Narrative: e. 4.

Outreach activities: Services provided to migrant and seasonal farm workers and agricultural employers are supported by Wagner-Peyser Act merit staff and strong long standing partnerships in the communities where MSFW live and work. The State Monitor Advocate, along with merit outreach staff, provide a full range of services through the American Job Centers and geographic areas of primary agricultural activity throughout the state. Wagner-Peyser Act funding is used to support the State Monitor Advocate position, outeach staff and the delivery of services to MSFWs, other agricultural workers, and agricultural employers through Maine’s one-stop American Job Centers.

Maine, as compared to many states, has a very low number of migrant and seasonal farm workers operating in distinct geographic pockets of the state. The State Monitor Advocate position effectively carries out the core State Monitor Advocate functions and responsibilities as defined by USDOL (20 CFR 653.108). The State Monitor Advocate (SMA) also attends to foreign labor certification (FLC) related job orders for H-2A, provides reviews of Agricultural Clearance Orders (ETA-790) intended for H-2A, and conducts farm labor camp inspections related to H-2A FLC applications.

The chart below shows the number of MSFWs projected to receive services in year one of the approved Plan (2020/2021). Farmworker and MSFW numbers have continued to decline slowly over the last several years. It is anticipated that the number of MSFWs will continue to remain relatively static, with no anticipated change over the next four years. American Job Centers throughout the State are the primary source for provision of Wagner Peyser services to the MSFW population. Examples of these services include: registration with the Maine JobLink (MJL), job referrals, job counseling, and referrals to supportive services.