In Attendance
- Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
- Sherri Breneman, Job Corps
- Kelly Deniger, Missoula Palmer Office
- Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
- Kristi Harman, Missoula Job Service
- Erica House, Job Corps
- Mickey Lyngholm, Missoula College UM
- Connie McDonald, YWCA
- Jude Monson, Summit Independent Living Center
- Robin Nielson-Cerquone, Missoula City-County Health Department
- Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
- Jodi Rasmussen, Lifelong Learning Center
- Diane Savage-Connor, Opportunity Resources
- Shelly Scotti, Mountain Home Montana
- Alicia Walker, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Megan Westover, Mountain Home Montana
Agenda
Community Health Assessment
The 2014 Community Health Assessment for Missoula County was released. An emerging issue identified in our area is poverty for young adults and young families, specifically adults not in school. Data shows the cost of housing is high and wages are low, but more information is needed to concretely identify causes and determine possible solutions. The Community Health Assessment Work Group is looking to bring additional partners to the table who have insight into the issues facing young families and adults in our community. Anyone interested in getting involved or learning more is welcome.
Copies of the 2014 Community Health Assessment are available online at www.missoulacounty.us/health.
Vocational Rehabilitation Transitions Program
Vocational Rehabilitation is under new obligations due to legislative changes. One of the biggest changes has been a new emphasis on reaching transition-aged youth, and a large chunk of the budget has been set aside for this purpose. Vocational Rehabilitation will be serving freshman and sophomore students and up.
Once contracts are signed, school districts will receive funding to increase work opportunities and bring in outside agencies to work with students. Vocational Rehabilitation will continue to have counselors in schools providing individualized services.
Vocational Rehabilitation is also increasing their connections with post-secondary schools and apprenticeship opportunities. Long-term goals include helping youth prepare early so that they may need less assistance as adults.
Vocational Rehabilitation is currently in Order of Selection and only serving people categorized as Priority 1 or 2. People categorized as Priority 3 will be placed on a waiting list. Correct categorization is a priority during Order of Selection to ensure people are receiving the services they qualify for.
Updates
Opportunity Resources
Opportunity Resources has hired additional staff to assist with their high workload. They are receiving many referrals from Vocational Rehabilitation and doing more assessments with youth.
The Art from the Heart holiday art sale is ongoing and located in the lobby of the Opportunity Resources building on South Russell. The sale will continue until December 24. Calendars are available.
Hal Pulling was recognized as Community Rehab Provider of the year by MAR.
Opportunity Resource’s 60th anniversary gala, held in November, was a smashing success.
E-cycling is ongoing. Items can be dropped off or picked up by calling 721-2930.
Lifelong Learning Center
The ongoing partnership with Missoula College is going very well. Incoming students have the opportunity to improve their writing and math skills before beginning college courses, saving them the time and cost of taking remedial classes that do not count towards their degrees.
The Lifelong Learning Center is interested in applying for a new grant targeting out-of-school people ages 17 – 29. The grant would assist with getting people into training for IT careers, then moving into on-the-job training or apprenticeship opportunities. The formal RFP will be released on December 14. Approximately 140 people may be served through the grant.
A second apprenticeship grant of interest may be released in a few more months.
Job Corps
Job Corps is always looking for referrals and to connect with former enrollees.
YWCA
The YWCA has changed their Rapid Rehousing program after noticing that many participants were running into trouble at the end of the six-month assistance period. In response, assistance is now provided for 12 months and additional case management is offered. Income requirements have also been removed. Since the changes were implemented, about 50 adults and children have been placed in shelter.
The number of emergency housing rooms has increased from 7 to 12, shortening the wait list. YWCA is conducting an online request for support to keep the extra five rooms available through the end of March.
YWCA is always looking for volunteers.
Missoula Housing Authority
Missoula Housing Authority is taking over management of the Parkside Apartments; staff will be joining the Missoula Housing Authority. Parkside Apartments adds 104 units to the affordable housing portfolio.
Forty-one families are back in the Phoenix Apartments. Some of them are former occupants.
An occupied rehabilitation of River Ridge will begin in 2016.
Missoula Housing Authority has seen some staffing turnover and internal promotions. Two positions are currently open: a receptionist position and a finance specialist.
Missoula Job Service
Carlye Markum is no longer with the Missoula Job Service. Mike Williams is taking on her duties in the Programs department and her supervisor position will not be refilled. Instead, two employment consultant positions were advertised. Review of the 74 applications is under way.
RESEA appointments are sending larger than expected numbers of unemployment insurance claimants into the Missoula Job Service. Programs staff is training to handle the workload, and upstairs staff will assist as needed.
Funding for retraining is still available for people unemployed through no fault of their own and those with low incomes.
Missoula Job Service met with officials at the University of Montana regarding the upcoming layoffs. Many of the positions slated for elimination are already vacant, so less employees may be affected than initially reported. Workshops for affected employees will begin in January to assist them with filing for unemployment benefits and advise them of retraining options and services available to them.
Missoula College UM
Decisions based on the budget situation at the University of Montana are still being made, but positive changes are occurring as a result. The budget issues are stimulating new connections between departments and recruitment is in focus.
The Rev Up grant is in the middle of its last year. Spending will end on September 30, 2016. The grant is meeting participant goals and exceeding placement goals.
The HealthCARE Montana grant is still in the planning and implementation phase.
Mountain Home Montana
Clients are moving through the program faster and the waiting list is short. Mountain Home did very well on a recent review of its new IPS plan. Relationships with employers in the community are strong. Megan Westover is taking a sabbatical and Shelly Scotti will take over the program manager position. Another coordinator will be hired in the near future. Clients are receiving assistance to further their education.
Summit Independent Living Center
Summit is hiring a part-time independent living specialist. The position will be advertised through December 18. The new employee will assist people with Social Security and teach classes.
Additional staff are receiving training to facilitate courses for youth. They are seeing more referrals.
The My Transitions website has online training for soft skills.
