Pennsylvania was one of the six states awarded the National Health Emergency Dislocated Workers Demonstration Grant administered by the Department of Labor & Industry to provide job training and employment support to those affected by the Opioid Crisis. The purpose of this grant is to offer training opportunities to those affected by the opioid crisis in order to gather the skills needed to obtain a sustainable wage, provide support to those enrolled for childcare and transportation in order to return to the workforce while also educating the public through informational workshops about Opioid Awareness.
The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc., the Title I provider for the PA CareerLink® in Westmoreland and Fayette County, has been successful in providing Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training to its staff. This training allows staff to best determine the level of need of those entering the program, discuss addition behaviors with the participants and then refer them to the appropriate treatment. All staff is also trained to administer a brief survey to PA CareerLink® customers to help identify potential candidates for this program. In addition, the PA CareerLink® and the Private Industry Council have worked with local Centers of Excellence, Rehabilitation Centers, Drug and Alcohol Commissions and many other partnering agencies to assist in identifying those who have been affected themselves, by a family member, by a friend or by the environment in which they live.
The program also provides training opportunities for participants to attend a workshop with Mr. Regis Lazor, Behavior Analyst and owner of Behavior & Learning Support LLC, in order to have a deeper understanding of how opioids work in your body, the behaviors they cause, how to confront anxiety and stress and knowing your body’s pattern. Participants are also encouraged to enroll in a training program such as Certified Recovery Specialist, EMT training or a related field in order to continue helping others in the same situation.
To date we have served 42 participants in this grant. 12 in the Certified Recovery Specialist training with Penn State Beaver, 9 in customized training with Mutual Aid Ambulance and have sent several others to training that will allow them to obtain a self-sustaining wage.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by the Opioid Crisis, please contact Aimee Firtz at (724) 755-2330 Ext. 104 to see what opportunities may be available to you.
*Read more about Opioid Grant Funding online
