FirstStep logo How to Use FirstStep Home
General Tips
Benefit Programs
Tools & Resources
search Printer Version
Employment Assistance

Employment Assistance

Your client can access a variety of employment and training services through the One-Stop Career Center system. Here are some tips on accessing those services for your clients.


Tips:

> Use America's Service Locator to Find the Nearest One-Stop Career Center
> There Are Three Levels of Service
> Make an Appointment for Your Client Ahead of Time
> Go with Your Client to His/Her First Appointment
> Help Your Client Prepare for His/Her First Appointment
> Utilize the Job Search Resources Offered by One-Stop Career Centers
> Make Sure Your Client Can be Reached Via Phone or Email
> Access One-Stop Services Online

For more detailed information on One-Stop, scroll down.

Use America's Service Locator to Find the Nearest One-Stop Career Center
You can visit www.servicelocator.org to find your nearest One-Stop Career Center. There are two types of One-Stop Centers: comprehensive and affiliate. Comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers provide access to all the services described here, either on-site, or through referral. Affiliate One-Stop Career Centers have some, but not all of the services available. When helping your client locate a local One-Stop Career Center, be sure to look for a comprehensive One-Stop Center. When using www.servicelocator.org, all the centers in the area are identified as comprehensive or affiliate, and you can view the available services for each center by clicking on the icon for “Detailed Info” next to each center listing. When using the toll-free helpline at 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627) and TTY: 1-877-TTY-JOBS (1-877-889-5627), to locate a One-Stop Career Center, be sure to ask for a comprehensive One-Stop Center.

There Are Three Levels of Service
One-Stop Career Centers offer three levels of service: Core, such as eligibility assessment and job search; Intensive, such as literacy skills enhancement and job clubs; and Training, such as on-the-job training and occupational skills training. Clients are assessed by the local One-Stop Career Center as to what services they need and are eligible to receive.

Make an Appointment for Your Client Ahead of Time
Call your local One-Stop Career Center ahead of time to make an appointment for your client. To find the local One-Stop Center nearest you, visit www.servicelocator.org or call toll-free 1-877-US2-JOBS or TTY: 1-877-TTY-JOBS (1-877-889-5627).

Go With Your Client to His/Her First Appointment
Go with your client to his/her first appointment if possible. It may be helpful for you to get a sense of the services available at the center.

Help Your Client Prepare for His/Her First Appointment
Tell your client to bring to the appointment information and documents related to his/her job history and income (i.e., pay stubs). Important documents might include a resume, a letter from a previous employer, or a Reduction In Force (RIF) notice, if applicable. This kind of documentation helps One-Stop staff determine what services your client needs and is eligible to receive.

Utilize the Job Search Resources Offered by One-Stop Career Centers
Your client can get help with a resume or practice interviewing skills, among other things. Most centers have phones, faxes, printers, and computers for use by job seekers.

Make Sure Your Client Can be Reached Via Phone or E-mail
Once your client begins a job search, potential employers may want to contact him/her. Because your client may be unreachable by telephone or e-mail, you could provide that service for him/her. One-Stop Career Centers may also help by offering temporary e-mail or voicemail access.

Access One-Stop Services Online
Much of the job search and labor market information (core services) that One-Stop Career Centers offer are available on the Internet at www.careeronestop.org. There is also a tool, called the Career One-Stop Coach, which is available at www.careeronestopcoach.org, to assist with navigating the Web site.

More detailed information on the One-Stop Career Center system:

Overview
Services for Adults, Age 18 and older
Services for Youth, Age 14 –24
Contact Information
One-Stop Q&A
One-Stop Fact Sheet