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:
As a non-significant MSFW state, the local One-Stop Centers cooperate and work closely with MET, Inc. in three geographical areas; Franklin Parish and surrounding areas, Tangipahoa Parish, and Iberia Parish and surrounding areas.
A MET, Inc. office is co-housed in the One-Stop Center in Iberia Parish. MET, Inc. encourages all customers and requires all NFJP trainees to register into HIRE, the state’s labor exchange system. The SMA developed and assisted MET, Inc. and local WOIA providers in developing MOUs which were signed in February 2019.
The coordinated services will focus upon:
- Coordinated outreach to MSFWs,
- Properly identifying MSFWs,
- Assessments of needs,
- Coordinated individual service plans designed to leverage funds from each program,
- Co-enrollment when appropriate and advantageous,
- Coordination and referrals to supportive services.
SWA staff and the SMA will maintain contact with the LDOE Migrant Education Program (MEP) to promote the program for the children of migrant parents (whether MSFWs or non-agricultural migrants) and to promote One-Stop services to the parents of MEP students and youths in the program. Likewise, the MEP operators may refer people to the One-Stop Centers.
The SMA has made contact with the Catholic Charities Louisiana Office for Refugees (LOR). Although their clients would rarely, if ever, qualify as MSFW, it is possible some may become eligible after resettlement. Also, some may be referred to agricultural employment.
The SMA has made contact with the Migrant Clinicians Network and with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is working on preparing memorandums of understanding with both. The Migrant Clinicians Network offers free clinic services as well as free vaccination to migrant and seasonal workers free of charge. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce helps with advertisement of and referrals to agricultural jobs. Contact with partners and stakeholders is ongoing, at a minimum quarterly meetings are conducted with NFJP partners and supporting organizations.
The SMA will promote and encourage the provision and coordination of MSFW services to the One-Stop Centers with MET, Inc., state and local agricultural agencies, farm organizations, and other agricultural stakeholders. The SMA will encourage One-Stop Centers to engage in relationships with these organizations for outreach and the provision of services. These organizations will include:
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Migrant Clinicians Network
- Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry,
- Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter,
- Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation,
- American Sugar Cane League,
- Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council,
- Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association,
- Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana, Inc.
- Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) Migrant Education,
- University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Continuing Education/Delta Community College DeltaLinc,
- Louisiana Primary Care Association, Inc.,
- USDOL Wage and Hour Division (WHD),
- USDOL Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA),
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
- The Louisiana Association of Cooperatives
- Legal aid organizations,
- Migration and refugee centers,
- Other service or advocacy organizations.
The SMA will continue to coordinate with the LWC Occupational Safety and Health Administration Consultation (OSHA Consultation) section to provide outreach and safety information and training to agricultural employers and employees. Some of the training may be provided either on the job site or in the local area. Safety information and resources will be provided to partners and organizations to hand out to their agricultural clients. LWC will continue to disseminate safety and employment related information through the agricultural network.