Narrative: e. 3.

Oklahoma’s strategy for addressing career and training services required under the WIOA Title I provided to MSFWs through the one stop centers includes a variety of programs, services and assistance available at our centers or through partners. Such strategies include: • Informational flyers and access to computers for online application provided in outreach activities at workforce centers, at cultural/community events and through media outlets (radio) represent the best methods at this time. • Oklahoma prides itself on taking care of its citizens by whatever means are necessary within available resources. The MSFW, who seeks services through our workforce centers, is provided the same level of services as any other customer who walks through our doors. Center services include access to job postings, referrals and job developments to all types of jobs; training services through WIOA partners; assistance in registering in OKJobMatch; assessments; information on employee rights with MSFW specific rights included; a system for registering complaints; information and referrals to other agencies and providers outside of the centers; labor market information, use of computers, phones and faxes, a variety of workshops, resume assistance and language services. • The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) program is identifying significant documents, informational materials and other items used on a daily basis in our workforce centers to translate to Spanish. Additionally, translation services, in many languages, are available as needed. • Oklahoma’s OKJobMatch database system allows for a variety of language options. Additionally, there are computers available for online applications, external job search and research. • Bilingual staffs are located in offices serving those of Hispanic descent. Currently the state has seven (7) bi-lingual Spanish-speaking staff employed by OESC and five (5) bi-lingual Spanish speaking staff employed by ORO in centers where more Spanish–speaking clientele are more likely to visit. No other language group is identified to require the placement of bi-lingual staff in any other language. • Partnership with the ORO Development Corporation (ORO), a current grantee provider of the WIOA Title I Section 167 program and non-profit corporation of the State of Oklahoma, will continue to be developed and utilized by our workforce centers. ORO provides employment, training and supportive services to Oklahoma’s MSFWs, often through referral from our workforce centers. ORO is located in 5 Oklahoma Works centers and work alongside OESC staff and other partners to provide increased services in the parts of the state with higher concentration of MSFW population. Co-enrollment of ORO clients into OKJobMatch is being assessed. • OESC continues to maintain relationships with agencies who may assist or who work specifically with the MSFW; included but not limited to the Oklahoma Works, Oklahoma Department of Education, and US and Oklahoma Departments of Labor. OESC will continue to work in establishing new alliances with those entities which will be of assistance to us and the provision of services to MSFWs. • Meetings to realize a joint effort with others to locate and assist MSFWs will be attended. OESC plans to be a unifying force for this activity and networking in the future. • Cooperation between OESC’s Director of Reemployment Services Customer Service Division, WIOA Director and State Monitor Advocate will ensure MSFW needs and services are addressed throughout the State’s Workforce and WDA systems. • Increased interaction with Workforce Development Boards is anticipated to communicate needs and ensure their commitment to working with the MSFW. • Training for all center staff will include modules on definition and identification of the MSFW, addressment of rights, complaints and potential language services needed, and the Agricultural Recruitment System (ARS) as a means for proper placement of MSFWs in all agricultural jobs, especially those outside of the Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) program’s H-2A and H-2B job orders. Staff will be trained on additional resources for the MSFW and/or employers when handbook(s) are completed. A viewing of a state developed PowerPoint will be required of all new center staff addressing these items and will be available for all OESC staff new hire orientation. • Development of a center practice which requires staff to pursue contact with those MSFWs, who are registered (typically through self-registration) but not engaged in programs or services, to insure they are knowledgeable of what is available to them. • Outreach workers will take center information and services to the MSFW population unable to come to the centers. Marketing center services as a viable option for MSFWs to encourage them visiting the center in the area they work or live. • Agricultural employer services are not only addressed through common employer service at the centers, such as assistance with Federal, State and Local regulatory compliance; skills and proficiency testing; screening of applicants if required or requested; LMI; registration on OKJobMatch which includes job posting and resume search capabilities; information on several incentive programs for hiring targeted populations; and Career Readiness Certification. Agricultural employers specifically receive specialized assistance in filling their job openings through compliant job orders in OKJobMatch. Applicants are informed by Center staff regarding the conditions, duties, pay, etc… of these unique posting and applicants are screened for meeting job requirements before referral to the employer. For farmworkers or employers, presentations and technical assistance by outreach workers and/or compliance agencies is available. The use of the Agricultural Recruitment System (ARS), providing pre-occupancy housing inspections and assisting agents/employers with job posting requirements represents some other services provided.