SWTCIE

Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Program

The Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment or SWTCIE for short is a pilot program funded by the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration. New York is one of 14 states receiving the SWTCIE grant, with NYSED’s Adult Career & Continuing Ed Services (ACCES) as the State grantee. SWTCIE’s goal is to reduce the number of people working for subminimum wages, and increase the number of people who attain competitive, integrated employment. The participants for SWTCIE are people who are currently earning subminimum wage, and people who may be “contemplating” subminimum wage. This could include youth transitioning out of high school and people who are currently engaging in sub minimum wage sheltered workshops.

New York’s SWTCIE will provide enhanced services to participants, including Customized Employment, benefits planning, and opportunities for training and work experiences. The SWTCIE services will be provided by five Independent Living Centers, covering six counties, collaborating with ACCES-VR and the personnel in the sheltered workshops. NYAIL will oversee and provide technical assistance to the ILCs in the six counties. Counties include: Erie, Monroe, Wayne, Nassau, Suffolk, and Cortland Counties

The participating Independent Living Centers will be able to help participants break down barriers that have kept them from competitive integrated employment. The ILCs will work with participants to provide them supports and services to help achieve their employment goals, including benefit counseling, transportation, work readiness, interpersonal skills and other life skills.

For more information, contact:
Erick Selzo
Employment Project Coordinator
(518) 465-4650 Ext 145
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Additional Resources: 

Participating Independent Living Centers

Self- Initiated Living Options, Inc
Gregory Runfola, SWTCIE Program Director
Phone: (631) 880-7929 Ext 151
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Western New York Independent Living, Inc
Shane Keyes, Director of Independent Living Services
Phone: (716) 836-0822 Ext 115
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Regional Center for Independent Living
James Webster, Director of Employment and Youth Services
Phone: 585-442-6470 x 3290
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Access to Independence of Cortland County
Alexandra Mikowski, Executive Director
Phone: (607) 753-7363 Ext 313
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Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc
Susan McCormack, Executive Director
Phone: (516) 796-0144
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