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The Center for Benefits & Services offers three-hour workshops on a full range of government programs and publicly subsidized housing, geared to the social service professional. Standard workshops provide the participants with the opportunity to apply knowledge through case examples and question & answer. Participants receive an easy-to-follow workbook complete with listings of local government offices, valuable resources, advocacy tips and more. We also offer specialized topics in which our customers indicate an interest, many of these are conducted by attorneys who specialize in the field. Workshop fees are $40 per person. For a complete list of upcoming workshops, visit our Site Downloads section to the right.The Center for Benefits and Services (CBS)
invite you to attend the
Winter 2012 Training Series
invite you to attend the
Winter 2012 Training Series
All trainings are held at 105 East 22nd Street, 4th Floor, Conference Room 4A
Doors open at 9 a.m., refreshments are served. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m.
Doors open at 9 a.m., refreshments are served. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m.
How the workshops are conducted: The training will provide opportunities to apply knowledge through case examples and question and answer. Participants will receive an easy-to-follow workbook for use when working with clients.
REGISTER ONLINE
FEBRUARY 2012
HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA)
Speaker (s): Pete Kempner, South Brooklyn Legal Services
The HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) provides financial and social services to individuals and families living with AIDS or symptomatic HIV. The training will cover HASA eligibility and applications; the benefits provided, including rent enhancement, home care, and the nutrition & transportation supplement; how HASA clients are budgeted, including changes to SSI budgeting rules and the budgeting of earned income; and advocacy.
Date:Wednesday, February 15th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Immigrants’ Eligibility for Public Benefits
Speaker (s): Diane Wenzler, Community Service Society
Immigrants face additional challenges when trying to access public benefits. Eligibility for public benefit programs is often restricted to those who are “qualified aliens.” We will review which immigrants are qualified aliens and which qualified aliens are eligible for SSI, Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid, as well as other benefit programs. In addition, we will discuss the rules surrounding sponsor deeming, issues of public charge, and reporting requirements.
Note: This workshop will not discuss how an immigrant can naturalize or become legal in the U.S.
Date:Wednesday, February 29th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Demonstration of Benefits Plus
Speaker (s): Center for Benefits and Service Staff
Benefits Plus is the Community Service Society’s (CSS) comprehensive online public benefits manual for health and human service professionals who work in NYC. A one stop resource manual on 60 different federal, state and local government benefit and housing programs and services, it is filled with information on how programs work, who qualifies, application and recertification procedures, return to work provisions, appeal procedures, and more. During the workshop you will learn what’s in Benefits Plus and how to effectively navigate it so you can find the information you need quickly and easily. Find out about our free resources, such as the Food Stamp Calculator. And you will have the opportunity to sign up for a free 30 day trial run. Come and discover why Benefits Plus will save you time, make your work easier, and help you become a more effective advocate.
Date:Wednesday, February 29th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free
MARCH 2012
Overview of the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) and Converting from Advantage
Speaker (s): Susan Bahn, The Legal Aid Society
This training will give an overview of the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) including who qualifies for the program, how the subsidy is calculated, how to apply, documentation requirements and the process when a family moves. Participants will also get an update on the Advantage program in addition to how current (or past) Advantage recipients can covert to FEPS.
Note: There is a separate 6 day training to become a State approved FEPS provider.
Date:Thursday, March 1st
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Part I: Overview of the Criminal Justice System
Speaker (s): Paul Keefe, Community Service Society
More than 1 in 3 New Yorkers have a criminal record. Part 1 of this training will provide the basic knowledge of the criminal justice system so advocates will be better equipped to assist their clients with obtaining public benefits and housing, the focus of Part 2 of this training. Part 1 will cover the fundamentals of the criminal justice system, including the path of a criminal case, warrants, types of offenses, juvenile proceedings, criminal records and sealing. We will also cover RAP (record of arrests and prosecution) sheets, which can be a roadblock for individuals with a criminal record trying to re-enter the workforce. We will describe what RAP sheets are and how to correct errors.
Date:Wednesday, March 7th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Introduction to NYCHA Public Housing
Speaker (s): Dave Robinson, Community Service Society
This is an introductory workshop for tenant advocates and social service providers on helping clients obtain and keep their NYCHA apartments. The training will cover eligibility criteria, priority codes, rent calculations, apartment transfers, recertification procedures, grounds for eviction, grievance and appeal procedures, and community service requirements.
Date:Wednesday, March 14th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Criminal Justice System: Part 2: Impact on Employment, Public Benefits and Public Housing
Speaker(s): Speaker (s): Paul Keefe, Community Service Society
Part 2 of this training will cover the legal and practical consequences of obtaining employment and accessing to public benefits and public housing for those with a criminal record. It is important for advocates to understand the different ways in which a criminal record impacts a client’s ability to obtain and retain employment and benefits. We will also explore the methods available to help clients overcome these barriers, including practical tips on how to prove your client has been rehabilitated.
Note: Knowledge of basic Cash Assistance and Public Housing and Section 8 is required.
Date:Wednesday, March 21st
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Work Requirements for Cash Assistance
Speaker (s): Don Friedman, Empire Justice Center, and Susan Welber, The Legal Aid Society
Under New York’s strict welfare work rules, nearly all adult Cash Assistance recipients must participate in some form of work-related activities. This training will cover the evaluation of employability, the assessment and assignment processes, the right to supportive services, rights with regards to education and training, and the sanction process.
Note: Knowledge of Cash Assistance eligibility and application requirements is required.
Date:Thursday, March 22nd
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Housing Court Process
Speaker (s): Dave Robinson, Community Service Society
This workshop provides an overview of the housing court process including descriptions of the types of proceedings commenced in housing court with a focus on typical nonpayment proceedings to illustrate how one negotiates their way through housing court and common defenses a tenant may employ. Additionally, the role of the Housing Court Answers will be covered.
Date:Wednesday, March 28th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Demonstration of Benefits Plus
Speaker (s): Center for Benefits and Service Staff
Benefits Plus is the Community Service Society’s (CSS) comprehensive online public benefits manual for health and human service professionals who work in NYC. A one stop resource manual on 60 different federal, state and local government benefit and housing programs and services, it is filled with information on how programs work, who qualifies, application and recertification procedures, return to work provisions, appeal procedures, and more. During the workshop you will learn what’s in Benefits Plus and how to effectively navigate it so you can find the information you need quickly and easily. Find out about our free resources, such as the Food Stamp Calculator. And you will have the opportunity to sign up for a free 30 day trial run. Come and discover why Benefits Plus will save you time, make your work easier, and help you become a more effective advocate.
Date:Wednesday, March 28th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free
How to Register:
For Questions regarding trainings:
CBS Trainings:
Migdalia Molina
212.614.5497
Fall 2011 Training Series