Narrative: e. 4. E.

The SMA has played an active role in developing the AOP with the SWA.

Services Provided to Employers and MSFWs through the One-Stop System

The SMA will promote and encourage the provision and coordination of MSFW services to the AJCs with Motivation Education & Training Inc. (MET, Inc.) (the state WIOA Section 167, National Farmworker Jobs Program [NFJP] grantee), state and local agricultural agencies, farm organizations and other agricultural stakeholders. These organizations will include:

• Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

• Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter

• Louisiana Farm Bureau

• American Sugar Cane League

• Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council

• Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association

• Latino Farmers’ Cooperative of Louisiana Inc.

• Louisiana Department of Education Migrant Education

• University of Louisiana-Monroe Continuing Education/Delta Community College DeltaLinc

• Louisiana Primary Care Association Inc.

• USDOL Wage and Hour Division

• USDOL Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• Louisiana Association of Cooperatives

• Legal aid organizations

• Migration and refugee centers

• Other organizations

The monitor advocate will continue to coordinate with the LWC Occupational Safety and Health Administration Consultation (OSHA Consultation) section to provide outreach and safety information and training to agricultural employers and employees. Some of the training may be provided either on the job site or in the local area. Safety information and resources will be provided to partners and organizations to hand out to their agricultural clients. LWC will continue to disseminate safety and employment-related information through the agricultural network.

Services Provided to Agricultural Employers and MSFWs through the ONE-STOP CENTERs

Efforts by LWC to promote and facilitate the provision of services to MSFWs and increase the number of MSFWs in labor exchange activities will be conducted through the AJCs. Locally, the centers will coordinate the services of One-Stop partners, community based organizations, the state MSFW contacts, MSFW groups, state cooperative extension service, parish (county) agents and other agencies and organizations listed above to do the following:

1. Give local presentations on AJC services, including the LWC Star Jobs portal, accessible online and through smartphones.

2. Set up and utilize an integrated referral system to provide maximum services to MSFWs.

3. Encourage employers to utilize the Agricultural Recruiting System (ARS).

4. Provide required employer posters and other handouts in the English language and in Spanish.

5. Meet on a regular basis to exchange information, discuss problems, and coordinate efforts.

6. Offer to distribute their information pamphlets during outreach contacts and provide materials for them to distribute to MSFWs.

7. Offer services that are relative to their needs.

8. Advise them of all employment changes affecting their community.

LWC has partnered with Motivation, Education and Training (MET) to assist Louisiana in providing increased services to MSFWs and farmworker employers. One MET, Inc. office is co-located in an AJC.

The SMA will work with LWC administrative and local office staff on issues of concern (compliance with equity indicators, reviving local interest, proper documentation of services, etc.) This technical assistance is provided to all AJC staff as needed.

The SMA will provide training and follow-up on the outreach and provision of services to MSFWs to AJC staff throughout the state. The staff will be encouraged to query clients to better identify MSFWs and record them in the HiRE system. Staff will provide the full array of employment services, including the labor-exchange system, of which the ARS is a part. The labor exchange system provides job openings in both agricultural and non-agricultural employment. Other services, such as training or supportive services, provide a pathway for MSFWs to transition to higher-wage jobs and permanent year-round employment in non-agricultural work.

All complaints from MSFWs alleging violations of employment-related standards and laws shall be taken in writing by the AJC staff, and referred to the SMA. The local staff will attempt a timely resolution of non-MSFW complaints, if possible. In the event the local staffs are not able to resolve the complaint, the complainant will be referred, as appropriate, to the USDOL Wage & Hour Division or other agencies and organizations that may play a role in resolving complaints. The complaint records will be reported quarterly to the SMA.