Nicole LaCorte-Klein has joined the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) as employment policy and program manager. LaCorte-Klein previously worked for SU’s Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) as a senior research associate. She brings more than 20 years of experience as a trainer, program developer and program coordinator with a focus on technical assistance, with specific proficiencies in employment for people with mental illnesses, co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders and those who are homeless.
An expert in supportive housing development, in her role at the IVMF LaCorte-Klein works as a training coordinator for the National Veterans Technical Assistance Center (NVTAC), serving the nation’s more than 150 U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service-funded Homeless Veterans Reintegration Projects. The center addresses employment needs of veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and those with significant barriers to employment. LaCorte-Klein is also a principal trainer and technical assistance coordinator for the New York State Health Foundation-funded Direct Technical Assistance Center, which serves more than 11 New York-based Supportive Services for Veteran Families funded through the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to her work with the IVMF, LaCorte-Klein currently provides training and technical assistance for Homeless Veterans Supportive Employment Program grantees across the country.
“Nicole brings expertise on employment practices and addressing housing, homelessness and employment among veterans. She is a welcome addition to our team and we look forward to including her work on the many projects we have to improve employment and self-sufficiency among veterans and their families in New York State and across the country,” says Gary Shaheen, IVMF director of employment policy.
LaCorte-Klein joined BBI in 2009, and during her tenure helped develop New York State demonstration projects supporting the development of customized employment and inclusive entrepreneurship. She also provided training and created job development and job retention materials for NVTAC. Prior to joining BBI, LaCorte-Klein was assistant director of vocational training for the Mental Health Association of New Jersey, where she developed a 40-hour employment curriculum for providers funded by the Division of Mental Health Services.
Previously, she was a program officer for the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), coordinating the New York State Social Security Administration (SSA) demonstration research project “New York WORKS,” which researched effective practices for improving employment outcomes and use of SSA work incentives for people with psychiatric disabilities. She also worked with housing providers throughout New York City’s five boroughs to develop and integrate employment services for residents of their programs. While at CSH, she analyzed proposals for agencies seeking to develop housing for veterans and provided improvements on integrating employment services.
LaCorte-Klein has worked in the field with individuals who were HIV-positive and/or had AIDS. While living in New York City, she saw first hand the need for coordination of services, affordable housing and career development. As the director of vocational and educational services for the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, she worked with individuals who were homeless or recently living in supportive housing. In her role, she developed relationships with Marriott Corp., Pfizer and eBay, where individuals had the opportunity to expand their interviewing skills, develop their own businesses and advance new careers.
She began her career working as a job coach and job developer for Individuals with Disabilities. Her focus was on developing employer relationships and ensuring individuals she served were working in the best job suited to their skill sets.
LaCorte-Klein earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from New York University. While at NYU, she concentrated on employers integrating disability into existing diversity plans. She created a training program for the staff of the American Management Association that led to HR professionals taking a broader look at their HR policies and practices.
She resides in and is based out of Scotch Plains, N.J.
