The Employer Connect Program is a new program in partnership with the Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce in District 5 of Riverside County to work with the Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions Department/Workforce Development Division (HWS/WDD) to assist and aid all businesses within the district area through a new pilot program, called the Employer Connect Program (ECP).

After working through the program’s enrollment with the HSJVC, qualifying businesses will hire a new full-time employee who will undergo training provided by the HWS Continuum of Care Division (HWS/COC). Workforce Development will reimburse the business for the new hire up to $20 per hour for the first 90 days of employment with the business with a maximum of 480 hours of reimbursement.

Qualifying is simple, your business must meet the following requirements:

• Must be physically located within RivCo District 5
• Be able to provide proof of a valid operating license within Riverside County.
• Be able to provide your Business Name and Address (and any DBA’s)
• What new or current position you are hiring
• A statement as to how COVID-19 affected their business
• Small Business – The employer must be classified as a small business (less than 500 full-time employees) according to the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines
• Workman’s Compensation – The employer must have worker’s compensation coverage
• W-2 – The employer must issue W-2 forms to their employees