Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services

Employment Coalition

Welcome to the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Employment Coalition!

     Did you know that hiring people with disabilities can improve your company’s bottom line, reduce turnover, show customers you value the community and bring other incentives? The Employment Coalition is here to help whether you are a job seeker, family member, educator, supports coordinator or a support worker.

Mission Statement

     The Mission of the Employment Coalition is to promote employment for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. We are a diverse group of stakeholders that includes (and has included) individuals, parents, community members, teachers, OVR representatives, Supports Coordinators, ODP representatives, Employment providers, Administrative Entity, Employers, and Transition Counselors.
     We share resources on employment to help transitional youth and adults develop job skills, gain vocational training, and/or find competitive employment. We work with local Project Search programs which offer internships to students in their last year of high school.
     We work with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to promote their Early Reach, pre-employment transition program, work experiences, Discovery, and supported employment services. We provide information on registration with the Administrative Entity so transitional youth and adults can access Office of Developmental Program funded employment pilot, Discovery, supported employment, small group employment opportunities.
     We also conduct outreach activities with the community and employers to promote hiring people with disabilities. If you are interested in joining the Employment Coalition, contact James Furiosi at 570 420-1900, ext 3434.

Employment First
Pennsylvania is an Employment First State. The process is everyone who is interested in employment, small group employment or prevocational services is referred to OVR. This rule does not apply if the person is over the age of 25 and desires small group or prevocational. It always applies to supported employment.

Employment Resources
For OVR referrals, call the local district office or apply online at: www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.
  • Allentown District Office (Monroe, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton): 610-821-6441
  • Wilkes-Barre District Office (Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna, Bradford, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Colombia, Tioga, Wyoming): 570-826-2011
CareerLink (Workforce Development)
  • Carbon County 570 325-2701
  • Monroe County 570 620-2850
  • Pike County 570 296-2909
Benefits Counseling
Are you worried that working would affect your benefits? Here are resources that can assist.

Ticket to Work Helpline:
 Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
 Employer Incentives for Hiring Workers with Disabilities - Many employers inquire about job accommodations and it they are needed when hiring people with disabilities. Here are tax incentives businesses can use when hiring people with disabilities.