Employment Services Overview

The past several years have been a time of tremendous hope for many people affected by HIV/AIDS. While new treatments have not worked for everyone and the longevity of each new treatment's effectiveness is still in doubt, many people's health outlook is good or has improved significantly enough that they are ready to explore working again or examine new career opportunities.

The desire to enter/re-enter the workplace is particularly strong with people who have been struggling to get by on Supplemental Security Income payments of less than $800/month. But career counseling and job search assistance is equally strong for people who are HIV positive and now see hope for a long term future and with a productive and satisfying career.

In order to effectively meet the community's needs, Positive Resource Center has developed a streamlined service delivery system that provides all necessary benefits counseling, vocational rehabilitation, career counseling and job search assistance services through a single service coordination process for San Francisco Bay Area residents. The integration of these services in one accessible location is part of a continuum of individualized care designed to assure a person's financial independence at all stages of HIV disease.

Service Coordination

New participants in the Employment Services program schedule an intake meeting with one of the program's Service Coordinators. In addition to assisting each person with completing the program intake, the Service Coordinator's main responsibility is to work with the participant to develop an Individual Service Plan that outlines the person's vocational goals and the steps necessary for reaching each goal. The Service Coordinator can also offer referrals to internal or external programs such as Career Counseling, Computer Training and Job Search Assistance.

Specific Services Available As Part Of The Program Include:

  • Job Search Skills Workshop
  • Career Compass Workshops
  • Legal and Housing Workshop
  • Job Search Assistance
  • Computer Training
  • Career Counseling
  • Support Groups
  • Microenterprise Development/Self Employment
  • On-site Access to the Department of Rehabilitation

Visit our workshop calendar page for complete program schedules.

If you would like more information about accessing the Employment Service program, call 415.777.0333.