CMT Core Group Meeting Minutes - March 6, 2014

In Attendance

• Amanda Brateng, Job Corps
• Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
• Kristi Harman, Missoula Job Service
• Jeannine Lovell, Homeword
• Wendy Mair, Rural Employment Opportunities
• Jude Monson, Summit Independent Living Center
• Michelle Parks, Child Care Resources
• Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
• Jodi Rasmussen, Lifelong Learning Center
• Thomas Smith, WORD

Agenda

REO Presentation on Access Opportunities
REO is known for assisting farm and ranch workers, but has always strived to serve everyone. REO has received a Department of Public Health and Human Services grant for low income families with minor children at home. Families must be TANF or TANF eligible, or be a youth up to age 19. Only the youth’s income is counted in such cases. Anyone who might qualify should call 1-800-546-1140 for screening.

The Access Opportunities program will be available in most regions of the State and has several paths available for participants:

•  Classroom training
• Generally 90 days or less, but extensions are possible
• Goal is to move from training program directly into employment
• Short term work experience at an employer
• Not necessarily a permanent placement
• Goal is to develop an employable skill set, add work experience to resume and gain permanent employment
• Wage subsidy is provided and the participant is not an employee of the company
• On-the-job training
• Permanent placement with wage subsidies available during the training period; the intent is to keep the person as an employee, but if the employer is not satisfied there is no obligation to keep them hired on permanently
• The amount of wage subsidy and length of training is dependent upon a variety of factors including the skill level of the participant, the job skills required and the length of time required to train, etc.

Workshops will also be available to Access Opportunities participants as well as anyone in the community. Workshops will be publicized and any other agencies may refer their clients and participants to workshops that they feel would be helpful.

A workshop focusing on career assessment and job readiness will be ready by the end of March. This class will be 2.5 hours long and examine each person’s skills, interests and motivations to help find a career that will be a good fit. Workshops will be offered about once a month, with a soft skills class offered quarterly.

Financial assessments workshops will also be provided through co-facilitation with local credit unions. The assessments will discuss money values, attitudes and beliefs. Coaching will be available for participants in the areas where assessments show a need.

All applicants interested in REO’s programs should call 1-800-546-1140 for screening. Those who appear eligible will be sent an application. Those who are not eligible will be referred to appropriate workshops and other resources and agencies.

Jamie Anderson Lind is the new executive director of REO and Ann is the new eligibility and resource specialist. New training and employment specialists are also being hired to handle the increased caseload. Wendy has moved into the position of Job Developer and Training Coordinator and will continue to cover her caseload as well until her replacement is hired.

Updates

Amanda Brateng – Job Corps
Amanda works with students who do not graduate the program. She has a 90 day window to assist them. Job Corps is catching up on enrollments after the enrollment freeze.

Jude Monson – Summit Independent Living Center
Several classes will be offered in April, including an arthritis support group, growing through pain and progressive diagnosis.

Adam Ragsdale – Missoula Housing Authority
The Joseph Residence will be moving out of the MacClay Commons and the property will return to permanent housing. Office space on the property will be the new home of WORD in the near future. Some gently used office furniture may be available from the Poverello Center.

Thomas Smith – WORD
WORD will be moving office locations. New staff will be hired: a part-time coordinator and an educator for the Parents as Teachers program.

Regarding the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA), people are turning in pre-applications but not returning. Most other programs are out of funds. Housing assistance for the homeless is available until the end of the month.

Naomi Thornton is leaving and WORD will post the executive director position.

Kristi Harman – Missoula Job Service
The career fair is still in full swing, and the early bird special ($85 for employer table and two buffet tickets) expires March 24 at 5:00 p.m. The price increases to $125 afterwards. Money is still available for on-the-job training and Incumbent Worker Training. Missoula Job Service began offering classes in February and they are going well. Additional classes or new classes will be added as needed.

Jeannine Lovell – Homeword
Homeword’s classes are filling up fast. The financial class is still free and childcare is provided. Each household that completes the class receives a $20 gift card.

Michelle Parks – Child Care Resources
The new finance director is in place. DPHHS has placed the childcare application online. It is much easier to complete compared to the paper application.

Jodi – The Lifelong Learning Center
The Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) is hiring for a part-time parent education coordinator at $23 - $27 per hour. The position attempts to coordinate, not duplicate, services available around town.

New classes are starting at LLC and the first two rounds of HiSET testing have gone well. Few people have had difficulty with the computer-based test. A paper exam may not be offered. LLC has financial assistance available for students taking at least 12 hours of classes who can show financial need.

Vida Wilkinson – Missoula College UM
Missoula College is looking to fill two grant-funded positions: Dual Enrollment Program/Big Sky Pathways Director and Workforce Navigator (DOL TAACCCT grant funded position). Information on both positions was distributed.