In Attendance
- Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
- Will Bodle, Rural Employment Opportunities
- Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
- Maggie Driscoll, Human Resource Council District XI
- Gisele Forrest, Council Groves
- Jeannine Lovell, Homeword
- Carlye Markum, Missoula Job Service
- Jude Monson, Summit Independent Living Center
- Michelle Parks, Child Care Resources
- Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
- Jodi Rasmussen, Lifelong Learning Center
- Thomas Smith, WORD
- Rebecca Stancil, Missoula Housing Authority
- Sara Trotter, Opportunity Resources
Agenda
WIOA KickoffThe Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Kickoff was held in Helena a few weeks ago. The meeting consisted of all of the WIOA required partners and federal representatives. Some of the topics were on federal reporting, strategic planning with required partners, and apprenticeships. One major topic was the Montana Career Information Systems (MCIS). MCIS will be required as part of our assessment process with job seekers but we aren’t sure to what extent. If any agency is interested in setting up MCIS training please contact Carlye Markum (cmarkum@mt.gov) to get the training scheduled. A key takeaway for HRC with the new WIOA changes is the focus on out of school youth. They haven’t received a lot of guidance on how that looks but they are developing ideas. Another big change of WIOA is the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). As of Jan. 1, 2016 training providers will have to provide names and social security numbers of all of their students. We will definitely lose some training providers because of this mandate.
HELP Act Update
Medicaid expansion appears to be on track for a January 1 start date. Open enrollment is scheduled for November and will be handled by a third-party administrator. Estimates say up to 70,000 Montanans will be eligible for the expansion, and 30,000 may enroll in the first year. Participants may have to pay up to 2 percent of their yearly income to receive benefits, but that fee can be waived by participating with Job Service and creating an Individual Employment Plan.
A legislative oversight committee for the HELP Act met for the first time last week. The program would run for two years and would be reviewed, and potentially extended, at the next legislative session in 2017.
RESEA (Reemployment and Eligibility Services Assessment)
RESEA will replace Worker Profiling for unemployment insurance claimants who are at risk of long-term unemployment and not job attached. Worker Profiling required claimants to meet with an employment counselor at their local Job Service office to discuss their work search in order to continue receiving benefits. RESEA will require two appointments. Claimants will meet with an employment counselor and develop and sign an Individual Employment Plan for the first meeting, then set up a second appointment. The first appointment must be completed in person, regardless of the claimants distance from a Job Service office. The second appointment may be completed over the phone, but is also mandatory.
RESEA will increase the workload for Job Service staff, but also offers an opportunity to get people in the door and help them return to work sooner.
A secondary program called “100%” requires 100 percent of unemployment insurance claimants who aren’t job attached or selected for RESEA to attend a brief meeting at Job Service to learn about the services available to them. In general, opportunities for assistance are increasing, but the requirements for receiving social services seem to be tightening across the board. For example, regulations for SNAP recipients have also become more stringent.
Customer Centered Design Team
The Customer Centered Design team held their first meeting last week. The challenge is a bit more intensive than expected and includes reading and learn-by-doing components. Instead of tackling one of the pre-designed challenges, the team has decided to tackle their own goal: “How might we ensure the underserved public understands the scope of our services?” The team will interview experts in our community and people who access services to gather information needed to meet their goal.
Updates
Missoula Housing AuthorityMissoula Housing Authority (MHA) has purchased the Parkside Village Apartments, adding approximately 104 units of affordable housing to their portfolio, and will take over management of the property on January 1. They now own the Russell Square Apartments outright.
The complex formerly known as Vantage Villa is nearly ready for leasing. The Phoenix will add 41 units to MHA’s portfolio. MHA’s portfolio now boasts approximately 600 units of affordable housing.
Word of Section 811 vouchers has spread in the community. Section 811 vouchers help people with disabilities live independently by subsidizing rental housing that provides access to supportive services. A meeting with the state on September 14 will kick off the program. Up to 35 new vouchers will be available to those who meet requirements. A separate waitlist will not be created. Recipients must be under 62 years of age, disabled and earn less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income to qualify.
MHA has an administrative appeal process for people deemed ineligible for housing assistance. First year law students are trained by an attorney to function as hearing officers. Hearing officers have 10 days after the hearing to make a decision. Law students gain valuable real-world experience through participating.
Human Resource Council District XI
WIOA implementation is underway. Human Resource Council plans to meet with many organizations over the next few months to discuss WIOA changes in depth and sign new MOUs. Youth court and LIEAP programs are starting up. Applications for LIEAP are being accepted now, though payments don’t begin until October. Applications were mailed out September 1.
Child Care Resources
Child Care Resources has been busy assisting students as school begins. Changes in federal government regulations will be positive for clients. A new 12-month eligibility period and an exemption for full-time students will benefit many families.
New federal regulations for licensing of childcare providers may result in a consolidation of providers. Annual training requirements will increase from eight hours per year to 20 – 30 hours, and providers will be required to attend a large pre-orientation before opening. Inspections will now occur yearly. Some smaller home providers may close, but better training and stricter licensing will benefit children in care. Implementation will take place over several years.
The Lifelong Learning Center
The partnership with Missoula College UM to assist students with improving their math and writing skills is still going well. Partnerships with teachers are very effective. For example, the heavy equipment operator teacher is allowing class time for TABE testing and study skills information with his students.
The Lifelong Learning Center is starting work on the November – December catalog. Please let Jodi know if you have anything you want to include. Classes have started for the September schedule.
Family Self Sufficiency Program
A partnership is in the works that would report on-time rent payments to participants’ credit reports to assist them with improving their credit scores. The program will be open to those in public housing, the FSS and ROSS programs. There is no fee to participate and the program would last for one year.
WORD
WORD is still waiting to hear on the grant to assist fathers. Things are revving up and a reorganization is under way. Beth Riley with be the director for now. Many people are needing money for housing assistance.
Summit Independent Living Center
With the start of fall comes the start of numerous classes: Living Well, Working Well, Independence and Gratitude, a new Communication and Employment and (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) classes are beginning. Staff are getting training in soft skills to assist clients. Summit is part of a group of Independent Living Centers filing a lawsuit against the state regarding issues with personal assistants and a union that may enter Montana.
Summit also offers ADA trainings for those interested.
Homeword
Homeword is conducting their resident survey this week and the response rate has been good so far. Their administrative assistant has moved on and the job posting closes on Friday. Homebuyer Education classes have been filling up two weeks in advance, and a Financial Fitness course will be held next week.
Rural Employment Opportunities
Things are going well at REO and Will is seeing two to four walk-ins and referrals each week. The application process has been streamlined with the start of the new fiscal year. A new requirement for the Access Opportunities program means that clients enrolled who aren’t in training or employment must exit within 30 days.
REO hopes to establish an MOU with Missoula Job Service to coordinate services as a model to be used with other Job Service offices.
Wendy Mair is leaving to return to Utah and take a position with NAMI. Today is her last day and her departure is a big loss for REO.
Council Groves
Lots of residents are moving in and out this time of year and there is plenty of residential, commercial and road construction in the area. The waiting list for units varies based on bedroom size, and like MHA, there is an appeals process for those deemed ineligible.
Opportunity Resources
Opportunity Resources (ORI) has been busy and have a large number of job openings they are having a hard time filling. Autumn Fest will take place on September 12 and is a fun event for children and adults. This year is ORI’s Diamond Anniversary and part of the celebration includes a Gala on November 7. ORI is finding employers are stepping up and being very supportive of hiring and employing people with disabilities.
