for our services.
CDO Workforce Continues to Serve You

While CDO Workforce has suspended in-person services at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are continuing to serve our customers and job seekers in a virtual setting.

Click the county that you reside in to request virtual services:



CDO Workforce COVID-19 Resources
CDO Workforce COVID-19
Resources for Businesses and Job Seekers
We have added a COVID-19 Resources section to our CDO Workforce website.

Helpful Resources include Information On:

  • Enhanced Unemployment Insurance
  • The New York State Shared Work Program
  • Finding the Right Help during the COVID-19 Outbreak from Benefits.gov
  • Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
  • Companies who are Hiring Immediately
  • Small Businesses Emergency Loans
  • Resources from the New York State Business Council 
  • and many more...

We are adding more resources frequently. You can subscribe to receive updates. Click the email icon at the top of the page, and type in your email address.

Partner & Community COVID-19 Resources
Delaware Opportunities

Food Pantry:
Effective starting Saturday, March 28, 2020, the Delaware Opportunities’ Food Pantry located at the main office building in Hamden will be open additional hours. Please see their new hours listed below:

Monday-8-4
Tuesday-8-6
Wednesday-8-4
Thursday-8-6
Friday-8-4
Saturday-10-2

The Food Bank will be open these additional hours to try and assist families who are not able to come to the Hamden Food Pantry during its normal business hours. While there will not be any deliveries done during these extended hours, families can call Kelly Short at 607-746-1685 to schedule needed deliveries.

Child Care:
For assistance in finding child care please contact Child Care Resource & Referral at 607-746-1620 or by email at daycare@delop.org. They are prioritizing child care for essential workers, including health care workers, first responders, grocery and pharmacy employees and others who are critical to keep our essential supports operational.

Roots & Wings program located at 34-36 Berry Street in Norwich. Call (607) 336-7897 to learn more.
Commerce Chenango
COVID-19 Resources

Commerce Chenango has compiled resources and information to support the community as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Resources

Updates, Resource Links, How to Support Our Small Businesses and More.

Child Care Chenango County

Family Enrichment Network is working diligently with state and local officials to ensure safe quality childcare is available to families of Chenango County:

"We are, and continue to be in contact with our childcare providers throughout the county. Currently many of these providers have openings to care for children affected by the school closings."

Contact:
Julie Henry
Chenango CCR&R Coordinator
Family Enrichment Network, Inc.
21 S. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815
(607) 373-3555 ext. 1522
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerice
COVID-19 Resources

"The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce wants to support our local businesses, community, and visitors to our area in preparing for and having the most up-to-date information possible about the Coronavirus. Here are some resources to help, and ways you can support our business community during these challenging times."

More Helpful COVID-19 Resources

USDA Food and Nutrition Service has opened up a previously established pilot program, Meals-To-You, to help with Emergency Meals for school districts facing closure due to COVID-19. If schools/individuals/families are having trouble accessing meals due to school closure, you can go to www.mealstoyou.org to apply for Meals-To-You- emergency meals.

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Opportunities for immediate relief here.

USDA FNS has established a general email address, for individuals/schools/vendors that have questions related to food programs or who have USDA nutrition specific questions in relation to COVID-19. That email address is feedingkids@usdsa.gov 

Provisions related to nutrition and SNAP in th e recently passed COVID-19 bill - HR. 6201 .

Benefits.gov has released a new article, "Finding the Right Help during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Outbreak." In the article, you will find helpful information on government benefits such as unemployment resources and healthcare coverage as well as resources for businesses and families. 

For the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus outbreak, visit Coronavirus.gov to learn more about how to protect and prepare yourself and your community. 
CARES Act
Enhanced Unemployment Insurance

The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers.

Workforce Events & Opportunities
Are you actively participating in any of these certificate or degree programs?
 
• High School Equivalency or National EDP 
 
• Advanced Manufacturing
 
• Healthcare
 
• The Trades
 
The Career Pathways III Program wants to help you!
 
Eligible participants can receive up to $1000 in supportive services after obtaining their program certificate.
 
(Note: 60 hours of classroom time is required for eligibility. Must meet residency, age & income requirements.)
 
Stay in touch--
Get Notified When we Post News and Opportunities on our Website

Want to keep informed about new learning & training opportunities, workforce news, "hot" job opportunities, new resources and more throughout the month?

New Job Search Link

The New York State Department of Labor has launched a new job search site! Search your location now for companies that are hiring immediately. 

The site is updated daily with vetted open positions at top companies. 

Businesses: you can post jobs here too! 

CDO Workforce Job Search Link

DYK you can search job opportunities across six counties in real-time on our Job Search Link?

Go to our homepage and click "Search Local Job Opportunities" near the top of the page to get started-- or you can click here for the direct link: https://www.working-solutions.org/#jobsearch
Featured Job Opportunities
Senior Employment Security Clerk (Hourly) - Endicott

As a Senior Employment Security Clerk assigned to New York State Department of Labor (DOL)’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Telephone Claims Center, you would:

- Instruct customers on the requirements and methods of certifying for benefits including the consequences of failure to certify
- Process claims and make appropriate determinations
- Ensure that the customer understands the criteria for alternative methods of becoming entitled to benefits
- Interact with other offices and governmental agencies to obtain information that may affect customer eligibility
- Provide information regarding the hearing process so customers understand their due-process rights; and explain penalties and forfeitures of benefits
- Respond to business inquiries or complaints regarding UI benefit claims
- Work under the pressure of continuous public contact

Please note: these positions are in-person, located in high volume call-centers and are not available for working remotely at this time.

Featured Business Resources
HOW CAN SHARED WORK HELP YOUR BUSINESS?  

The New York State Department of Labor Shared Work Program lets you keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.

See our Business Fact Sheet for Services We Provide, including:

  • Customized recruitment (in the event that all laid off staff did not ultimately return to your employment).
  • On-the-job training opportunities.
  • Human resource consultation.
  • Tax credits.
  • Safety and Health consultation. 


Spotlight on Workers with Disabilities
EARN Resources


"EARN and its funding entity, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), remain committed to helping employers protect the health and safety of their employees, during the COVID-19 pandemic and at all times. This special issue of the EARN newsletter provides resources that can assist employers and others in understanding the intersection between the pandemic and disability employment policies and practices."

ABLE Resources



On March 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) clarified that food is considered a “qualified disability expense” from an ABLE account.

“For ABLE purposes, food is considered a qualified disability expense (basic living expense).”
Seeking Youth with Disabilities, ages 18 – 24
Virtual Job Shadow Pilot

We are looking for youth volunteers to help us learn more about how to use Virtual Job Shadow (VJS) - a new software program. 

What will you have to do?
• Participate in an orientation on how to use the Software program
• Participate in approximately four hours of on-line activities and one or more sessions completing the “Pilot

Lesson Plan that consists of seven activities using the software tools and including a pre and post survey to learn how much you learned about your career goals from using the software.

The software is designed to help:
1. Improve awareness of careers
2. Discover what jobs are available
3. Assessment of personal interests, skills and talents
4. How to apply for jobs that match your current skills; or how to gain the education and training necessary to match your interests

Accommodations are available. The pilot project is set up as a self-directed lesson that consists of seven activities so once you learn how to log into the software, you can continue at your own pace to complete the seven activities. You can also use the many software tools on your own as well.

Employment counselors will be available to answer questions, and offer guidance. The project runs to April 23, 2020. We encourage you to apply to be part of this project.
• Apply through your employment counselor.
• Time commitment: 4 hours virtual, two brief meetings to start and finish.

For more information, contact youth counselor in your area:
Josh Haines (Norwich) 607-334-2201 x 100
Jen Mitchell (Sidney-Delhi) 607-832-5784
Kathy DeAngelo (Oneonta) 607-432-4800 x 113
Alan Sessions (Oneonta) 607-432-4800, Ext. 109 
at 607-432-4800 x 109 or e-mail: cdoworkforce@gmail.com for more information.
Pictured: Disability Resource Coordinators Kathy DeAngelo and Alan Sessions
Career Spark Day Success

Laurens Central School District partnered with CDO Workforce and the Otsego Chamber to have a Career Spark Day for 9-12 graders to illustrate to them the important skills needed for the current job market and the opportunities that exist in our region. Many of these students were also looking for summer job opportunities and internship opportunities. Local community members were also invited for summer employment opportunities.

The event was held on Thursday, March 12th at Laurens Central School. Edmeston School District's students also participated. Presenters focused on the types of employment opportunities available in our area, employer expectations, job training, and potential internships. Break-out sessions followed the presentations allowing students time to meet potential employers, learn how to properly complete applications, how to dress for an interview, and resume building. They were also shown how to practice social distancing.

Nearly 100 students participated. Kathy DeAngelo and Alan Sessions from CDO Workforce presented information about the Job Bank, career pathways, Summer Youth Employment Program, financial literacy, ABLE Accounts, and the Disability Employment Initiative. Summer Youth Employment applications were also distributed. 

Photos Courtesy Alan Sessions
Check out our CDO Workforce Disability Employment Initiative FACEBOOK PAGE - for more disability-related articles, news & resources

...And please Like & Share to help us get the word out about this great resource...Thank you!
Job Seeker Tips & Resources

Working Remotely During COVID-19
Your Mental Health
and Well-being

Four industries hiring during COVID-19

CDO Workforce Program & Incentive Highlights
**In-Person Workshops and Services are suspended at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to serve job seekers and businesses by email, phone, and online.
On-The-Job Training
The CDO Workforce New York One-Stop System has On-the-Job Training (OJT) Funds available. 

The OJT funding provides companies with an incentive to hire and train individuals who lack the specific skills or experience for a job. 

OJT is appropriate for occupations where classroom training is not suitable and for which specific job skills can be learned by a worker while engaged in useful work. 

This program is for full-time (at least 32 hours per week) employment and cannot be used for seasonal, commission, or 1099 employment opportunities.
 
Business OJT users apply their own methods to teach workers the new skills necessary for successful employment within their company, while the trainee is performing productive tasks. 

OJT contracts can be written up to $2,000 per trainee depending on amount of training provided.
 
For more information regarding grants and other CDO Workforce Business Servicescontact:  Tylena Daniels at (607)-334-2201 X 128 /   Tylena.Daniels@labor.ny.gov  OR April Feyh at  (607)-832-5782 /   april.feyh@co.delaware.ny.us
New Hire Training and Existing Employee Training
New Hire Training (OJT): Intended to fund the on-the-job occupational skills training for newly hired workers in need of skill upgrade training for their job responsibilities immediately after hire.

Training that is provided under OJT is to participants who have been hired by the business. There should be a commitment by the business to retain the individual upon successful completion of the training.

Existing Employee Training (EET): Intended to provide occupational skills training to existing employees who are in low and middle-skills occupations, leading to job advancement and retention. 

If you are interested in learning more, please contact:
David Croston
Business Services Representative
New York State Department of Labor
(607) 778-3004 / david.croston@labor.ny.gov
New York Youth Jobs Program
The New York Youth Jobs Program encourages businesses to hire unemployed, disadvantaged youth, ages 16 to 24, who live in New York State. This program helps make it easier for youth to find a job and career training path. 

For program year 2020, businesses can earn tax credits of up to $7,500 for eligible youth starting work between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.  
 
Businesses in Chenango, Delaware or Otsego County who would like to participate in this program must apply before November 30, 2020.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact:
David Croston, Business Services Representative
New York State Department of Labor
(607) 778-3004
Trailing Partner Initiative
Dear Regional Employer Partner,

Have you ever had the experience of having the perfect recruit apply for a position with your company only to have the prospective employee decide to reject your offer due to concerns about opportunities both personal and professional for their partner?

Let us help you negotiate that dilemma. 

With our extensive knowledge of local businesses, schools and non-profits we will often be able to suggest that place where a partner might find that “perfect fit” based on their skills, experiences and personal goals. We are in contact with regional employers every day and find that middle management and executive level jobs often go unadvertised locally due to the perception that there is no one to fill them. We also find that employers will create a job if presented with someone with a set of skills that can improve their business.

Together we can turn this problem into an opportunity!

For additional information please contact Maggie Gilbert, CDO Workforce at (607) 832-5781 or maggie.gilbert@co.delaware.ny.us 
CDO Workforce Disability Employment Resources
Programs & Learning
Bassett Healthcare







ACCES-VR assists individuals with disabilities to prepare for, achieve and maintain employment through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development
More Resources
Please visit out our website and Facebook Page for more...
Check out our website for more valuable resources and articles.

You can visit our website's blog (on our front page) throughout the month to see new events and opportunities.

We post them on our Facebook page too--along with the most recent local job openings and partner news. Please "Like" our page and share our posts.

Thank you!


Main Street, Oneonta, Circa 1909
Stay Well!
Next Month's Issue:
Do you have something you'd like to share? Something for the calendar? An announcement, community news, program news, staff news, success story or personal achievement? Photos are always welcome! Please email  Jodi Delapaz,
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. This product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.