In Attendance
- Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
- Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
- Maggie Driscoll, Human Resource Council District XI
- Gisele Forrest, Council Groves Apartments
- Monique Fortmann, Lifelong Learning Center
- Kristi Harman, Missoula Job Service
- Cheryl Lauridson, Missoula Women’s Center
- Jeannine Lovell, Homeword
- Mickey Lyngholm, Missoula College UM
- Jim Morton, Human Resource Council District XI
- Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
- Jodi Rasmussen, Lifelong Learning Center
- Shelly Scotti, Mountain Home Montana
- Thomas Smith, WORD
- Alicia Walker, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Sarah Wimmer, Missoula Palmer Office
- Emma Young, Child Care Resources
Agenda
Tech Hire GrantWolf and Monique went over the details of the Tech Hire grant.
Bridges out of Poverty Training
Certified instructors Amanda Taylor and Annie Glover will present Bridges out of Poverty training on January 21 and 22. This free course is one day long and will be repeated on January 22. Class sizes are limited to 25 people per day. Training runs from 8:30 – 4:30 with an hour lunch (not provided).
Due to the expansion of Medicaid, Job Service may have more people coming in the door. Medicaid expansion includes a small premium that can be waived for participants if they meet certain requirements, such as enrolling in school or receiving services from Job Service. Approximately 3,500 people have signed up in Missoula County, though the number of people who will choose to visit Job Service is still unknown. Funding for these services is also unknown.
Missoula Women’s Center
The Missoula Women’s Center is a faith-based recovery program serving adult women (18+). The 12 – 18 month program has a much higher success rate than 30-, 60- or 90-day alternatives often publicized in the media. Many referrals come from CPS, the justice system and churches. The residential program deals with all kinds of addictions and is connected with Teen Challenge USA. Students are asked to pay half of the cost and can work in the thrift store to assist with their tuition. There is no waiting list at the moment.
An adolescent facility is located in Idaho, a men’s facility in Spokane and another women’s center that can accommodate women and children is located in Eugene, Oregon. Contact the Missoula Women’s Center to refer anyone interested.
Missoula College UM
The new semester begins on January 25. Missoula College anticipates budget changes, though full details have not been released. The construction of the new building on Broadway is going well.
Lifelong Learning Center
Classes are starting and planning for the next catalog is under way. If anyone has items to list, please send them in within the next two weeks. The catalog has been expanded to include additional space for listings. The Lifelong Learning Center is also looking for new instructors or classes.
The Supervision and Management course kicks off on January 15 and slots are still available. This course runs for four weeks and takes new managers through the basics of supervision and management.
Staff went through a full-day active resistance training in October that included classroom and live simulation components. The trainers are willing to come and conduct one-day training for CMT members. Class size is limited to 25, with a limit of two people per organization. A small fee of $25 will likely be charged to cover the cost of training.
Missoula Job Service, Palmer Office
The office is busy and changes are coming, but details are unknown at this time.
Missoula Job Service
Hiring is under way for two new employment consultants. Western Montana’s Largest Career Fair is set for April 28. Workshops for job seekers are coming up.
Michelle Dorsey will be leaving the Missoula Job Service. Starting next week, please send any communications to Wolf.
Child Care Resources
The childcare referral process is being decentralized and will return to Child Care Resources in March. An increase in provider state rates went into effect on January 1.
Mountain Home Montana
Mountain Home Montana has hired a new coordinator who will start next week. The employment program continues to grow with 10 job starts last quarter, the highest total yet. The waiting list is short.
Council Groves
Council Groves apartments are at 100 percent capacity, allowing staff to focus on various projects around the property. The waiting list is short as well.
WORD
WORD is focused on housing issues right now. The Parents as Teachers program has all new staff, and the Parents as Leaders program has classes starting soon.
Vocational Rehabilitation
A large reorganization is underway. All applications are being taken, but one tier is currently closed. The waiting list is growing as people categorized under the closed tier are added to the list. It’s possible another tier may close soon. Connections with schools are ramping up as contracts are signed and invoices submitted. The Rural Institute is doing a lot of technical assistance with Vocational Rehabilitation.
Homeword
The Financial Fitness class has 20 people registered for Saturday. A student loan section was added recently and a tax section will be added starting this month. Homebuyer education classes are always full and a resident survey was completed. The rental education program is under development and may be piloted in March or April.
Missoula Housing Authority
Missoula Housing Authority has taken over management of Parkside Village and added their three staff to Missoula Housing Authority’s roster. Groundbreaking on a new six-plex should take place soon.
Human Resource Council District XI
The energy assistance program ends in April. HRC has programs that can assist with households that are homeless or about to be homeless. 34 out-of-school youth are being served; in-school youth are being assisted towards achieving employment and finishing high school by July 1. At that point, more in-school youth will be accepted.
