LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION

Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Inc. is the fiscal/administrative agent for The Mississippi Partnership Local Workforce Investment Area, known as "The Mississippi Partnership". Our area is a 27-county area established under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and designated by Governor Haley Barbour. A 27-member board of chief elected officials governs the Mississippi Partnership along with a 62-member Local Workforce Investment Board composed of business and public sector members representing the 27 counties. Mr. Randle Gray, representing Monroe County, is the chief elected official of The Mississippi Partnership, and Mr. David McMillen from Union County is the chairperson of the Workforce Board.

The Mississippi Partnership Local Workforce Investment Board (MPWIB) is responsible for establishing and maintaining a workforce system that provides the highest quality services to individuals and local employers. MPWIB is also responsible for establishing local performance standards, one-stop delivery centers, selecting qualified service providers, and monitoring performance.

As the Fiscal/Administrative Agent for the Mississippi Partnership, Three Rivers PDD is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the workforce area under the guidance of the Chief Elected Officials and Workforce Board.

Services are delivered through partnerships with community colleges, planning and development districts, faith and community based organizations, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, and other partners within the 27 counties.

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WIN JOB CENTERS

WIN Job Centers (also know as one-stops) combines federal, state, and community workforce development programs and services into one location to help individuals and businesses find employment and training services. The WIN Job Centers are operated by a consortium of four one-stop operators, Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

The operator are responsible for ensuring that quality services are available, delivered in a friendly manner, and sets the infrastructure for which the services are delivered. Currently the Mississippi Partnership has a total of 19 WIN Job Centers. (Click here for a listing of WIN Job Centers.) Partners in the WIN Job Centers include:

w        The Mississippi Local Workforce Investment Board

w        Local Elected Officials

w        Mississippi Department of Employment Security

▪          Employment Services

▪          Unemployment Services

▪          Job Corp Services

▪          Veteran Services

w        Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services

w        Itawamba Community College

w        Northeast MS Community College

w        Northwest MS Community College

w        East MS Community College

w        Holmes Community College

w        Mississippi Delta Council for Farm Workers Opportunities

w        Local Economic Development Foundations and Chambers of Commerce  

The WIN Job Center offers a variety of services for both job seekers or laid-off workers and employers. Job Seekers and Laid-Off Workers can expect to find:  

w        Job search and placement assistance

w        Resume preparation software and assistance

w        Interview tips

w        Internet access for job searches and resume posting

w        Access to office equipment: computers, fax machines, copiers, and telephones at no cost when conducting a job search

w        Multi-level employment services

w        Labor market information

w        Services for veterans

w        Information on GED and Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes

w        Information on unemployment insurance benefits

w        Information on training tuition assistance

w        Career and aptitude assessment

w        Information on assistance to laid-off workers

w        Information on TAA benefits for affected workers

w        Information on and referral to child care, transportation, and other supportive services

w        Referral to rehabilitation services  

Employers can expect to find the following services:

w        Recruitment, screening, and referrals for entry level workers to skilled professionals

w        Posting job openings

w        Hosting job fairs

w        Help in clarifying job descriptions and eligibility criteria

w        On-the-Job Training services where up to one-half of the cost of training for eligible workers will be reimbursed through WIA

w        Information on other types of training services such as pre-employment, incumbent worker, and customized training which assists the company with the cost of skill upgrading

w        Information about wages and employment trends

w        Information on Alien Employment Certification guidelines

w        Information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) which offers employers a federal tax savings up to $2,400 per person for hiring an individual who qualifies under a specific target group

w        Provide office space for interviewing and on-site screening

w        Assist companies with Rapid Response and services to help manage layoffs

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YOUTH PROGRAMS

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA, or "the Act") provides funds for the purpose of serving:

 "Youths facing serious barriers to employment for participation in the labor force by providing job training and other services that will result in increased employment and earnings, increased educational and occupational skills, and decreased welfare dependency, thereby improving the quality of the work force and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation."  

In keeping with this purpose, the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Investment Area’s primary objective is to assist eligible youth in achieving academic and employment success through a variety of services provided by WIA funds. The Mississippi Partnership’s WIA youth services are provided in each of its 27 counties through contracts with entities with expertise in serving youth.  

Under WIA there are two types of youth programs:  

1.       In-School Youth

The goal of in-school youth programs is to provide a comprehensive mix of services emphasizing dropout prevention and promotes academic achievement, successful graduation, and readiness for post-secondary education. These programs also provide career awareness and work readiness activities. In-school youth programs generally serve the younger youth population (ages 14-18).

 2.       Out-of-School Youth

Out-of-school youth programs are designed to assist youth who are high school dropouts as well as youth who have graduated but are basic-skills deficient, unemployed, or underemployed. The goal of these programs is to lead youth to self-sufficiency through GED attainment; full-time, long-term employment; and/or post-secondary educational opportunities.  

The Mississippi Partnership contracts with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide assistance to all youth programs within our region to help ensure all youth, especially disabled youth, receive appropriate services. Currently, the Mississippi Partnership has a total of 12 Youth Programs that offer year-round activities to help ensure youth receive the educational services needed to become successful in the workforce. (For a listing of current WIA Youth Programs, click here.) Services provided by the WIA Youth Programs include:

Improving Educational Achievement

1.    Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies. Tutoring must be performed weekly at a minimum and must be documented in the youth’s ISS.

2.       Alternative secondary school offerings, as appropriate. These services must fall outside regular and special education programs and vocational education programs.

Preparing for and Succeeding in Employment  

3.    Summer employment opportunities for in-school youth must be directly linked to academic and occupational learning.

4.     Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships and job shadowing.

5.    Occupational skills training, development of primary occupational skills to perform tasks and technical functions required by specific occupational fields. Instruction in job-specific and basic skills in a specific job or industry should be related to local labor market demand. Providers must make every effort to utilize other funding sources to pay for occupational skills training (e.g., Pell grants and other aid available through community and technical colleges, and WIA adult resources for older youth).  

Supporting Youth Development  

6.     Leadership development opportunities encourage responsibility and other positive social behaviors. Activities may include exposure to post-secondary opportunities; community service and service learning projects; peer-centered activities, including peer mentoring and tutoring; organizational and team leadership training; training in decision making, including determining priorities; and citizenship training, including life skills training.

7.       Supportive services that may include linkages to community services and/or assistance with transportation, child care, meals, and appropriate work attire and work-related tools.

8.       Comprehensive guidance and counseling, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to counseling appropriate to the needs of the individual youth.

9.       Adult mentoring may occur both during program participation and follow-up for a total duration of at least twelve months.

10.   Follow-up services for at least twelve months after exiting the program to ensure continuity of services and progress toward performance outcomes. Follow-up must be provided by the same entity that provided case management during the program. Follow-up services may include leadership development, supportive services, regular contact with the youth’s employer, and assistance with job development and further education; work-related peer support groups, and adult mentoring.

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LINKS

Mississippi Eligible Training Provider Information

Dept. of Labor WIA Site
       
WIA Reauthorization

National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)

Mississippi's Job Bank

State of Mississippi PY 2005 WIA Report

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Inc.

WIA Division

75 South Main Street

Pontotoc, MS 38863

662-489-2415 (phone)

662-489-0958 (fax)

ccasteel@trpdd.com (email)