President Obama Signs Legislation to Extend Dates for Unemployment Benefit Extensions

On December 19th, Congress approved legislation to extend the eligibility dates for benefit extensions. As a result, individuals who exhaust regular unemployment benefits by February 21, 2010, or a tier of EUC by February 28, 2010, will be able to move to the next tier. New York State now provides 73 additional weeks of unemployment benefits, as well as the usual 26 weeks of regular benefits. These benefits may be claimed in the usual manner, and it is not necessary to file a new claim unless the individual is advised to do so. For more information visit the New York State Department of Labor website.

Career Readiness Training Program

Are you struggling to make ends meet? Are you widowed, divorced, separated & unemployed, underemployed or receiving Public Assistance? If so, you may be eligible for a Career Readiness Training Program at the Suffolk County Department of Labor's Displaced Homemaker's Resource Center. This program begins Thursday, January 7th & continues to Friday, January 29th. It will be held at the One-Stop Employment Center in Hauppauge. Classes run from 9:30AM to 1:00PM each day. Registration is required & starts Tuesday, January 5th at 10:00AM. Call (631) 853-6540 to confirm eligibility & to enroll.

Long Island Job Fair

Meet companies hiring in your home town at the Long Island Job Fair on Thursday January 21st from 11AM to 2PM. The job fair will take place at the Melville Marriott Long Island. Parking is free. You can register online to gain access to the company list & add your resume to the database to get in front of employers attending the event.

Stony Brook Government Job & Internship Fair for College Students

Stony Brook University is hosting the first Government Career Fair on January 15th from 12PM-4PM at the Stony Brook Sports Complex Arena. This Career Fair is intended for Stony Brook students as well as students from other Long Island Colleges & Universities. Student ID's will be required at registration. For directions please click here. For more information please contact the Stony Brook Career Center at (631) 632-6810 or email careercenter@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.

Veterans Green Jobs Academy

Veterans can now advance their skills through a Green Jobs Training Program. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy provides intensive education, training & career development services for military veterans interested in pursuing careers in green industries. The Academy provides both classroom-based & on-the-job training opportunities for military veterans in green jobs sectors. Incorporating college degree programs, intensive residential programs, on-the-job training & Conservation Corps programs, the Veteran Green Jobs Academy curriculum is designed to advance veterans' skill sets in ways that can be immediately applied to the marketplace, as well as provide accredited programs leading to both 2 & 4-year degrees. This program is based in Colorado and will be expanded into 4 States in 2010. To apply to Green Jobs Academy please click here. For more information please visit the Veterans Green Jobs website at http://www.veteransgreenjobs.org/.

Civil Service Exam Information Now Available Via Internet

With the click of a mouse, residents & agencies can now sign up to receive an e-mail notification about civil service examinations that are scheduled across the county plus a link to pertinent announcements. This e-Update system is simple and easy to use. Anyone interested in signing up to receive the latest notice regarding upcoming exams can access the services from the county's home page at http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/. Once there, click on Subscribe to our e-Updates, fill in your name & e-mail address & hit "submit".

New York State's myBenefits

New York State agencies & departments have many resources available to help working families make ends meet. In May of 2008, New York State introduced myBenefits, a new website that allows New Yorkers to complete a simple online prescreening to determine whether they are likely to qualify for multiple benefits including food stamps, home energy assistance, Earned Income Tax Credits, child & dependent care credits, Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus & school lunch programs. Unemployment benefits can only stretch so far, so take advantage of the benefits & services offered through the myBenefits website. For those of you facing the loss of unemployment benefits, collecting unemployment, or just having a hard time getting by financially, visit myBenefits.ny.gov to see what assistance may be available to you.

United States Census Bureau On Site Recruitment

The United States Census Bureau will hold Onsite Recruitment days on Friday December 18th at 10AM, Monday December 21st at 10AM & December 28th at 1PM. These sessions will take place at the Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center in Hauppauge. United States Census Bureau representative Barbara Esposito will present an overview of the field representative position, including career paths. There will also be a test for interested individuals. Space is limited so reserve your space early. Reserve your spot by calling (631) 853-6600.

Summer 2010 White House Internship Program

The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience & build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor & cultivate today's young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office & prepare them for future public service opportunities. The White House has recently launched a new internship program for the summer of 2010. To learn more about the Summer 2010 White House Internship Program, the application process & who is eligible to apply for this internship visit the White House Internship Program website.

Troops To Teachers

Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education & Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in the public schools where their skills, knowledge & experience are most needed. The New York State Troops to Teachers Program assists registrants in this national program by providing counseling regarding New York State certification requirements, information on routes to New York State certification & assistance in their efforts to attain employment in public schools throughout New York State. To speak with a New York State Troops to Teachers Coordinator please call (518) 474-4661 or emial nysedttt@mail.nysed.gov.

GED Programs Available to Huntington Residents

Huntington School District residents finding themselves without a high school diploma should consider participating in one of several programs that lead to a general equivalency diploma. Through Huntington’s adult education program, BOCES offers residents free GED classes two evenings per week at Huntington High School.

This spring, the free GED classes will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Participants receive assistance in reading, math and general basic skills and are also provided with career information. The course prepares residents to take the state GED exam.

For more information about the adult education program, call 673-2010 or send an e-mail to adulted@hufsd.edu.

The Town of Huntington’s Project Excel also offers free GED classes, tutoring and workshops three days a week at the Village Green Center at 423 Park Avenue. For more information call 271-5499.

The Family Service League periodically offers a GED course based upon the demand for it. For more information call 427-3700.

Youth Career Center

The Suffolk County Department of Labor has a Youth Career Center that offers employment related services to Suffolk County Youth. Their services include career counseling, resume preparation, computer labs, job listings, vocational training, video library, phones & fax machines for job search & career exploration via Career Zone & Choices. They also offer a variety of programs for economically disadvantaged youth. These programs include an In- School Youth Work Experience Program, Out-Of School Youth Work Experience Program & Summer Youth Employment Program. For more information about the Youth Career Center please call (631) 853-6526 or email them at youth.careercenter@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Starting Your Own Business

Do you want to explore Career Paths and embark on a new Career Direction? Why not explore your dream of owning a small business? On Wednesday, December 16th a representative from the New York State Small Business Development Center will discuss how to start your own business and become a small business owner. The program will take place at the Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center from 9:30 AM-11:30 AM. Space is limited so reserve early. Call (631) 853-6600 today to reserve your spot.

United States Census Bureau Onsite Recruitment

The United States Census Bureau will hold an Onsite Recruitment day on Thursday, December 3rd from 10AM-2PM at the Riverhead One-Stop Employment Center. Geri Sheridan, a United States Census Bureau representative, will present an overview of job positions & will follow with a test for all approved individuals. For qualification information & to reserve your spot please call (631) 852-2014.

New Unemployment Benefits Calculator Now Available

There is a new Unemployment Benefits Calculator available on the New York State Department of Labor website. The calculator estimates the maximum number of weeks a claimant could potentially receive based on the effective date of the Original Claim & provided that they have been claiming full weeks of benefits since the beginning of their claim & there are no breaks in their claim. For more information please visit the New York State Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance website.