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. Agricultural Outreach Plan (AOP). Each State agency must develop an AOP every four years as part of the Unified or Combined State Plan required under sections 102 or 103 of WIOA. The AOP must include an assessment of need. An assessment need describes 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.
- 4. Outreach Activities
The local offices outreach activities must be designed to meet the needs of MSFWs in the State and to locate and contact MSFWs who are not being reached through normal intake activities. Describe the State agency's proposed strategies for:
- 4. Outreach Activities
- e. Agricultural Outreach Plan (AOP). Each State agency must develop an AOP every four years as part of the Unified or Combined State Plan required under sections 102 or 103 of WIOA. The AOP must include an assessment of need. An assessment need describes 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.
e. 4. B. Providing technical assistance to outreach staff. Technical assistance must include trainings, conferences, additional resources, and increased collaboration with other organizations on topics such as one-stop center services (i.e. availability of referrals to training, supportive services, and career services, as well as specific employment opportunities), the Employment Service and Employment-Related Law Complaint System (“Complaint System” described at 20 CFR 658 Subpart E), information on the other organizations serving MSFWs in the area, and a basic summary of farmworker rights, including their rights with respect to the terms and conditions of employment.
Current Narrative:
Collectively, the Targeted Populations Outreach Coordinator and State Monitor Advocate developed training began providing to our Local Office Outreach staff. This training included WIOA Titles I & III, including the ES Complaint system.
In calendar 2021, we conducted our initial One-Stop Center monitoring and technical assistance reviews. These reviews were conducted virtually and provided an opportunity to make One-Stop Center staff aware of various service gaps as well as provide technical assistance regarding the provision of services to MSFWs and the Complaint System.
Additionally, these reviews provided an opportunity to reiterate the components of State Policy 19-05, Serving Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers. This policy can be found at: https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/src/files/PY_19-05_Serving_Migrant_and_Seasonal_Farmworkers-2.pdf.
Finally, ADWS has coordinated with the WIOA Section 167 NFJP recipient with regard to MSFW needs, and to facilitate or provide intensive services and training services. ADWS has engaged with other agricultural groups, associations and organizations for the purpose of identifying available services and referral opportunities to assist MSFWs. Similarly, ADWS has developed a relationship with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture due to this agency's close working relationship with the State's agricultural employers.