Narrative: a. 11.

Office of Workforce Development (OWD)

• For FY24, DSS Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives is contracting directly with the Workforce Development Boards (WDB) which allows for streamlined training, increased partner collaboration and continuous improvement. The OWD Job Center staff create referrals for clients who are in need of services beyond Wagner-Peyser to the WDB staff. The WDB staff have access to reports on SNAP clients being served by OWD so referrals can be made to SkillUP. DSS Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives continues to utilize the MOJobs system and this allows for co-enrollment and blended services. In addition, DSS Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives staff are appointed to boards, attend board meetings, and speak at functions hosted by the boards.

Missouri Community College Association (MCCA)

• MCCA continues to provide non-credit short-term training for SkillUP clients. MCCA contracts with East Central College, Jefferson College, Metropolitan Community College, Mineral Area College, Moberly Area Community College, Ozarks Technical Community College, to implement SkillUP on their campuses.   
• Each college provides enhanced student support services through their career counselors, which includes intensive advising, case management and coordination of supportive services with other SkillUP providers. The colleges will either provide work or travel related supportive services or will coordinate with other providers who have these resources available. These supportive services will be available for participants who lack personal funds and who have exhausted all other means of obtaining funding to meet these needs. These funds will be used to pay for books, uniforms, testing for job requirements, certifications not included in tuition, cab fare to and from school, bus passes to and from school, and gas cards. These funds are available through TA allowable expenses for students with child(ren). For students without child(ren), MCCA will partner with the local Job Centers to provide these services.
• Career advisors and intrusive navigators will interview participants, and test via WorkKeys assessments when appropriate, to prepare for and guide participants toward an accelerated training program that will provide skills to secure a high demand job.
• There are various ways colleges may engage participants in the SkillUP program. Colleges may develop their own marketing campaigns to reach potential participants. They may also develop reverse referral processes to build relationships with local program providers which are referring back to the colleges. Colleges may approach local businesses about cohort training for which participants may be eligible. SkillUP program providers will be provided with a complete listing of program components being offered by the colleges.
• Colleges provide educational training through various short terms-a year or less- programs. An addendum at the end of the plan includes short term, credit and noncredit programs available at each of the participating schools. This list changes based on employer’s needs.
• All efforts are made to guide participants to these programs; however, some may present who have unique circumstances or needs that require prerequisites before entering a program. Those courses will be offered for participants who require them.
• Post training supervised job search assistance will be made available to participants through college career centers where available and referring back to local job centers, with the ultimate goal of supporting participants in securing gainful employment.

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS)

• The DSS contracted with ARCHS to provide SkillUP services. The SkillUP project is funded with TANF funds and the timeframe is July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. Continued implementation of this project is dependent on TANF allocation through the State budget. ARCHS is only allocated TANF funding to serve SNAP recipients, ages 16-24 or 25 and older with a minor child. 

ARCHS/Better Family Life (BFL)

ARCHS is contracted with Better Family Life in the St. Louis Promise Zone to provide SkillUP services. ARCHS provides SkillUP services through TA allowable expenses which includes, but is not limited to: rental assistance, transportation related expenses, work related expenses, payment of insurance and other expenses that cause barriers to employment.

This was a successful pilot project in state FY2019 in St. Louis City and St. Louis County to address intergenerational poverty for a target population of Food Stamp recipients with child(ren) under one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the Federal Poverty Level. This project continues to provide support and resources to reduce and end the dependency on government benefits with an integrated service model that:

• • Implements strengths-based, holistic approaches toward cognitive behavioral changes through encouragement, empowerment and motivational tools that promote economic support.
  • Intervenes and provides the support or the referrals necessary to support education, employment and career development, child care, child support, housing, legal services, and other needs of the participant to be successful in obtaining and retaining family supporting employment.

The target area is the communities within the St. Louis Promise Zone where the majority of households live at forty percent (40%) of the national poverty level. The following cities and zip codes are included within the Promise Zone:

• • North St. Louis City - 63105
  • Bel-Ridge – 63114, 63121 and 63134
  • Dellwood – 63135 and 63136
  • Ferguson - 63135
  • Pagedale - 63133
  • Pine Lawn – 63120 and 63121
  • Northwoods - 63121
  • Wellston  - 63133
  • St. Louis City – 63112 and 63118

Missouri Community Action Network (MOCAN)

Missouri Community Action Network (MOCAN) was established to unify and represent all 19 Community Action agencies, allies, and supporters statewide in Missouri committed to ending poverty. Missouri CAN is an active nonprofit association and widely respected as a strong advocate for services that help communities reduce poverty and serve as a voice for low-income families. Community Action Agencies provide a variety of programs for low-income clients such as life-skill classes, financial management training, family support services, food and nutrition services, sponsored health programs and in-home services, and housing and energy cost assistance. Adding SkillUP to the services allows them to offer an opportunity for family supporting employment with the already provided wrap-around services. From school readiness programs like Head Start, to employment training and workforce development, the agencies offer opportunities that teach children beginning academics and provide adults with labor skills needed to land a stable job and secure family sustaining employment.

Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA)

Starting as a single county Community Action Agency in 1965 and growing to an 8-agency serving eight counties, CMCA’s desire and ability to adapt to the needs of those in poverty and develop innovative approaches, have been paramount in allowing them to remain in the forefront in the war on poverty. Being proactive in the community has also helped prepare CMCA for the many changes it has undergone. However, one constant goal in a sea of change has been CMCA’s mission: to help income eligible individuals and families achieve self-reliance through partnerships with the community. CMCA is dedicated to many projects within the eight counties they serve, they are listed below:

• The Head Start program
• The Foster Grandparents Program
• The Weatherization Assistance Program
• Community Service Block Grants (CSBG)        
• Employment
• Education
• Better use of available income
• Housing
• Nutrition
• Emergency services and health

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC)

CAASTLC is part of a national network of federally funded Community Action Agencies (CAAs), created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. CAASTLC has provided services in St. Louis County for 50 years. Originally incorporated as Metroplex, Inc. in 1968, CAASTLC was founded as a satellite agency of and administered by the Human Development Corporation of Metropolitan St. Louis. In 1978, Metroplex, Inc. became a separate designated entity to provide anti-poverty programs for St. Louis County, excluding Wellston. In 1996, the agency’s name was changed to STEP, Inc. and, in 2003, STEP, Inc. became CAASTLC. Their focus remains: to end poverty and help families who are caught in poverty. Services are provided to 44,000 low-income people in St. Louis County annually including:

• Energy Services
• Weatherization
• Housing Assistance
• Reentry, Employment, and Entrepreneurship programs
• Crisis Intervention and Mental Health Programs
• Immigrant Inclusion Program
• Food Pantry Programs

Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph (CAPSTJOE)

CAPSTJOE continues to be an organization that relies on the generosity of others to make a difference in the lives of those in need and encourage a hand up towards self-sufficiency.

Programs include: 

• Housing Development
• Energy Assistance
• Head Start
• Family Services
• Community Engagement
• Assessment and Referral

Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC)

DAEOC empowers people to make positive change. Some programs were created to address specific needs in only one or more counties while our Child Care Food Programs reaches outside of our service area to cover 15 counties. Programs include:

• Family Assistance
• Energy Assistance
• Home Repair
• Weatherization
• Homelessness
• Domestic Violence
• Child Care Food Program

East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA)

   EMAA cultivates communities of opportunity and supports people in reaching their highest potential. Programs include:

• Community Services
• Head Start
• Women’s Wellness
• Weatherization
• Housing

Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation (JFCAC)

The JFCAC is to serve individuals and families through partnerships, empowerment and education in order to strengthen and improve the entire community. JFCAC envisions communities with increased opportunities and an improved quality of life for families living in the crisis of poverty. Programs include:

• Housing
• Weatherization
• Women’s Infant and Children
• Energy Assistance
• Head Start

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency (MVCAA)

MVCAA is a nonprofit organization that works to meet the ever changing needs in the communities by creating strategies to help children, families, senior citizens and other vulnerable populations overcome adversity. Programs include:

• Head Start
• Rental Assistance
• Early Head Start
• Energy Assistance
• Weatherization
• Workshops
• Volunteer
• Information and Assistance
• Community Development
• Crisis Intervention
• Back to School Events
• Family Resource Center
• Poverty Education

North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC)

NECAC strives to make a difference by empowering people, improving lives and building communities. Their mission is to assist the disadvantaged within the service area in their efforts to rise above poverty by providing needed services to enable each individual to function at his or her own improved financial, physical, mental and social level. Programs include:

• Community Services
• Housing Development
• Community Health
• Employment

Ozark Action, Inc. (OAI)

OAI’s mission is to coordinate and provide services for people with needs so that they can improve their quality of life. Programs include:

• C.L.A.I.M.
• Family Support Program
• Head Start
• Homeless Connect            
• Housing           
•  Low Income Tax Assistance             
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance             
• Utility Assistance             
• Vehicle Repair Program           
• Medicaid Expansion             
• Volunteer Program             
• Weatherization              
• Workforce Development

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency (SCMCAA)

SCMCAA assists low-income residents in their efforts to become self-sufficient.  This is accomplished by providing a comprehensive range of services and activities designed to improve the quality of life for individuals and families who suffer due to the causes and conditions of poverty. Programs include:

• Head Start
• Early Head Start
• Weatherization
• Energy Assistance
• Youth Employment
• Housing
• Community Services

West Central Missouri Community Action Agency (WCMCAA)

WCMCAA is dedicated to empowering people to make positive change by coordinating and administering resources. WCMCAA strives to be the voice in our communities and in our governments for those most in need. Programs include: 

• Head Start
• Early Head Start
• Energy Conservation
• Employment and Training
• Family & Reproductive Health
• Housing

Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) Providers

MWA providers are based on 10 Workforce Development regions in Missouri and the City of St. Louis. As these providers were already serving Temporary Assistance (TA) recipients, it was a natural fit that they serve SNAP clients. In addition, when the MWA providers bid on the MWA contract, the TA recipient caseload was higher, but has subsequently dropped due to legislation requiring full family sanctions and lowering the lifetime limit, as well as improved economic conditions.

DSS has multiple lines of communicating with E&T providers to ensure efficiency and teamwork. To report TA non-compliance the notification to DSS is sent electronically. In addition, case reviews are conducted to ensure E&T providers are adhering to noncompliance policies.

Better Family Life (BFL)

BFL programs are centered on uniting families and empowering communities. They offer programs in community outreach, gun violence de-escalation, youth, family and clinical services, cultural arts and housing. They offer classes and workshops such as job readiness classes, financial literacy, asset development, buyer and home ownership education, and home repair and maintenance services.

Local Investment Commission (LINC)

LINC works with state and local governments, businesses, communities and civic leaders to improve the lives of children and families. LINC embraces the community school model, calling its efforts Caring Communities. These schools focus on academics, family support, health and social services and community development. LINC provides job training and education to those on TA, childcare subsidy services, childcare training and foster youth mentoring and development.

MERS Goodwill Industries 

MERS Goodwill offers many services with a primary focus on employment and rehabilitation programs. They provide education and literacy services, employment services, skills training and career counseling. MERS Goodwill works with injured individuals, youth, veterans, ex-offenders, developmentally disabled and others.

Equus Workforce Solutions

Equus Workforce Solutions’ services and strategies are grounded in whole family/family-centered approach, supporting families, adults, and young adults in moving toward their goals and greater economic prosperity. Their coaching approach exists in three tiers: 1) Family Stability, 2) Family Employability, and 3) Family Security.  Equus empowers participants to stabilize their needs, gain employability skills and enable long-term security through meaningful employment and lifelong learning. Equus Workforce Solutions has provided services since 2017 and expanded services in 2019. Their whole family coaching approach aims to (1) aid needy families so that children may remain in their homes; (2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage; (3) reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. In addition, their approach includes coaching SkillUP participants and young adults aging out of the foster care system. To achieve this goal, local staff conduct comprehensive screening and assessments for family stability needs, intensive work readiness programs, training and education, and employment sector initiatives that target in-demand industries. Through this model they also support non-custodial parents who may not reside in the same home but share childcare responsibilities. They help with job opportunities leading to overall family security and offer Fatherhood Co-Parenting training.

Mississippi Caring Communities/Southern Missouri Works Project (SMWP)

SMWP is a collaborative effort between five (5) Missouri Community Partnerships with

Mississippi County Caring Communities – Interagency Council as the lead agency with New Madrid County Family Resource Center, Pemiscot County Initiative Network, Dunklin County Caring Council and Ripley County Caring Communities. 

The combined partnerships serving the southernmost part of the state purpose is to provide participants with support, educational outreach, work experience, job placement and other such resources to reduce the dependency on government benefits through placement in higher paying jobs. The Community Partnerships in SMWP collaborate with area resources, Community Based Organizations and agencies implementing approaches that deal with empowering the participant by providing career development tools, onsite job skills and educational classes/materials necessary to promote recipient/family economic growth.

Workforce Development Boards

In FY24, OWCI is contracting directly with the Workforce Development Boards (WDB) which allows for streamlined training, increased partner collaboration, consultation and continuous improvement. The WDB staff have access to reports on SNAP clients being served by DHEWD so referrals can be made to SkillUP. OWCI continues to utilize the MOJobs system and this allows for co-enrollment and blended services. In addition, OWCI staff are appointed to boards and monthly calls with all partners including the WDB’s.  OWCI staff attend monthly board meetings where all WDB directors consult community stakeholders and other state agencies on the needs of Missouri citizens and how best to align E&T programs with employers and jobs.

Workforce Development Board of North Missouri  

The WDB of North Missouri serves 34 counties in Missouri.  The Board, in coordination with the area Chief Local Elected Officials, has the responsibility to spearhead a partnership targeted with improving and enhancing the readiness of the area’s workforce, which supports area economic development and competition in the global economy of the 21st century. The WDB of North Missouri works hard to connect job seekers with employers and solve staffing issues and unemployment. Their workforce development programs bring employment opportunities closer to workers from different backgrounds and streamline the selection process for companies and organizations.

Ozark Region Workforce Development Board

The Ozark Region Workforce Investment Board serves 7 counties in the Springfield and Branson areas and is a partnership of local businesses, government, education, labor and human services agencies working together to provide a one-stop approach to the delivery of workforce development services. Through this partnership, over twenty separate local, federal and state employment, education and training programs are now available through a single point of contact under one roof.

Eastern Jackson County Workforce Development Board (EJAC WDB)

The Eastern Jackson County Workforce Development Board (EJAC WDB) supports workforce development in the region through its work with the Full Employment Council. The EJAC WDB provides oversight of employment and training programs in the area including development of operators and providers, budget administration and negotiation of local performance measures. The EJAC Board serves Independence, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Grandview, Raytown, Sugar Creek, Buckner, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Lone Jack and other municipalities in eastern Jackson County through strategic partnerships with federal agencies, local chamber of commerce entities, organized labor groups, community based organizations, and educational institutions. 

Kansas City and Vicinity- Full Employment Council (FEC)

The FEC supplies employers with a skilled workforce by obtaining public and private sector employment for the unemployed and the underemployed residents of Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray County. Job seeker services include skills training, job placement, supportive services, financial assistance, youth services, veterans services, accessibility services, and many workshops throughout the year.  The FEC focuses on 5 key areas that lead to family sustaining employment in the region: Information Technology, Healthcare, Business and Financial Services, Logistics and Warehouse, and Advanced Manufacturing.  Once training is completed staff assist job seekers in finding employment in one of these high demand career fields

Saint Louis County Workforce Development Board

The Saint Louis County WDB provides direction on local workforce issues by identifying needs and developing strategies for administering the Title One Program of the Workforce Investment Act. Board members lend their expertise to ensure that Saint Louis County remains competitive in the metropolitan area by providing meaningful employment and attracting new businesses. The vision of the Saint Louis County WDB is to have a vibrant regional economy in which a job seeker has the skills needed to match available jobs and that every job has a qualified employee.  The workforce system enables this vision through a series of high quality services that increase employment, increase retention, increase earnings, increase the skills of individuals, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the region.

South Central Workforce Investment Board

South Central Workforce Investment Board’s mission is to support a system that will provide employers with a skilled workforce and will provide job seekers with access to jobs with increased earnings potential. Each local area (referred to as the South Central Region) includes the twelve counties of Wright, Texas, Reynolds, Wayne, Shannon, Douglas, Ozark, Howell, Oregon, Carter, Ripley and Butler.

Central Workforce Development Board

The Central Workforce Development Region works to strengthen communities through workforce development efforts, which includes providing employers a skilled workforce and helping job seekers access jobs and increase their skills. The region encompasses 19 counties throughout mid-Missouri, including Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington

Workforce Development Board of Southeast Missouri

The Workforce Development Board of Southeast Missouri is a non-profit dedicated to creating a stronger workforce for Southeast Missouri. The goal is to connect participants with advanced training opportunities and exciting new career pathways in Southeast Missouri. This board is guided by their mission to promote a state of economic well-being by helping to create a skilled, diverse, motivated, and adaptable workforce.

Workforce Development Board of Southwest Missouri

The mission of Southwest Missouri’s Workforce Development Board is to enrich the region’s economy by preparing businesses and the workforce for global competitiveness. Be a progressive workforce intermediary that leverages resources to increase the value of the region’s human capital portfolio (the workforce) to fuel economic momentum.

St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE)

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is the City of St. Louis government agency that offers job seekers and businesses a variety of no-cost services related to employment, job training, and career advancement. SLATE aims to connect job seekers to training programs and employment, help employers diversify their workforce, and assists youth with career skills.

Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri

The Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri’s mission is to provide services that match job seekers with employment opportunities as well as assist employers with finding qualified employees within their 13-county region. For over three decades, the Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri, Inc. has lead in the design, promotion, and oversight of innovative training, educational, and employment solutions for today and tomorrow's workforce. As a result, we have gained the experience, expertise, and pro-active approaches that are necessary to resolve the workforce challenges of the region.

Jefferson/Franklin County Employment Consortium Workforce Development Board Through its local Missouri Job Centers, Jefferson/Franklin Consortium offers employment and career training services for youth, adults and workers dislocated from their employment due to plant closings or workforce reductions.