8/1/2009 10:01:00 PM DES lends a helping hand in hard times
Jason Soifer/ The Daily Courier Petra Bennett, right, vocational rehabilitation counselor with DES, helps Terry Jenkins with an online job search at the Prescott Valley Library.
Jenkins is a former house painter who found himself out of a job in the wake of the global recession.
Hoping to land work in the shipping and receiving sector, Jenkins found his outlook a little cloudy because he couldn't afford to buy the new glasses he needed to pass his driver's license exam.
This past fall, Jenkins went to the Arizona Department of Economic Security's Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Jenkins eventually connected with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Petra Bennett and ultimately got the new glasses.
"It's been a great help - Petra's done a lot for me," he said.
Bennett's caseload includes roughly 75 people with whom she works to help them find jobs and become self-sufficient.
"My goal as a counselor is to help people become independent and take care of their lives and work lives," she said.
With resources and staffing taking hits from all sides these days, the agency's employees deeply care about the people coming in for all types of help and do their best to get it for them.
Marie Fullerton, program services evaluator, said one of the effects of the soft economy means some people are searching for jobs for the first time in years.
"Not only is this a shock to them and their families, but these folks haven't been on an interview in 30 years," she said. "Once that job is gone, the snowball runs very quickly. It runs very fast."
And Fullerton said it goes beyond a person simply coming in for job help. Some need things like diapers for their children or shoes, according to Fullerton.
"No one can interview if they haven't eaten in two days," she said.
Brenda Rackley, district program manager, said the help even extends to getting an abused person a set of teeth so that they can go to a job interview with confidence.
The people who work at the agency are happy to go the extra mile to help get someone back on their feet emotionally and financially.
"It's a matter of what else can we do for you," said Kris Davidson, human resources unit supervisor.
Jim Ramm, a local veteran's employment representative, agreed. "It's not a job," he said. "It's a passion."
Agency staffers say they work with others in the community, make referrals outside of the office and streamline processes, according to Phil Clayton, who works in the agency's rehabilitation services administration.
"I think it is more with less and it does take a little longer," he said.
While Jenkins got his license back five months ago, he's still looking for a job.
"I'm determined not to give up," he said. "It's the longest I've been unemployed and it's not a good feeling. I want to work."
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2009
Article comment by:
Liz Toone
The good people of Voc Rehab and Job Service are doing the very best they can, given the financial constraints they are working under.
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2009
Article comment by:
Grundlecat
Blame your esteemed Governor, don't blame the staff enforcing the rules established by the Legislature and Governor Brewer. Hordes of people have been laid off from AHCCCS - which is short for "Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System" so you get an idea of the officially stated goal of the program. The staff at Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service have nothing to do with your medical. There have also been layoffs and cutbacks from Family Assistance, Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services among many other agencies under the DES umbrella.
Ma'am, if your spouse is unable to work due to those blood clots you may be eligible for assistance through Social Security disability and Medicaid. Also check with Community Health Services. Good luck!!!
Posted: Sunday, August 02, 2009
Article comment by:
FED UP WITH DES
OFFERS SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE!!! MY HUSBAND WHO HAS ONGOING LIFE THREATENING BLOOD CLOTS THAT REQUIRE LIFE LONG MEDICATION AND TREATMENT, WAS JUST RECENTLY THROWN OFF AHCCCS (THRU DES) BECAUSE I AS THE SOLE PROVIDER, OF A FAMILY OF 5, MADE 10 DOLLARS TOO MUCH ONE MONTH. ALL BECAUSE THE COMPANY I WORK FOR GAVE EMPLOYEES HOLIDAY PAY FOR THE 4TH OF JULY. SO YEA, D.E.S ONLY HELPS A SELECTED FEW.. OH YEA WE ARE TRYING TO FIGHT IT, EVEN HAD HIS DOCTORS WRITE STATING THAT HIS HEALTH IS ON THE LINE AND HE NEEDS SOME SORT OF COVERAGE... BUT D.E.S SENT US A LETTER ON FRIDAY THE 29TH OF JULY THAT AS OF AUG 1ST 2009 HIS MEDICAL HAS BEEN STOPPED. NOT EVEN A PHONE CALL TO TRY TO GET HIM ON SOME OTHER SORT OF MEDICAL... YEA D.E.S SURE IS HELPFUL... THANKS DES FOR EVERY BIT OF STRESS YOU JUST ADDED MY FAMILY!!!! GUESS IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU DO HAVE TO BE AN ILLEGAL TO RECEIVE BENEFITS FOREVER IN THIS STATE!!!
