March Newsletter 2016
Please read my newsletter for March 2016.
What’s Happening In District 1
WIA, a federally funded program designed to assist, prepare, and train individuals with the necessary skills needed in today’s competitive workforce
In this issue of my newsletter, I want to cover the WIA program. WIA is a federally funded program designed to assist, prepare, and train individuals with the necessary skills needed in today’s competitive workforce; while affording employers the opportunity to select from a pool of qualified individuals to operate their businesses.
The workforce Investment Act was signed into law in 1998. The Columbus Consolidated Government is the Grant(s) Recipient and the Job Training Division serves as the Administrator of the program. The following bullet points and statements are extracted from their brochure “Lower Chattahoochee Workforce Development Area-14 (WDA14)”
“Title 1 of the legislation is based on the following elements”
- Training and employment programs designed and managed at the local level where the needs of business and individuals are best understood
- Convenient access to employment, education and training, at one single location in their neighborhoods.
- Customer choice in deciding training programs that best fits their needs. Service Providers and Vendors who provide the training. Customers have control over their own career development.
- Customer access to information about how well training providers succeed in preparing people for jobs.Training providers will provide information on their success rates.
- Businesses provide information, leadership, and play an active role in ensuring that the system prepares people for current and future jobs.
In 2014 President Obama signed into law the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, but is essentially the same program. What I like about this program, as you can see from the bullet comments, is it is completely customer focused; the training, education and job opportunities are situated in the local area easily accessible to the customer. The customers are given a full array of services.
Once eligibility has been established, assessing a customer’s strengths and weaknesses allows for a customized plan or road map to reach their objectives and goals with the appropriate training and/or job placement tailored to the customer. The customer is also provided information on the training programs successes and the training which will afford them the opportunity of being prepared for available job opportunities.
I spoke with Mr. Howard Pendleton, Director, Job Training Division/WIOA Program. His Workforce Development Area (WDA-14) serves the following eight counties of: Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Talbot Counties. I told him that I actually did not know that much about the WIOA Program, except that at one time, there was a Summer Youth Employment Program for the children of these Counties, but has since been suspended. Mr. Pendleton explained to me that under the new WIOA Guidelines, 75% of all Youth Funding must be spent on serving Out-of-School Youth (ages 18-24), leaving only 25% for serving youths that are In-School. He further stated that this new guideline has had a severe impact on the ability to direct funding in other areas such as the Summer Youth Employment Program. He has had to divert the remaining 25% in Youth funding for In-School Youth serving the rural counties of Randolph, Clay, Stewart and Quitman County. Unfortunately, that leaves no funding for In-School Youth in Muscogee County.
Mr. Pendleton also receives funding to train Adults and Dislocated Workers. Dislocated Workers are individuals who have been misplaced/displaced due to a company lay-offs, (relocations, downsizing due to the economy) etc. Adults are individuals who meet Area-14 federal guidelines.
I wanted to find out how a person accessed the WIOA System, so I spoke with Mr. J.J. Irvine at the Department of Labor/ Columbus Career Center which was designated as the “One-Stop Itinerate Site” or “No wrong door” shop for not just those who are unemployed and looking for a job, but also for individuals who are interested in additional education, or to upgrade job skills training. Mr. J.J.Irving reiterated what Mr. Howard Pendleton said that there is a long standing synergy between the Department of Labor, the WIOA program and the many collaborative partners that have worked with them over the years.
The many collaborative partners are: The Muscogee County School District, Job Corps, The Urban League, Enrichment Services, The Bridge Program, the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia, Department of Vocational Rehab, Goodwill Industries, Experience Works and the Family Connection (in each county of WDA-14). The average person in search of employment or job skills training can go to the Department of Labor front desk to inquire about the program. They will be asked to register, if they haven’t done so; by being directed to a service provider who will help them to enter the “Employ Georgia System”.
During that process, they will be asked what specific needs or services they are searching for a job or skills training; if the person is interested strictly in employment, then they are assigned a service representative who will help them with resume writing and job searches. If they are interested in job training, then a WIOA Program Specialist will briefly assess the potential candidate to see if they will meet federal eligibility guidelines for the WIOA program, schedule them for orientation which consists of briefing individuals on WIOA, question/ answer session, registration and paper work, self-assessment and two aptitude test (TABE/DAT). Once the tests have been completed and graded, the Program Specialist will schedule individuals to return to discuss the results of the assessment and the training opportunities that are available to them.
There are a number of training opportunities available through the WIOA Program. WIOA has a list called the Eligible Provider List. This is a list of over three hundred companies/vendors which offer training to eligible persons. The WIOA Program pays for the costs of training to include, allowed supplies, tools, uniforms and exam fees for certifications and/or licensing up to $4,000.00 per year not to exceed a two year period for training/education. In addition, WIOA has the many collaborative partners that I previously mentioned. In addition, in certain hardship circumstances additional financial supportive services may be available for such things as transportation and/or child care ($10.00 per day for each day in training for either transportation or child care or both – not to exceed $20.00 per day).
In addition, the WIOA program provides assistance in completing eligibility requirements (application, career planning and assessment) for individuals who wish to qualify as TRADE, (This program is handled through the State of Georgia). This program is designed solely for employees of companies that have relocated overseas and those companies that have been certified as trade. Under the Trade Act, employees are entitled to reemployment assistance which includes training, (up to a maximum of $20,000 total for training), a job search allowance, a relocation allowance and supplemental help with living expenses.
As you can see, the WIOA Program has a lot to offer. I learned a lot about this program. It amazed me how much about this program that I did not know and that I am sure a lot of people don’t know as well. I appreciate the Director, Mr. Howard Pendleton, taking the time to explain the program to me as well as Ms. Feleshia Marshall, WIOA Program Specialist I. This is undoubtedly a program that I feel will be beneficial to many looking for training in the Columbus area.
THERE IS NO EXC– USE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
-Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten in the United states
-95% of all assaults on spouses are by men, although Janie is clear to point out that men can also be victims of domestic violence.An unforgettable and regrettable fact concerning domestic violence is that 40%-60% of all abusers not only abuse their spouses, but they abuse the children as well.This issue of domestic violence is also very contradictory, because unfortunately breaking the cycle of abuse is oftentimes very difficult for a woman. Statistically, it has been shown that many women will leave an abusive relationship, only to return again; that’s why 80% of murdered women came from abusive relationships.In her presentation, Ms. Flis outlined a safety plan for women for self protection. The plan that she outlined is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. The plan she outlined is:-Know your boundaries: You have the right to set limits about what is acceptable behavior.
-Communicate your limits CLEARLY ”No MEANS NO” mean it when you say it, believe it when you hear it.
-Be aware of your partner’s actions; pay attention to disrespectful language and behaviors
-Tell friends/family of your concerns. Go out in groups
-Know a safe location to go.
-Call 911 if in IMMEDIATE DANGER
-Get a personal protection order,(PPO) from law enforcementBesides the list above, Janie recommends that each person plan in advance and identify a “safe place” that you can go, and to have items already packed that you will need if or when you decide to leave.Janie also spoke about sexual assault and defined it as “….Any kind of unwanted sexual intercourse or RAPE. It was surprising and sad when she quoted that every minute and 47 seconds in the United States someone is sexually assaulted, and that nearly 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime.
The facts that have been presented here are very sobering and makes me feel really appreciative that we have organizations like The Crisis Center of Russell County and Hope Harbor in our communities. Janie said that The Russell County Crises Center and Hope Harbor work hand in hand together across the river fighting against domestic violence and offering assistance to those in need of help. The Crisis Center of Russell County offers the following services:
-Confidential 24 hour hotline 334-297-4401
-Victim advocacy during medical or legal proceedings
-Weekly support groups. Phone for details
-Assistance in obtaining community services including legal, medical, and financial help
-Prevention and education programs including programs in schools for anti-bullying and Safe Dates
-Emergency housing for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and their children
-Transportation to shelter and other transportation as needed
-Peer support, counseling and advocacy services
-Monthly medical mobile with a doctor, nurse and pharmacy
ALL OF THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE!!!!!
I am so glad that we have in our area organizations like the Crisis Center of Russell County and Hope Harbor
We can be a hotline volunteer, help in the office,support their fundraising efforts and of course help with your personal financial contributions. To contact them to help call the office at 334-297-4435 I want to sincerely thank Ms. Janie not only for coming on my show and giving us such valuable information, but also for all that she and the Crisis Center of Russell County do in the communities in which we live.
WE NEED TO STOP FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN TROOP STRENGTH AT FORT BENNING
I always quote Mr. Gary Jones, Executive Vice President of Military Affairs at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce “Sequestration is not going away. It’s just looming, and the minute that you relax and forget about Sequestration and the impacts of it, all of a sudden it’s going to be there and you’ll ask how did it happen and we didn’t know what was going on”
Please sign the petition www.growbenning.com
Until my next Newsletter Please take charge of your health. I want you to live a long and high quality of life with your loved ones. God Bless You. Pops