Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
e. 1. Assessment of Need. Provide an assessment of the unique needs of farmworkers in the area based on past and projected agricultural and farmworker activity in the State. Such needs may include but are not limited to: employment, training, and housing.
Current Narrative:
Housing and transportation are the two primary needs of farmworkers. Since many of the temporary farmworkers do not live close to their employer, housing and transportation are unique needs of the migrant seasonal farmworker (MSFW). Only about 12 % of employers who hire MSFWs provide some type of housing for their workers and even fewer provide some sort of transportation. As the AES staff visit with employers who are looking for workers, housing and transportation needs are pointed out as possible problems for workers. Staff will work with the employer to help remedy these problems.
Missouri’s Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) population is predominately Hispanic. During spring and fall peak seasons the migrant worker population is estimated between 6,000 to 8,000 and during non-peak season it is estimated to be less than 1000. Housing and transportation are the two primary needs of farmworkers, as well as childcare, based on information gathered during outreach activities performed by SWA staff and the National Farmworker Jobs Program grantee UMOS to migrant camps and employers. Since many of the temporary farmworkers do not live close to their employer, housing and transportation are unique needs of MSFWs. Only about 12 % of employers who hire MSFWs provide some type of housing for their workers and even fewer provide some sort of transportation. Staff will continue working with the employer, MSFWs and collaborate with UMOS to help remedy these concerns.