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Plan: West Virginia PYs 2020-2023
Unified Plan U

Section: Wagner-Peyser Act

Narrative: e. 6. B.

Published
Located in:

e. 6. B. Review and Public Comment

In developing the AOP, the SWA must solicit information and suggestions from NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other interested organizations. In addition, at least 45 calendar days before submitting its final AOP, the SWA must provide a proposed plan to NFJP grantees, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other organizations expressing an interest and allow at least 30 days for review and comment. The SWA must: 1) Consider any comments received in formulating its final proposed AOP; 2) Inform all commenting parties in writing whether their comments have been incorporated and, if not, the reasons therefore; and 3) Transmit the comments and recommendations received and its responses with the submission of the AOP.

The AOP must include a statement confirming NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations and other interested employer organizations have been given an opportunity to comment on the AOP.  Include the list of organizations from which information and suggestions were solicited, any comments received, and responses to those comments.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

The WIOA State Plan was posted on our website at workforecewv.org in January of 2020. All agricultural employers, associations, public agencies, MSFW partners and interested parties were sent an email to go to https://www.workforcewv.gov to review AOP's section. Generally, the SWA receives comments from community staff members of partner agencies for the AOP, Telamon Corporation and Shenandoah Valley Medical Services and several others. Currently, at least two (2) Local Workforce Investment Board Directors and four (4) agricultural employers have provided information; two (2) gave written statements and  two (2)  gave verbal information, during field visits. Comments are included this 2020 Agricultural Outreach Plan and are listed below.

  • Tighter border control since 9/11 and delayed in processing the H2A VISA (https://money.cnn.com/2016/09/29/news/economy/american-farm-workers/index.html)
    • Delayed arrival of farm workers to U.S. in 2018, a grower reported having half of the crew at the camp and the other half on hold in the border.
    • Early arrival and early departure of farm workers in 2019.
  • Haitians are ineligible for the H-2A farmworker visa because as Officials cited "high levels of fraud and abuse" and "a high rate of overstaying" visas (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2018-01-26/florida-farmers-fear-backlash-over-migrant-worker-visa-program).
  • Shenandoah Valley Medical System (SVMS) had 38 Haitian’s at Mason camp in 2017, and in 2018, we had 50 Mexican migrant workers and we were able to assess 44% (28) of the workers because of understaffed. In 2019, we performed 25 nursing assessments at Mason camp.
  • A reduction from 28 to 22 migrant camps in 2019:
    • Westwood camp closed for business.
    • The grower is not using Hilltop camp this year.
    • SCH service area change and the following camp’s zip code were not listed:
      • Cherry Hill
      • Holman’s Creek
      • Mason
      • Mount Clifton
      • Vetters
      • Brent
      • Whitacre
      • Shanholtz
      • Bragunier
        • Only approved to go to Brent, Bragunier and south camps in 2019.
  • In 2019, 5 farm workers were expected at Burkhart camp and they were zero farm workers this year.
  • 212 MFSWs expected to the South camps in 2019
    • 48 Farm workers expected at Holman’s Creek, and we were able to assess 58% (28) of the workers
    • 50 Farm workers expected at Mason, and we were able to assess 50% (25) of the workers
    • 60 Farm workers expected at Mount Clifton, and we were able to assess 55% (33) of the workers
    • 24 Farm workers expected at Cherry Hill, and we were able to assess 38% (9) of the workers
    • 30 Farm workers expected at Vetters, and we were able to assess 43% (13) of the workers
  • Understaffed for 2019 outreach.
  • Decline of Mexican birthrate led to decrease in the number of young workers & the migrants are getting older
  • 2017: Average age 38, ages’ range 25-57
  • 2018: Average age 43, ages’ range 26-64
  • 2019: Average age 36, ages’ range 24-64

In conclusion, SVMS accomplished the following in the last two years:

  • The total number of MSFWs served in 2019 was 596.
  • The health conditions seen were Hypertension, Diabetes and skin conditions such as Poison Ivy. In addition, muscle pain was the primary concern of the farm workers.
  • We drove 14,565 miles in 2018 to provide access to care to 748 migrant farm workers and 365 individuals that gather at the homeless sites.
  • In 2018, 374 migrant workers received health education: Spanish 68%, Spanish/English 17%, Spanish/Creole 5%, Creole 5%, and English 5%.
  • In 2019, 166 migrant workers received health education: Spanish 84% (139), Spanish/English 10% (16), and Creole 6% (11).
    • 16 farm workers received health education on Ergonomics,
    • 46 farm workers received health education on Mental Health Self-Care
    • 104 farm workers received health education on Poison Ivy Skin Care
  • In 2018, SVMS reduced the barriers to care by performing 6,450 interpretation services at SCH-clinics.
  • In 2018, SVMS visited a new migrant camp, Abelow in Kearneysville, WV. We performed 18 nursing assessments, and 16 migrant workers received health education about Drugs & Alcohol Abuse.
  • In 2019, SVMS found that Woodbine has two camp locations. The new location is at the actual office area.
  • In 2018, 25 migrant workers received dental services and in addition, one child at Healthy Smiles.
  • In 2019, 14 migrant workers received dental services, 12 were no show and two cancel the appointment at Healthy Smiles. In addition, two children received dental care.
  • Region 2 Local Workforce Development Board can do training programs, employment subsidies to employers for qualified employees, sponsor Career fairs, and a supply of possible workers in partnership with Workforce WV Job Service-we have experience with assisting a lavender farm that has been placed on strip coal mining property.