Contributed READY TO HELP – Laura Bomerscheim has joined the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a community employment specialist and is eager to help individuals as they join the workforce.

STEUBENVILLE — Laura Bomerscheim is settling into her new role as community employment specialist with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and is looking to help youth and adults find their place in the workforce.

Bomerscheim is from Blairsville, Pa., but lives in Steubenville with her three sons. While she is new to the JCBDD Community Employment Services program, she understands what employers seek in a new worker and is using that knowledge to her advantage.

“I started as a seasonal employee at J.C. Penney in 2020 and moved up to the role of customer service supervisor in 2021. I believe my background in retail will be an asset in this new position,” she said, emphasizing her experience in hiring and developing staff. “After learning about the job responsibilities and talking with the current team, it felt like the perfect fit.”

Bomerscheim has been learning from CES specialists Elyzabeth Grimm and Renee Pastre Hanlin, the latter of whom she succeeded following Hanlin’s retirement on June 1. She was appreciative of their assistance and said it has made the transition easier.

“It’s been really nice, and everyone’s been outstanding and helpful,” she added. “It’s been a smooth transition so far and I’ve gotten so much support from Renee, and she and Elyzabeth have been very welcoming and have educated me.”

Her work involves assisting individuals with pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) by visiting local high schools and helping students with job development, including community work experience and resume assistance, as well as conducting driver’s permit tutoring and Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority (SVRTA) bus training for area routes.

She currently works with five individuals and will add more over time. She also has been involved in the annual summer youth work program, helping about a half-dozen high school students learn job skills while earning money. The group has been doing cleaning and maintenance work at the Sycamore Youth Center in Steubenville and will remain on-site through June 25, with a second session set for July in Wintersville and Toronto.

“It’s exciting to move into this new role. My first official summer youth work experience session will be at the Sycamore Center, which offers fantastic camps and programs for children. Our summer youth participants are completing various tasks, including clearing weeds, reorganizing the kitchen pantries, cleaning and vacuuming.”

Bomerscheim plans to help individuals find careers and set a course for their futures.

“My goal is to help students transition smoothly from high school to their chosen careers, ensuring they have the support and resources they need along the way.”

Meanwhile, Grimm said she has been acclimating well to her new role.

“Laura’s positive attitude and collaborative spirit make her an absolute pleasure to work with. Her natural initiative and eagerness to tackle tasks head-on make her a highly valued addition to our team,” Grimm said.