Narrative: e. 4. C.

Outreach staff professional development and training: To ensure all staff including our dedicated MSFW outreach workers, are adequately trained and have the professional skills necessary to provide services, the State Workforce Agency (SWA) evaluates and provides the professional development needed  to ensure quality services to MSFW’s. The SWA provides new and existing employee training on the wide range of state, federal and community-based services available to MSFWs, agency policies and practices, the Complaint System including identifying ES and non-ES complaints and, recording and reporting using proper complaint logs and forms. Wagner Peyser staff act as the primary interface with most job seeker participants entering the one-stop delivery system, whether entrance is through bricks and mortar facilities, virtual on line, while conducting a field visit or through community events sponsored, supported or attended by the SWA. Wagner Peyser funded outreach staff conduct initial triage and provide resource navigation and referral services. Staff are trained in job skill assessment, labor market information and research, resume writing and effective job search strategies, career pathway awareness and community resources. It is imperative that staff have the skills necessary to do this in a customer-centric manner in accordance with Section 188 and the requirements identified in the local area MOUs regarding referrals and access to system partner services. Staff effectively provide or relay all the required information such as that listed under basic career services.

Outreach Worker Training and Awareness Across Core Programs: Training is provided by the State Workforce Agency (SWA). Outreach staff are trained in basic unemployment insurance (UI) requirements, including identifying work test issues ensuring that an individual whom a State determines to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits is able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work in accordance with the State's unemployment compensation law or assisting in resolving UI claimant problems in coordination with our UI partner team members. State merit staff are educated on WIOA partner services specific to their service area to assist job seekers prepare for and obtain employment, and to help employers fill job vacancies with qualified job seekers. Outreach staff are familiar with the recruitment and retention challenges the agriculture employer community faces,  and are trained to provide the education, training and referrals needed to fill vacancies. Maine has an active statewide action team membership involving partners from community colleges, adult education, rehabilitation services, economic development, WIOA Title 1 service providers, workforce board members, and others to encourage staff education on services, build solid working relationships at the state and regional level, and  identify resources to assess and support MSFWs and agricultural and other business workforce needs.