UPMC Health Plan job readiness partnership leads unemployed Pennsylvanians back to work
Nearly two million Pennsylvanians have filed for regular unemployment compensation since the pandemic-related mitigations began in March 2020. That’s a lot of people – and although some have returned to their old jobs, many may never return to their previous positions. Considering that many individuals were unemployed or underemployed before the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to rethink some of the ways our region approaches job readiness. We need a different approach that builds and supports trusted community relationships and collaborations, such as those embraced by UPMC Health Plan and UPMC’s “Pathways to Work” initiative.
UPMC launches EMS training program for low-income individuals
The initiative, called Freedom House 2.0, will provide emergency medical services training to people from economically disadvantaged communities. It aims to address social determinants of health as well as help support those who have experienced job losses amid the pandemic.
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Pittsburgh-based UPMC and UPMC Health Plan have launched an initiative to recruit, train and employ first responders from economically disadvantaged communities, many of whom have lost their jobs and are experiencing income insecurity amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The program, dubbed Freedom House 2.0, will provide emergency medical services training in two, 10-week sessions to individuals from disadvantaged communities. Recruiting efforts will focus on those between 18 and 24 years and those who have lost jobs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dan LaVallee, director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact, said in a phone interview. Partic