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. 6. A. Collaboration
Describe any collaborative agreements the state workforce agency (SWA) has with other MSFW service providers including NFJP grantees and other service providers. Describe how the SWA intends to build upon/increase collaboration with existing partners and in establishing new partners over the next four years (including any approximate timelines for establishing agreements or building upon existing agreements).
Current Narrative:
Cooperative Agreement with PathStone
The PRDOLHR signed a cooperative agreement with PathStone (to be amended as indicated below to include additional requirements established by federal law) to provide a comprehensive outreach program for MSFWs. Prior to the COVID emergency, both PRDOLHR and PathStone met to discuss to amend their agreement to enforce the responsibilities of each partner. WP management at the AJCs will have the task to administer the agreement at the local level by ensuring that quarterly meetings are held to discuss what issues need attention within the agreement, so services reach the MSFWs community served by the significant career centers. The SMA or its representative must attend all meetings and properly document them preparing minutes.
Legal Services of Puerto Rico
The PRDOLHR has an agreement with the Puerto Rico Legal Services Program (a non-profit) to provide orientation and information to MSFWs who migrate to the United States to work in farm work through the Federal Agricultural Job Order Clearing System. The selected MSFWs are briefed on their rights in relation to the specific job order. If any MSFW needs legal assistance due to apparent violations of their rights by the agricultural employer who hired them, the PRDOLHR coordinates the assistance of Legal Services Staff to address their needs. The SMA receives reports and participates in the coordination of assistance facilitating processes, keeping records and following up as needed. In order to build upon this collaboration, quarterly meetings will be held to discuss what issues need attention within the agreement, so services reach the MSFWs community served by the significant career centers. The SMA or its representative must attend all meetings and properly document them preparing minutes.
Potential New Partners
The PRDOLHR recognizes the extraordinary service to MSFWs provided by Migrant Health, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing health and family services to the MSFWs communities, particularly in the Southwestern region of Puerto Rico. With that in mind, the PRDOLHR will engage in communications with this entity to explore ways in which our Outreach workers might participate in some of their events to reach more MSFWs and provide services accordingly.
The PR Farm Bureau (PRFB) is another potential partner with whom the PRDOLHR wishes to establish a closer relationship aimed to coordinate better services to the Agricultural employers. The PRFB is known to have frequent meetings to discuss issues affecting the agricultural employers and is a great resource to facilitate processes pertaining job order referrals, H2A program knowledge, and rights and responsibilities when serving the MSFWs.
Once PRDOLHR establishes communication with both entities, we will determine if there is a possibility to establish an agreement and provide an approximate timeline for doing this.