Employment Transitions/Community Resources

Employees are the most vital resource in our District.  Every member our school family is a valued part of our team and makes unique contributions that positively impact the lives of children each and every day. 

Unfortunately, our budget crisis has necessitated many difficult decisions that will impact both employees and programs for students.  During the last three years of budget cuts, the District has streamlined operations as much as possible to absorb multi-million dollar cuts while protecting the classroom and our employees.  As you are aware, our District is facing a projected shortfall that exceeds $55 million dollars for the 2011-2012 school year, and 86% of our current operating budget spent on personnel.  Our leaders are constitutionally obligated to produce a balanced budget and have many statutory mandates that are costly.  These financial pressures and statutory regulations limit the District’s flexibility, yet our Board and Superintendent remain committed to ensuring a high quality educational experience for students. 

We recognize that this difficult situation has strained our entire team, and that there will be implications for many in our school family due to these financial conditions.  These are unprecedented circumstances, and as a District we want to ensure that we provide as much support as possible to all employees during this period of transition.  Hopefully, this website will serve as a valuable resource to all employees, especially those that experience the greatest hardships due to our budgetary shortfall.  It has been designed to serve as a guide for helping employees impacted by the budget to make decisions about next steps for themselves and their families.  Our goal is to ensure that all members of our school family have the support they need to endure this challenging situation and to provide resources for moving forward. 

Resource Links: print a copy of the links referenced on this page.

Employee Assistance Program

For any employee who has exhausted their EAP benefit for the 2010 -2011 school year and has experienced an involuntary position change or loss of position, the District will make available two additional sessions with your counselor.  Please call the EAP office for further information. http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/benefits/eap

813-794-2366   Central Pasco County
727-774-2366   West Pasco County
352-524-2366   East Pasco County

Continuation of Group Benefits

Click here to view or print guidelines for continuation of group health benefits beyond employment with Pasco County Schools. The guidelines contains information about when group health benefits with Pasco County Schools will terminate and which benefits may continued beyond employment. print

Financial and Legal Consultation Services

Horizon Health

are available to all employees, regardless of insurance coverage.  Call 1-866-882-9791 or visit Horizon Health online at http://www.horizoncarelink.com   
     
  User Name: pascoschools       Password: worklife

  Horizon Health Article:  When Change is the Challenge

Connecting Employees in Transition with Community Employers

The Career Central Website provides various programs available to jobseekers in their transition with unemployment.

Connections Job Development Program is available to work with any School District employee who is not under contract for next year and wants to explore other employment options.  Connections is a non-profit agency that provides free resources for any adult job seeker and services include: job search skills training, resume writing and interviewing expertise, one-on-one assistance from a professional job advisor, job leads, computer training, and more.  Connections is located in downtown New Port Richey and if there is enough interest, they will provide special training just for School District employees, though anyone can use their services at any time. 

Please check their website: http://www.connectionsjobdevelopment.org for more information, or call Carla at: 727-849-4724 to register. 

Employ Florida Marketplace is an internet-based employment search system linking all of Florida’s state and local workforce services and resources.  Get started

  Trademark Metals Recycling LLC is the largest full service metal recycler in the Southeast. TMR has 21 locations throughout the State of Florida and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.  Employment Opportunies

Articles and Help Tools

1. 18 Ways To Survive Your Company’s Reorganization, Takeover, Downsizing, or Other Major Change
2. Career Advice: Unemployment and Job Loss Support
3. Job Dislocation: Making Smart Financial Choices after a Job Loss
4. Surviving a Layoff: What to do Once Laid Off
5. Washington Post: How to Survive a Job Lay-off

Filing for Unemployment

Florida Unemployment Compensation
Filing for Unemployment

Resource Guides:

Career Search Resource Guide (print)
Being Effective During a Job Change and a Working Notice Period (print)
Coping with Job Loss (print)

Community Resources and Referral Guide (print)
Multiple resources listed by category of service provided.

Making Home Affordable.gov

Help and Direction for Struggling Homeowners

Making Home Affordable is a key part of the Obama Administration’s effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. If you are struggling with your monthly mortgage payments or have already missed a payment, now is the time to take action. Start today by learning more about the options available to you through Making Home Affordable. 

This site offers assistance and direction for:
• Homeowners facing foreclosure
• Homeowners struggling with mortgage payments
• Homeowners trying to avoid mortgage troubles.

For more information about the Making Home Affordable Program go to:  http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov  or c.all 1-888-995-HOPE (4073).

Florida Hardest Hit Program

The Pasco County Community Development Division is administering the Hardest Hit program, a federally funded program for households that are having difficulties paying their mortgage. In order to qualify, you must be unemployed or have had a reduction of employment income through no fault of your own, and are experiencing a financial hardship. Your total household income must be under 140% of the median income for the Tampa Bay area. Program Description.

You can apply through the offices of Community Development in New Port Richey or Dade City, or on line at https://www.flhardesthithelp.org/

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Benefits Mailing List

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A Message from Mary Tillman

The staff in EBARM wants all employees to be healthy, in mind and body, so they can be ready everyday to do their best for our children. Remember as you access health services that the District is self-insured for all medical, pharmacy and mental health services. Therefore, spend wisely, whenever you can use generics, see a primary care doctor instead of a specialist.

Also, take care of yourself, lose weight if you need to, stop smoking, take your medications as prescribed, and get some exercise. This is all good for your mind, body and wallet.