In Attendance
- Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
- Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
- Maggie Driscoll, Human Resource Council District XI
- Tom Finch, Job Service Region 1 Director
- Monique Fortmann, Lifelong Learning Center
- Kristi Harman, Missoula Job Service
- Wendy Mair, Rural Employment Opportunities
- Kurtis Mayne, Opportunity Resources, Inc.
- Michelle Parks, Child Care Resources
- Jane Parsons, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Thomas Smith, WORD
- Lindsey Trainer, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Janet Van Dyke, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Vida Wilkinson, Missoula College UM
Agenda
Tom Finch, Job Service Region 1 DirectorWolf introduced Tom Finch, the new director for Job Service Region 1. He has taken over for Pat Hulla, who retired in August. Region 1 includes the Job Service offices in Hamilton, Kalispell, Libby, Polson, Thompson Falls and both Missoula locations. Tom joined the Department of Labor and Industry after a long and successful military career. After 90 days on the job, he feels like he has landed in the right place and is interested in getting involved with the community.
Community Resource Fair Wrap-Up
Attendance was down from last year’s event. Some attendees were uncomfortable walking up to tables and asking questions. Other attendees appreciated the open format and the ability to revisit organizations if they had further questions. The group discussed several strategies to improve attendance, including changing the date from October to November, registering attendees to facilitate email reminders, passing out scenarios for attendees to solve, raffling prizes and holding special segments immediately beforehand to highlight new programs or changes to programs in CMT organizations. The Lifelong Learning Center is switching to a new registration system that charges per registrant, so they will not be able to use their system to register attendees without assistance covering the cost. The CMT will explore alternative options to register attendees for future fairs.
MCIS System Presentation
The CMT explored the option of setting up a presentation on the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). MCIS is a website with many tools to help people of all ages explore career paths and gather local labor market data. MCIS is used already in the schools, at Job Service and other area agencies. The system has just been revamped and includes new features to assist with case management. Several CMT members are familiar with MCIS and have attended presentations on the redesign. It was suggested that a presentation be broken up into three or four short, in-depth segments that CMT members could attend separately, with an overview segment for those not familiar with the system. A more hands-on presentation and input from someone using the system would also be beneficial. The CMT will follow up with Annette Miller, the state contact for MCIS.
Updates
Maggie – Human Resource Council District XIThe LIEAP program is up and running even though Congress has not released funds yet. HRC is about to begin interviews for a WORC case manager in Ravalli and an interim assistance counselor in Missoula. Janet added that Montana is part of a six-state consortium receiving a grant from the Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) initiative. The goal of the PROMISE initiative is to improve the education and employment outcomes of child Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and their families. Missoula and Phoenix are the two largest cities for SSI recipients in the six-state consortium.
Janet – Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services
Janet Van Dyke is retiring in six weeks; her position will be posted before she leaves. Kurtis noted the large numbers of highly skilled, CEO-level people in our community who are retiring, including Janet. Wolf added that the state is grappling with this issue throughout state government.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRB) will begin order of selection soon due to budget constraints. VRB has been giving people a numerical rating based on their level of disability for the past few years but serving all levels. When order of selection is implemented, VRB will continue to serve anyone who already has a plan in place, but people with lower numerical ratings may be put on a waiting list. Population growth is causing an increase in the numbers of people with disabilities applying to VRB. Missoula is known for having excellent resources for people with disabilities, potentially drawing many people to the area. There will be a warning before order of selection begins.
VRB will also return to group intakes instead of individual intake appointments to meet demand.
Thomas – WORD
Funds from the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program will be available soon. TBRA provides assistance with security deposits and utility deposits. Housing must be within city limits and able to pass inspection through the Missoula Housing Authority. The TBRA program provides one-time help and is open to anyone who meets income limits. Participants must be able to show they can afford rent. A financial fitness class may be required of participants.
Monique – The Lifelong Learning Center
The Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) is converting to a new class registration system for January and February classes. The system is no longer housed in the building, so when the LLC’s internet goes down, registration is still available.
A full time administrative secretary position is open. The job offers full benefits and will work Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Candidates must have excellent bookkeeping and problem solving skills. The position is also required to know all other office positions to serve as backup when needed.
Monique asked if anyone had any questions about the HiSET transition. Because payments must be made online, some organizations will need to adjust how they pay for testing. Some organizations without procurement cards are purchasing pre-paid debit cards and using those to make online payments.
Vida – Missoula College UM
Missoula College UM has received a $15,000 grant to market STEM education to non-traditional students.
Michelle – Child Care Resources
Child Care Resources (CCR) has an open position for a trainer of child care providers. CCR has received many resumes, but the successful candidate must have a degree in early childhood education.
CCR has received a grant through the United Way as part of the Let’s Move! Initiative. CCR is collaborating with the YMCA on the grant.
Another grant assists families in crisis by paying for a slot at a decent provider for a month. CCR is advocating for families who are in school and unable to afford child care and families who are unable to work due to disabilities. Some crisis funding is available, but most programs are for working families.
Wendy – Rural Employment Opportunities
Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) works with low income seasonal farm and agricultural workers and their families by assisting with education and job training to help them become financially stable. REO serves all of western Montana. REO is looking to find ways to keep people in the agriculture industry. REO is accepting nominations for the Montana Ag Worker of the Year until the end of December.
Kurtis – Opportunity Resources, Inc.
Opportunity Resources, Inc. (ORI) has hired a new CEO to replace retiring Jack Chambers. Jesse Dunn will start December 2. Jesse has a background in working with people with disabilities, has worked in Washington and New Mexico and is the author of several management and children’s books.
The Old West Autumn Fest fundraiser was a success with 3,000 attendees. ORI is building momentum again with the Old West Autumn Fest.
The Christmas and Spring sales have been very successful in the last few years. Proceeds go directly back to the artists. The sale will begin December 2 at 2821 South Russell Street. The sale runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Volunteers can call Kurtis to get involved.
Wolf – Missoula Job Service
Job orders continue to increase and employers are having trouble finding job seekers. The development at the old Kmart site, including Cabela’s, Kohl’s and several new restaurants, will add about 300 jobs. We may begin to see wages increase due to the demand for labor.
The Missoula Job Service has been talking with the Missoula Economic Partnership. Another manufacturing company may come to the Missoula area, bringing 30 – 40 new jobs with them. A decision should be made in the next few weeks.
Taco Bell is holding a job fair this Saturday to fill 30 positions at all levels. The Brooks Street location is being rebuilt and will reopen in December.
There has been some chatter about development at the old Fox site. The real estate market is improving for both commercial and residential properties.
Many companies are requesting to hold mini job fairs in our office to try and fill positions. The number of industries having trouble hiring is expanding as the unemployment rate continues to drop. Missoula County has an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent and Billings is at 3 percent, dropping the further east you go. Pressure on small businesses will increase with the minimum wage hike.
Plenty of On-the-Job Training (OJT) money is available. There are two pots with different eligibility requirements. A person must either be laid off through no fault of their own (unemployment insurance benefits eligible) or SNAP eligible/low-income. OJT funds provide up to six months of subsidized wages to the employer and an opportunity at a new job for job seekers. People must be determined OJT eligible before they are hired by an employer.
Extended UI benefits are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It looks like they will not be extended again. Many people are still benefiting from extended benefits. UI is moving more towards work search verification. The file-by-phone option is gone; all bi-weekly claims must be filed online so that work search contacts can be collected each week. Many people are reaching the work search entry screen and leaving the website. Employers are receiving more work search verification calls.
