Editor’s Note: This article is the second in a series of two.
By Larry Dandridge
This article continues with more helpful information on SCWorks.org. Veterans and others should use SCWorks.org to find services such as career guidance, the 10 steps of a job search, job referrals, jobs, reading the company’s website in preparation for the interview, interviewing, resume writing, cover letter writing, thank you note writing, dressing for success, maintaining eye contact, avoiding slang, speaking slowly, exhibiting contagious enthusiasm, testing, and training.
Federal bonding
According to the SC Works “Federal Bonding Program (FMP)” web page at https://scworks.org, the Federal Bonding Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and is administered by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. A “Directory of State Bonding Coordinators” can be found on the bonds4jobs.com website.
The FMP Program has offered fidelity insurance as a risk mitigation tool to businesses willing to hire individuals with barriers willing to hire individuals with barriers to employment for more than 50 years. When veterans are faced with barriers to employment, it can disrupt their entire lives. It affects the veteran’s ability to pay their bills and take care of their family. Leveraging the Federal Bonding program can offer assistance with marketing yourself to potential employers by removing perceived barriers. Barriers can encompass many situations for various reasons. Below is an example of what a barrier may look like to an employer:
- Justice-involved individuals with a record of arrest, conviction, or imprisonment; anyone who has ever been on parole or probation or has any police records.
- Recovering addicts who have been rehabilitated through treatment.
- Individuals with poor credit records or those who have declared bankruptcy.
- Individuals lacking a work history.
- Individuals dishonorably discharged from the military.
- Workers who need bonding to prevent being laid off or to secure a promotion.
- Anyone else who needs the bond to get a job.
The coverage can be issued to an employer from $5,000 to $25,000 for the first six months of a newly hired individual’s employment at no cost.
If you are seeking bonding service and/or a job you should call the nearest SC Works Office (https://scworks.org/centers) for a Federal Bonding Voucher. The voucher is not the bond itself, but it provides valuable information to potential employers regarding your eligibility for the employer to receive ‘no cost’ fidelity bonding insurance.
Self-employed and independent contractors cannot be bonded through the Federal Bonding program. Jobseekers should follow the following steps when seeking a Federal Bond Voucher: 1. Register with SC Works. 2. Obtain a Federal Bonding voucher from SC Works. 3. Distribute the voucher with resumes and applications, as needed.
Find the nearest SC Works Office in your area at https://scworks.org/centers. Learn more by downloading and reading “The Federal Bonding Program Brochure” at https://bit.ly/3Uy1dzO.
SC Works job fairs
The SC Works Veterans Portal displays regularly updated listings of veteran-focused hiring events. Job fairs present the opportunity to meet face-to-face with potential employers, submit resumes, ask questions, and make a good first impression. Details on job fairs listed in the SC Works Veterans Portal include their location and time. You can also submit resumes through the system, before the event. View job fairs by clicking the “Job Fairs” button. Register for an SC Works Veterans Portal account to sign up for a specific event or learn which employers are recruiting.
Health and medical links
SC Works provides information on (and links to) the following health and medical programs. Few things are as frustrating as being sick and unable to get care because you just don’t have the money. Federally funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. This locator is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Find a Health Center at https://bit.ly/4b8xrsu. Healthfinder, at https://bit.ly/3y55xPz, has resources on a wide range of health topics selected from more than 1,600 government and nonprofit organizations to bring you the best, most reliable health information on the Internet.
1. Medicaid: Medicaid (see https://www.medicaid.gov)is a federally funded program that provides medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Medicaid is the largest program providing medical and health-related services to America’s poorest people. The S.C. State Medicaid contact phone number for applicants and members is 888-549-0820.
2. Medicare: Medicare (see https://www.medicare.gov/), the nation’s largest health insurance program, covers nearly 48 million Americans. It is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people younger than 65, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).
3. Minority Health Resources: The Office of Minority Health (OMH) (see https://bit.ly/4b1yGtw) was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1985. The mission of the OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic populations – Native Americans and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics/Latinos — through the development of effective health policies and programs.
4. State Health and Human Service Agencies: To learn about services available in your state, consult the list at https://bit.ly/4b82rJb. This is a list of websites for state health and human service agencies.
5. State Children’s Health Insurance Program: The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) (see https://bit.ly/3QvDRd5 and https://www.insurekidsnow.gov) provides free or low-cost health insurance to children who do not qualify for Medicaid coverage, but whose families cannot afford private health insurance. Different states have different eligibility rules, but in general, uninsured children 18 years old and younger whose families earn up to $44,100 a year (for a family of four) are eligible.
The bottom line
There is too much valuable jobseeker information at SCWorks.org online and at the SC Works Centers to put in two articles. So, if you need information on Veteran Services, Career Services, Job Seeker Services, Education Services, Labor Market Services, Community Services and Benefits, Financial Services, Unemployment Services, Employer Services, Youth Services, Senior Services, Disability Services, Workplace Training, Eligibility for Common Programs, and Staff Provided Services, just go online to https://jobs.scworks.org/ or visit your local SC Works Center.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
