In Attendance
- Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
- Kelly Deniger, Missoula Job Service WORC Program
- Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
- Maggie Driscoll, Human Resource Council District XI
- Monique Fortmann, Lifelong Learning Center
- Kristi Harman, Missoula Job Service
- Wendy Mair, Rural Employment Opportunities
- Jude Monson, Summit Independent Living Center
- Michelle Parks, Child Care Resources
- Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
- Thomas Smith, WORD
- Janet Van Dyke, retired, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Vida Wilkinson, Missoula College UM
- Sarah Wimmer, Missoula Job Service WORC Program
Agenda
Changes at Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind ServicesVocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRB) anticipates entering Order of Selection this spring. Order of Selection is called when an agency no longer has the funding or staff to serve all clients. Over the past several years, VRB has been classifying clients by severity of disability and area of disability. Each person is assigned a numerical classification, with level 1 being the most severe disability. Under Order of Selection, levels 1 and 2 may be served normally and level 3 may be served with no-cost plans, for example. Most states are already in Order of Selection or have moved in or out of it recently. If Order of Selection is called, it will be effective statewide. Anyone already found eligible by VRB will continue to receive services. VRB may rely on other agencies who offer free services to assist clients who will be served under no-cost plans.
To apply for vocational rehabilitation services, applicants must attend an orientation and then schedule an assessment. Group orientations are offered Tuesday afternoons and applicants must call ahead to register. After attending an orientation session, applicants schedule an appointment for an assessment.
Janet Van Dyke has retired, and her position was posted by the state and closed January 7. A counselor position is also vacant. The case management system VRB uses is also switching.
Program Changes at Rural Employment Opportunities
Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) still has the national farmworker program and has added the Access Opportunities program nearly statewide. There are several different tracks through the program. General eligibility requirements are 100 percent – 200 percent of poverty level with at least one minor child at home, or youth up to ages 18 – 19. The goal of the program is to provide employment as soon as possible, through temporary placements, on-the-job training or short-term training, such as getting a CDL. Classes on soft skills and financial literacy are in the works and may be open to everyone, not just program participants.
Applicants can fill out one application to be considered for all the programs REO offers. To apply, they should call 406-442-7850 or 1-800-546-1140. Everyone who applies will be referred to a career assessment and job readiness workshop that is under development, regardless of eligibility for REO’s programs. REO is waiting on the signed grant contract to begin offering the new services, but they are accepting applications now.
REO is conducting interviews for the executive director position. Once the grant contract is signed, Wendy will move into the position of job developer and statewide coordinator. Her case manager position will then be filled, and two more case managers will be hired
REO is also moving towards an entirely electronic system, including an online application system.
HiSET Test Update
The Lifelong Learning Center will off the first computer-based exam on January 23. Additional computer testing dates are scheduled for February and March. Some kinks in the system are still being worked out. No paper-based test has been scheduled yet, but one may be scheduled in April.
ETS is running the registration and payment system for the HiSET test. Test takers must create a profile and pay a $50 fee before registering for an exam. The registration includes the fee ETS collects for the HiSET exam, but does not include a per test site testing fee that covers the cost of administering the test. The site testing fee varies by testing location. LLC will charge $3 per test; the test costs $12.80 per test to administer.
The test costs $50 for all five sections, or $15 for each section. If test takers register for all five tests at once, the $50 fee includes two free retests. ETS will not invoice agencies for the cost of the fee. Some agencies that assist with testing are purchasing pre-paid cards, while others will use corporate cards to pay. LLC will invoice for the $3 site testing fee.
LLC has set up a brand new testing center to administer the HiSET exam. There will be a proctor in the room and two windows look in to the space. No cameras have been installed.
The first phase of the HiSET test is similar to the GED test. The second phase will move towards bringing the test in line with Common Core standards, while the final phase will be completely aligned with Common Core. During the first year, test takers who have passed part of the GED may take the remaining parts of the HiSET test and combine their scores to receive their high school equivalency.
The HiSET test also introduces two levels of scoring. One level is for high school equivalency, with a second level demonstrating college readiness. Currently people cannot retake the test to receive a higher level of proficiency if they have already passed.
LLC saw many people come in to finish the GED test in December before the changeover.
Updates
Jude Monson – Summit Independent Living CenterClasses are going well at Summit Independent Living Center. A new class is coming up in April.
2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Summit is gearing up to celebrate the occasion.
Thomas Smith – WORD
The Tenant Based Rental Assistance program (TBRA) has started. The program is first come, first serve, and applicants must not have signed a lease yet. The property they intend to lease must be within city limits. The TBRA program can follow families for a period of time in case they run into trouble.
Money for the basic needs assessment is almost out. In the past, WORD has received additional funding for the program, but that may not happen this year.
Vida Wilkinson – Missoula College UM
Spring Veteran’s Upward Bound classes begin February 10. Two classes will be taught by new instructors. The Cybersecurity Certificate program featured in the Missoulian is already up and running. The program has four classes and students can take the courses in any order.
Adam Ragsdale – Missoula Housing Authority
Rebuilding continues for the Vantage Villa apartments. The new buildings are now enclosed.
The Mutual Self Help neighborhood grant is entering its second year. The program teaches families how to build their own home. The first round of 10 families moved into their new homes over the summer. Missoula Housing Authority (MHA) is hoping to bring the program from Great Falls to Missoula soon.
The collaborative build project with Missoula College is going well and will add to MHA’s affordable housing stock. MHA has outgrown their current office space on 34th Street and is still looking for new office space.
Michelle Parks – Child Care Resources
Child Care Resources (CCR) is enjoying the lull between semesters. CCR’s finance director is leaving at the end of the month to take a new position as executive director at the Children’s Museum. A receptionist position will also be posted soon.
CCR has a grant to help families with childcare for a month while they get settled.
A daycare center that offered non-standard hours recently closed, leaving 30 families looking for childcare. It is still very challenging to find non-standard hour childcare in Missoula.
Kristi Harman & Wolf Ametsbichler – Missoula Job Service
Missoula Job Service is gearing up for another career fair on Thursday, April 24 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Veterans will be admitted a half-hour early again. The table fee is $85 for early bird registration, and will increase to $125 as the date approaches. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is still supporting the fair, but funding was reduced by half for this year. Job Service also lost contributions from the US Chamber this year, leading to the increased table fee. The website and online registration will be live January 17. Job Service can accommodate 120 employers at the Hilton; last year 100 employers attended the fair.
Missoula Job Service will also begin offering classes in February. Topics include the Job Service registration process, very basic computer skills, effective job searching and soft skills.
Extended unemployment benefits, also known as EUC, ended December 28, 2013. Congress may pass another retroactive extension soon.
Job Service has plenty of on-the-job training funds remaining. Workers must either be out of work through no fault of their own or qualify through income criteria.
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) money is also available for small employers, including non-profits. IWT funds can be used for non-required training that enhances employee skills. Up to $2,000 per FTE per year is available. Contact Wolf, George or Angie at the Missoula Job Service for more information at 406-728-7060.
The resource room is busy, and the Missoula Job Service is noticing more customers needing more in-depth assistance. Job orders remain stable at 400-450 orders. Another manufacturing company may locate in Bonner this year.
Sarah Wimmer & Kelly Deniger – Missoula Job Service WORC Program
The Job Club is starting again on January 27 and will run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Maggie Driscoll – Human Resource Council Dist. XI
Human Resource Council Dist. XI (HRC) is busy. Many older people are looking for help who have not needed assistance in the past. HRC is also keeping up with changes to the youth program.
After a long-time manager retired in December, a position in the energy conservation program will open in the spring.
Monique Fortmann – The Lifelong Learning Center
The next graduation ceremony will be held January 24 at 7:00 p.m. 140 people have passed the high school equivalency exam since the last graduation.
The new online registration program is getting rave reviews from customers and staff. The schedule for March and April will be completed soon. If any agency has classes or workshops they would like to have placed in the schedule, The Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) needs to know in the next few weeks. Space isn’t guaranteed, but there is no cost. LLC also has classroom space available during the day.
