50+ Lifestyles

Older Worker Enrollment Program

By Peggy Dykes
Community Relations Director
Milestone’ Area Agency on Aging

Finding the right fit for employment can be difficult for anyone, but it can seem particularly overwhelming for people who are a little older, and who are dealing with the complications of a disability.

The Older Worker Employment Program is a partnership between Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), Iowa Department on Aging, and Milestones Area Agency on Aging. This program assists job candidates to find and maintain meaningful, competitive employment. Applicants must live in Iowa, be age 55 and older, diagnosed with a disability that is a barrier to employment and supported through an open case with IVRS (i.e. not on the waiting list).

An Employment Specialist meets regularly with the job candidate to accomplish the employment goal that has been set. Support is given as the job candidate builds a resume, identifies references, strategically searches and applies for open positions, sets up informational interviews and job shadow opportunities, practices answering typical interview questions, and ultimately accepts a job offer.

Additionally, the Employment Specialist provides periodic follow-up support for a year after the hire date, to ensure that both the new employee and employer are satisfied, and to help address any issues or questions that might arise.

There is no cost to participate, but you do need to be referred to this program by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at IVRS. If you do not currently have a VR Counselor, Milestones’ employment specialist can assist you to get started with the IVRS application and orientation process. Once you have completed that process and have been assigned to a VR Counselor (and removed from any waiting lists), job-searching support from an Employment Specialist can begin.

Please feel free to contact the Milestones’ employment specialist at (855) 410-6222 with any questions about the services and supports available through the Older Worker Employment Program.  Milestones’ service area includes Scott, Muscatine, Clinton plus 14 more counties in southeast Iowa.

Peggy Dykes is Community Relations Director at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She can be reached at (563) 324-9085, ext. 212 or at pdykes@milestones aaa.org.