An update from Earl Buford, CEO, for April 13, 2020

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf Governor Tom Wolf announced the PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I)'s plan to implement federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits, and extends unemployment compensation (UC) benefits for an additional 13 weeks. A summary of Gov. Wolf's announcement can be found in Partner4Work's most recent policy briefing.  

Other key updates:

• L&I today launched the COVID-19 hiring portal, a streamlined virtual hub for Pennsylvania businesses and job seekers looking to hire or be hired for life-sustaining positions. The L&I press release announcing the launch also includes information about an online intake form local businesses can use to quickly post surge hiring opportunities. This form also is available at CareerLinkPittsburgh.com.
• P4W and its partners in PA CareerLink Allegheny County strive to bring flexibility and innovation to the system. To that end, immediate hiring opportunities are highlighted at CareerLinkPittsburgh.com, and staff is working diligently to deliver flexible enrollment options for individuals seeking specialized services.
• Like you, Partner4Work continues to follow and participate in virtual forums related to COVID-19. Last week P4W participated in NAIOP Pittsburgh's forum on the Economy & Workforce, Allegheny County Department of Human Services' daily partner briefing, and the Hill Community Development Corporation's Community Forum. This week, Chief Program Officer Susie Puskar joins Human Services Center Corporation Executive Director Dave Coplan in a webinar series for nonprofits navigating COVID-19. The full agenda for this robust series, presented by The Pittsburgh Foundation and global law firm Jones Day, can be found at https:// pittsburghfoundation.org/ covid-webinar-series.
• P4W's online resources and virtual training opportunities continue to be updated regularly. Please share these resources broadly. More, the most recent weekly strategy and challenge-mitigation session with front-line providers is available on YouTube.
• To best inform the Board of Directors, P4W has implemented a biweekly virtual meeting schedule, with the next session to be held at 8:30 a.m. April 17. More information is available at www.partner4work.org. Similarly, the Learn & Earn Advisory Council - a committee of County, City, and Partner4Work representatives, and a member-at-large - also will move to a biweekly schedule to immediately respond to any program changes needed as a result of COVID-19. While the Council continues to assess changes, Learn & Earn applications are accepted at jobs4summer.org. Please continue to encourage young adults to apply for the program.
• P4W strives to provide timely and critical information to its stakeholders. Please complete this short survey about the information delivered. You may choose to remain anonymous. Thank you in advance for helping to shape our communications in the future.
  
  Earl Buford, CEO
  Partner4Work