For Employers

People Helping People
Supported employment provides unique benefits to both employers and people looking for work. Employers involved with the program are viewed as partners who share a goal of giving back to their communities.  At no cost, participating employers have the opportunity to:
  

• Gain immediate access to prescreened job applicants, with skills and qualifications that are matched to needs. 
• Get additional support and on-the-job coaching for employees who may need it.
• Qualify for tax savings of up to 40 percent through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

Watch the following video clips to help answer some of the most common employer questions.
Why Should I Hire Someone with Mental Illness? 

Click on the following links to hear personal accounts for employers from Griff McClure, Employment Counselor from Denver:

1)  Types of mental illness in the workplace

2)  Accommodations, costs and other employer issues

Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax credit that encourages employers to hire job seekers most in need of employment and on-the-job experience.  Targeted at specific groups, such as SSI recipients, disconnected youth and ex-felons, the WOTC is designed to help move people from welfare into gainful employment and economic self-sufficiency.

By participating in the WOTC Program, employers still make their own hiring decisions, and they can hire as many individuals who qualify for these tax savings as they want.  The current WOTC can be as much as:

• $2,400 generally for each new adult hire
• $1,200 for each summer youth hire
• $4,800 for each new disabled veteran hire
• $9,000 for each new long-term Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipient hired over a two-year period

To claim the tax credit, employers must complete minimal paperwork, including certification from the state workforce agency (SWA) that the new hire is a member of one of the target job seeker groups.  Originally started in 1996, Congress has re-authorized the WOTC program every year and currently continues to accept applications.  More information and instructions on how to apply can be found here. 

Some of Colorado’s Supported Employment Partners:

ACE Hardware
Aramark
Argus Event Staffing
Barnes & Noble
Boston Market
Circle K
Coors
Colorado Baggage
Costco
Dairy Queen
Denny’s
Dish Network
Evergreen Parks & Recreation
GNC  
Goodwill Industries
HoneyBaked Ham
Jefferson County Public Schools
KFC
King Soopers
K Mart
La Quinta
Little Caesar’s Pizza
Lowe’s
McDonald’s
Modern Day Spa
National Jewish Hospital
Old Chicago
Oxford Hotel
Panera Bread
Peak Nursing
Premier Food Service
Ruby Tuesday’s
Sam’s Club
Sinclair Gas Station
Skin Care Colorado Dermatologist
Souper Salad
Target
Taco Bell
The Book Nook
TJ Maxx
University of Colorado
UPS Walgreens
Walmart
Xerox Corporation
24Hour Fitness
24/7 Restoration
 

For more information about how you can become a part of Colorado’s supported employment program, contact John Hamilton at the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health, 303.866.7427, or John.Hamilton1@state.co.us.