To provide various training and employment related services to the Bigstone Cree Nation membership and the surrounding communities of Wabasca, Desmarais, Sandy Lake, Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake, and Trout Lake.

Human Services Manager

laurie.okemow@bigstone.ca

Quality Control/Office Coordinator 

evelyn.alook@bigstone.ca

Income Support Worker

email@address.com

Transition Worker

email@address.com

Clients assigned to this sub-category are:

• In need of training to obtain and maintain sustainable employment as identified in their Employment Readiness Assessment and Case Plan; and

• Accepted into an Alberta Human Services (AHS) approved training program on a full-time basis, and have their tuition and books funded by AHS.

• Are not re-locating off-reserve to attend the approved training program.

• Are not attending a program that is funded by the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) such as University/College Entrance Preperation (UCEP).

NOTE:
Clients who are attending AHS training on a part time bases are not eligible for full-time Learner benefit rates; they can be assessed for eligibility for N/ETW benefits.

Effective immediately, Learners who may be temporarily absent from on-reserve to attend a provincial training program, but retain a permanent residence on-reserve, may be eligible for continuing benefits. Such an arrangement should not result in an increase to learner benefits (i.e. shelter).

• Characteristics
  Income Support recipients may apply for education and training that will lead to gainful employment.
  Types of education and training include:

Work FoundationsTraining for Work

• Basic Skills (including Literacy and Numeracy, Life Skills, and Personal Management, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Academic Upgrading

• Technical Entrance Prep

• Workplace Training

• Integrated Training

• Occupational Training

• Transitional Vocational Program (TVP)

• Self Employment Training (SE)

• Aboriginal Training to Employment Program (ATEP)

• First Nation Training to Employment Program

NOTE:
The maximum number of months for which training benefits can be provided is 30 months, except for ESL and TVP which are limited to 12 months. Seewww.alis.gov.ab.ca or www.gov.ab.ca/hre for more information about types of education and training.

Individuals who have been accepted into, or are taking, an education program that is funded by the AANDC Post Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP), continue to receive funding through the Post-Secondary Education Program (PSE). For example, students enrolled in UCEP are eligible to receive funding through PSE, they are no eligible for income support as a Learner under the AANDC Regional Income Support Program.

• Eligibility Criteria

  • Age

    • 18 years or older, or

    • 16 - 17 years old and the spouse/co-habitating partner of an adult (18 years or older), or

    • 16 - 17 years old and deemed to be 'requiring special consideration', or

    • 16 - 17 year old single parent, residing with their parents, and attending a regular k-12 education program on a full-time basis.

  • Out of School for One Year

    • To be eligible as a Learner, a client must be out of regular K-12 school system for 12 consecutive months prior to the training start date.

NOTE:
There are some exceptions for youth who require exceptional consideration.

Payments During the Summer Months

Learner benefits are not issued during the summer months unless the Learner is attending an AHS approved education/training program. Learners are expected to seek employment during the summer months, and may be eligible for benefits as ETW/BFE during the summer months if all eligibility criteria are met.

Expectations
The Issuing Authority is expected to:

• Have a completed Case Plan that was developed with the client and outlines the training required.

Clients are expected to:

• Have collaborated with the Issuing Authority to establish the Case Plan

• Maintain regular contact with the Issuing Authority

• Inform the Issuing Authority of changes in circumstances

• Maintain the same level of commitment and behavior in their training program as an employer would expect in a work situation

• Attend the program regularly

• Maintain satisfactory progress as outlined by the training provider and AHS

• Provide certification of program completion at the end of training

• Inform program officials of the reason for any absences

• Comply with all program policies and practices for student conduct

Clients who are attending AHS training on a part-time basis are not eligible for Learner benefit rates. These clients should be assessed for eligibility for ETW/BFE benefits.

Clients attending an AHS approved training program on a part-time basis are:

• In need of training to obtain and maintain sustainable employment as identified in their Employment Readiness Assessment and Case Plan. Clients may be assessed as unable to participate in full-time training, but able to benefit from part-time training; and

• Accepted into an Alberta Human Services (AHS) approved training program on a part-time basis; and

• Have a Funding Assessment Decision (FAD) indicating they are in receipt of a Skills Investment Bursary or and AHS Part-time Bursary.

• Are not relocating off-reserve to attend the approved training program.

A reasonable allowance for childcare may be provided to recipients;

• Who are attending an AHS approved training program as a Learner when all adults in the household are working, attending training, or participating in an active job search.

Guiding Principles

• It is expected that parents make arrangements with family, friends and neighbors for the care of children on a mutual exchange arrangements whenever possible.

• The least costly child care option is encouraged taking into account safety an well being requirements of the children.

Rate

• Actual, reasonable cost of private babysitting.

• The actual cost of day care, less the amount of any day care subsidy provided.

• $150.00 per month per child to grandparents who do not have custody or live in the child's home. (The clients verbal statement is acceptable substantiation).

• Lunch Programs: where applicable school lunch program fees may be paid instead of babysitting.

• Out of School Programs: actual cost for an out of school program may be paid for children under 12 instead of babysitting where applicable.

NOTE:
Parents, stepparents, members of the household unit, or individuals sharing the residence fo not recieve babysitting costs.

Substantiation
A receipt or written statement from the childcare provider containing:

• The provider's signature; and

• Monthly cost

• Client advise the Issuing Authority of changes in their childcare needs.

Deposit and Registration Fee
The actual cost of a refundable deposit and/or registration fee for a day care/licensed day home is provided when required to a maximum of one month's childcare fee.

• Provide self assessment tools to identify skills, interests, and values.

• Provide career planning research resources

• Assist clients with the "Transition from School to Work".

• Provide information on short term skill development programs, career and occupational information.

• Assist clients to access career, post-secondary training internet sites.

• Provide post secondary calendars and human resource material.

• Financial Assistance may be available for training for employment.

• Assist clients with a Career Action Plan

• Provide current labour market information-Automated Job Bank

• Provide skill inventory and self-assessment

• Assist with resumes and cover letters

• Conduct mock interviews

• Discuss job maintenance/employer expectations

• Inform clients about Employment Standards

• Assist with Job Placement by networking with employers

• Provide job search techniques, resources, and materials

• Access to computer, printer, photo-copier, fax and telephone

• Register to be on a Labour Force List for job referrals and leads

• Job Search Workshops

• Resume writing & cover letter writing

• Interview techniques

• Skills inventory

• Career Planning

• Job Retention

• Employer Expectations

• Why stay in School?

• Organize employer presentations to clients/students

• We may be able to provide financial support to clients who meet the eligibility requirements for various short term training programs to increase employability skills such as, but not limited to:

• Safety Ticket Training

• Computer Technician Training

• Trades: Carpentry, Welding, Pipefitting, Millwright, Automotive Mechanic, Electrician, etc.

• Waste Water Management

• Special Needs Assistant Program

• Dental Hygienist

• Residential Aide Training

• Teacher Assistant Training

• Heavy Equipment Operator, Logging

• By-law Enforcement Officer Training

• Petroleum Employment Training (P.E.T.) Program

• Wildland Type II Firefighter Training

• Provide up-to-date information such as steps needed to obtain apprenticeship

• Guide students to the apprenticeship board website to research trades

• Assist instructors set up work experience if required

• Advocate to create partnerships with training institutions, employers and other funding agencies