Narrative: e. 3.

The MSFW Program (bilingual) Resource Guide provides staff and agency contact information. The information is important and sometimes crucial to MSFWs, whether they are seeking agricultural or non-agricultural employment. The MLRs post contact information with local businesses and agencies that are frequented by the MSFWs. In addition to the types of employment services available, this includes tear-off tabs with their names and phone numbers. These postings are written in English and Spanish. This is consistent with our commitment to universal access to labor exchange services and the requirement to ensure that all job seekers with LEP and/or little or no computer knowledge or access to computer-based labor exchange services will be still be provided services and assistance. There are 48 one-stop Workforce Centers throughout Minnesota. The Workforce Center programs are targeted to dislocated workers, low-income adults, disadvantaged youth, welfare-to-work participants, Veterans and low-income seniors.

However, any person who lives in Minnesota can use their services. The centers offer many different classes and workshops. "New Leaf" is a workshop designed for job seekers who must address a criminal record in their job search. "Career Exploration" is a workshop that allows participants to take several assessments to find matching career options. In "Networking Groups," job seekers discuss networking, job search techniques, job interviewing and other related topics. The centers also have services geared specifically for veterans, including veterans networking groups, job clubs and reintegration training. Workshops to help with job search and career planning. Examples of workshops include:

• Interviewing skills

• Networking

• Internet job searches

• Completing job applications • Resumes and cover letters

The SMA and MLRs hold informational meetings twice per season at the camps to provide information relevant to the MSFWs such as the Employment Service Complaint Process, the Unemployment Compensation application process and the full range of employment services available at the local one-stop centers. The meeting notice is posted in advance, and held in the evening and or a weekend day, to accommodate shift work schedules. Other MSFW service provider agencies attend and present regarding agency service eligibility, type of services and benefits available. The meetings are well attended by the workers and their families and provide the outreach workers an opportunity to exchange agency contact information with other agency staff.

The MLRs continue to contact farm workers at their work sites, living areas and gathering places. The MLRs collaborate with advocacy groups including County Social Service agencies (SNAP), Migrant Education centers, Health Service centers, local community agencies, Migrant Head Start, Migrant Legal Services and other service providers to enable them to provide outreach and locate farm workers that are missed through WorkForce Center outreach efforts. The cooperative referral arrangements with these agencies are based on long-standing agreements. Minnesota has a Memorandum of Understanding with Motivation, Education and Training, Inc. (MET) the NFJP grantee.

Outreach staff also contact agricultural and non-agricultural employers, providing them with information about the employment services available for employers such as posting jobs, viewing resumes, hiring priority targeted populations, apprentice programs, WOTC, tax credit program and local Job Fairs. We distribute informational pamphlets directed to agricultural and non-agricultural employers that include contact information for the local Workforce Strategy Consultants. The SMA visits communities with substantial farmworker activity to meet with workers, local agencies and employers, to access their needs and determine the effectiveness of the WorkForce Center services. Also, promoting to employers the labor exchange system services website which contains information of particular importance to agricultural and non-ag-employers.

Agricultural and non-agricultural employers in the area are provided information on:

• Posting their job orders, Job Fairs, Apprenticeship programs

• Interstate and intrastate clearance orders, Job Fairs

• Federal and state employment compliance regulations

• The availability of presentations by compliance agencies to growers associations, and other affected groups and organizations

• Field and quality assessments

• Mediation/interpreter services

• Liaison between migrant service providers and employer

The State Monitor Advocate (SMA) visits communities with substantial MSFW activity to meet with employers, to review and assess their needs and determine the effectiveness of the WorkForce Center services provided. The SMA works with the MLR’s to promote the labor exchange system and workforce system programs and services which contains information of particular importance to agricultural and non-ag-employers.