DEED WorkForce Center Reception and Resource Area Certification Program (RRACP)

1. DEEDWorkForce CenterReception and Resource Area Certification Program (RRACP) Module 2 Unit 1a: WorkForce Center System I Learning Objective 2

2. Learning Objectives 2 WFC Programs and Services • Program referrals • Programs and Services

3. Program Referrals

4. Program Referrals Income level Age Dependent status Disability Work status Veteran status Job termination reason Barriers to employment Since WIA is federally funded, it requires that any recipient (organization) receiving WIA funding is to refer customers to WIA programs. Most programs provide some level of supportive services and possible training money. Eligibility is based on one or more of factors:

5. Referring Customers to Programs Knowledge of basic program information facilitates the referral process. When referring customers: DO: Direct customers to the menu of programs and explain the basic services they provide. DON’T: Ask customer if he or she is a member of a targeted group unless it is self-disclosed in conversation.

6. Discussion Point How you identify members of a specific group? How you refer customers to programs?

7. Programs and services

8. List of Programs and Services • Minnesota Family Investment Plan • Rehabilitation Services • State Services for the Blind • Senior Community Service Employment Program • Unemployment Insurance • Veterans Services • Youth • WOTC and Federal Bonding • Adult Basic Education • Business Services • Dislocated Workers • Trade Adjustment Assistance • Displaced Homemakers • Food Support and Training Program • Job Service • Local resources • Migrant and Seasonal Worker Program

9. Adult Basic Education (ABE) The mission of ABE in MN is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve their literacy skills necessary to become self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens. • GED - General Educational Development diploma / Adult Diploma • ESL - English as a Second Language • Basic Skills Enhancement • Work Readiness/Workforce Preparation • Citizenship/Civics Education • Family Literacy http://mnabe.themlc.org/Adult_Basic_Education2.html

10. Business Services DEED encourages the creation and retention of high quality jobs through business growth, expansion and retention. Business development services help companies expand or relocate in Minnesota, find and train employees, promote international trade, and finance business expansions. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/bizdev/index.htm

11. Dislocated Workers and Trade Adjustment Assistance • Dislocated Worker Program (DW): DW Provides both training and employment services to Minnesotans who are--or about to be--unemployed due to layoffs and plant closings. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/dw/index.htm • Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): TAA is available to workers who lose their jobs (or whose hours of work and wages are reduced) as a result of increased imports. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/taa/index.htm

12. Displaced Homemakers The Displaced Homemaker Program provides pre-employment services to empower homemakers to enter or re-enter the labor market. Customers are women or men who have worked mainly in the home for a minimum of two years caring for home and family. Due to loss of family financial support (usually through death, disability, or divorce), these customers must support themselves and their families. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/wpd/dhp/

13. Food Support Employment Training The Food Support Employment and Training (FSET) Program provides food support recipients who do not receive other cash assistance with services that will result in employment and self-sufficiency. In return for monthly food support, adults between the ages of 18 and 55 must comply with work requirements by participating in work or work-related activities. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cbs/fset/

14. Job Service A core partner in WorkForce Centers throughout the state, and is a program run by DEED. The mission of Job Service is to provide and support a labor exchange system which helps Minnesota businesses build and maintain a world class workforce and which helps workers and job seekers manage their participation in the workforce and enhance their self sufficiency.

15. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program specializes in providing assistance to employees and employers seeking to obtain work or workers in agricultural and non-agricultural employment. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/migrant/index.htm

16. Minnesota Family Investment Program The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) provides support for low-income families with children that helps parents move from welfare to unsubsidized employment. For most parents participation in employment services is mandatory. MFIP is jointly administered by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cbs/mfip/

17. Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Services works with individuals who have disabilities and provides a variety of services. • Vocational planning • Employment information • Referral services They also provide guidance in maintaining employment. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/rehab/index.htm

18. Senior Community Service Employment Program The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides part-time community service assignments for people 55 years of age or older who have earnings of less than 125 % of the federal poverty income guidelines. The community service assignments is used as a training opportunity to acquire skills or improve existing skills to gain unsubsidized employment in the private sector or other employment opportunities after completion of the community service assignment. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/oldwkr/index.htm

19. State Services for the Blind (SSB) The mission of SSB is to facilitate the achievement of vocational and personal independence by Minnesotans who are blind, visually impaired or DeafBlind. SSB is a branch of DEED and provides programs and services for Minnesotans of any age who have a vision loss that creates a barrier to their vocational or personal independence. http://www.mnssb.org/

20. Unemployment Insurance (UI) The mission of UI is to enhance workforce development and economic strength of Minnesota by providing unemployment insurance for individuals and employers. The Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program provides temporary benefits to qualified persons out of work through no fault of their own. Benefit payments replace part of the income lost while a worker is between jobs. http://www.uimn.org/

21. Veterans Services Many state and federal programs exist to ensure that Minnesota veterans get specialized employment and training services. • Vocational rehabilitation services • Individual, intensive employment assistance • In-person orientation to WFC services • Job search info., and resume/cover letters assistance. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/veterans/index.htm Priority of Service: Means with respect to any qualified job training program, that a covered person shall be given priority over nonveterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under that program.

22. Discussion Point How many of you use the Minnesota Veteran’s questionnaire? What do you do with the questionnaire when it is completed?

23. Youth Development Services Youth Services includes a core set of employment and training programs for economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth.  • WIA Youth • Minnesota Youth Program • Youthbuild • Liaison to faith-based and community-based organizations • Liaison to high schools, students and parents. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/youth/index.htm

24. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) WOTC is a federal tax credit available to all private sector businesses. It is an incentive to employers to hire individuals in certain targeted groups who consistently experience high rates of unemployment due to a variety of employment barriers. • WOTC is a tool for job seekers in these targeted groups to help them obtain gainful employment so that they may acquire the skills and experience needed to be eligible for better, higher paying job opportunities. http://www.deed.state.mn.us/wotc/index.htm

25. Minnesota Federal Bonding Service The Minnesota Federal Bonding Service is a no-cost employee dishonesty insurance that protects employers against employee theft of any money or property for new or current employees who may be denied coverage by commercial carriers based on the following: • Record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment • History of alcohol or drug abuse • Poor credit history • Dishonorable discharge • Lack of employment history http://www.deed.state.mn.us/bonding/

26. Programs and Services KEY POINTS • Under WIA, One-Stop Career Centers, or WFCs in Minnesota, requires recipients of WIA funds to refer customers to WIA programs. • Most programs provide some level of supportive services and possible training money, and are eligibility based. • Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Federal Bonding Program are incentives for employers to hire job seekers with barriers.

27. This completes Learning Objective 2 of Module 2, Unit 1a. Learning Objective 1: WFC Fundamentals Learning Objective 2: WFC Programs and Services Leaning Objective 3: Resource Area