2016-2020 REGIONAL WORKFORCE BOARD MIGRANT AND …

2016-2020 REGIONAL WORKFORCE BOARD MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKER

(MSFW) OUTREACH PLAN

REGION 5 GADSDEN, LEON & WAKULLA COUNTIES

August 24, 2016

Prepared By: Dee Robinson

CareerSource Capital Region - Region 5 2012-2016 Regional Workforce Board Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Outreach Plan

MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS (MSFW) OUTREACH AND SERVICES

A. Assessment of Need: Must include a review of the agricultural and MSFW activity in the service area (crop activity, peak season, approximate number of MSFWs during peak season and low season, etc.). Must also include an assessment of the challenges/barriers faced by MSFWs and their unique needs. Such challenges and needs must include at a minimum: employment, training, language and housing. Summarize the agricultural employers' needs as well. This information must take into account data supplied by the Farmworker Career Development Program local provider(s) in the service area, other farmworker organizations, and employer organizations.

Response: Gadsden County is located in the northwestern part of Florida. Currently the county is approximately 32 miles long and 22 miles wide. A humid climate prevails, and rainfall is abundant. The county is one of the foremost agricultural counties in northwest Florida and the only significant region in this part of the state. Gadsden County produces beans, cucumbers, eggplant, greens, cantaloupe, watermelon, okra, onions, peas, peppers, potatoes, squash, corn, tomatoes, and mushrooms. The area is a top producer of tomatoes and squash for Florida. Farm workers harvest, plant, and pack many of the vegetables that are produced locally.

Although it is difficult to determine an accurate number of workers in the area due to their transient nature, it is estimated that during the peak season (April ? November) there may be up to 500 workers in the area. Conversely, during the low season (December ? March), there could be as few as 150-200 workers present. The number of seasonal farm workers greatly decreased in the area over the years due to strict immigration laws being passed in several key agricultural states and business closures. The concern over immigration laws being passed dictated whether farm workers would migrate or remain in areas where they felt less likely to be negatively impacted by the new immigration laws. Key agricultural business closures provided less opportunity for work in this area. The decrease in work has led many workers to bypass this area on their way to surrounding states with more work available.

MSFWs experience many challenges due to the type of work being done and the requirement to migrate constantly. In the CSCR service area many MSFWs require assistance with:

? Training/education - GED, ESOL or other short-term training geared towards nonagricultural work

? Medical care ? lack of insurance for current health concerns ? Legal issues ? lack of understanding regarding their rights and authorization to work

in the US

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CareerSource Capital Region - Region 5 2012-2016 Regional Workforce Board Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Outreach Plan

? Transportation ? highly reliant on others for transportation for personal needs and in some instances travel to work

? Childcare ? insufficient number of organizations that assist with the care of young children who have not yet reached school age

? Other personal services ? lack of adequate food and clothing

Although referrals are made to a host of community partners, the workers do not consistently follow-through; their primary concern is going to or finding employment.

Due to strained relationships with the agricultural employers, it is more difficult to ascertain their needs. Based on the closures that have occurred over the years, CSCR believes that there is not enough demand for some of the produce being grown in the area. Couple that with a decrease in the number of workers available and it is evident why some of the business closures have occurred. Although CSCR has and will continue to make these employers aware of the services available through the career center, not many have taken advantage.

B. Assessment of Available Resources: Include an assessment of the career center resources and partner resources that are available to meet the specific needs of the MSFWs and agricultural employers specified above in Part A.

Response: The region has developed a list of available resources for the MSFWs. The list includes an extensive network of local organizations such as faith based groups and social service agencies which provide direct services to farm workers. Below is a list of service providers for CareerSource Capital Region. Services offered include the following: medical assistance, food assistance, legal services, literacy/education training, housing, transportation, and additional support services. If there is a situation for which there is no known local provider, the Outreach Specialist assumes responsibility for researching the area to determine if other providers are available to meet the worker's needs. The resource list is reviewed and updated annually.

a. Catholic Social Services: 850-627-4371 27 North Shadow Street, Quincy, FL 32351

b. North Florida Legal Services: 850-875-9881 8 W Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351

c. Jessie Furlow Medical Center: 850-875-9500 1249 Strong Road, Quincy, FL 32351

d. Gadsden County Public Health: 850-875-7200 278 Lasalle Lefall Drive, Quincy, FL 32351

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CareerSource Capital Region - Region 5 2012-2016 Regional Workforce Board Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Outreach Plan

e. PAEC Migrant Education: 850-875-3806 500 W King Street, Quincy, FL 32351

f. Department of Children and Families: 850-627-7666 6 South Key Street, Quincy, FL 32351

g. Women, Infant and Children (WIC): 850-875-7200 278 Lasalle Lefall Drive, Quincy, FL 32351

h. Pre-K Program: 850-627-3861 523 W King Street, Quincy, FL 32351

i. Gadsden Technical Institute: 850-627-6775 201 M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, Quincy, FL 32351

j. Triple Oaks/ Omega Villas: 850-875-2109 1500 Strong Road, Quincy, FL 32351

k. Big Bend Transit: 850-627-9958 305 B W Crawford Street, Quincy, FL 32351

l. Gadsden Community Action: 850-875-4250 104 N Adams Street, Quincy, FL 32351

m. Mexican Consulate: 407-422-0514 100 W Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801

n. Internal Revenue Service: 850-942-8995 227 N. Bronough Street, Quincy, FL 32351

o. Department Of Hwy Safety: 850-627-3497 18290 Blue Star Hwy, Quincy, FL 32351

p. Red Cross Of Tallahassee: 850-878-6080 1115 Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32311

q. Reemployment Assistance Program: 1-866-778-7356

r. US Citizenship and Immigration Services: 1-800-375-5283/1-800-767-1833

Migrant workers that are participants in one of the programs operated by CSCR may also avail themselves of the support services provided by that particular program (i.e. transportation assistance, childcare assistance, training assistance, employment related services, etc.). Program staff will assess the worker's needs and barriers to employment and provide services or make appropriate referrals to partner programs/organizations.

C. Proposed Outreach Activities:

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CareerSource Capital Region - Region 5 2012-2016 Regional Workforce Board Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Outreach Plan

a. Describe the strategies used to locate and contact MSFWs who are not being reached by normal intake activities. Outreach activities must be designed to meet the needs determined in part A. Include the tools and resources to be used to conduct outreach activities (for example, work-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, printed materials, media, etc.). Note: Each MSFW outreach worker is required to have a minimum of five "quality" contacts of MSFWs per staff day. A quality contact is defined as an outreach contact with an MSFW where a reportable staff-assisted service is provided and documented.

Response: The Outreach Specialist's primary responsibility is to visit potential MSFWs, identify workers as MSFWs, assist the MSFW and their families at the worksite or housing facility; provide them with the 511-N form advising them of the services and resources offered by CareerSource Capital Region. In addition to worksites and housing areas, the Outreach Specialist also frequents stores, laundromats, churches, sporting events, and attends events coordinated by other community partners. To assist in gaining the trust of the migrant workers, the Outreach Specialist provides value-added services such as delivering food bags, assisting with medical screening, etc. While conducting outreach, the Outreach Specialist makes referrals for supportive services, distributes brochures to community agencies, promotes CareerSource Capital Region services, determines if there are complaints/violations, refer MSFWs to non-agricultural jobs, documents services via the MIS and submits monthly logs to the Monitor Advocate. During outreach, eligibility questions are asked to determine if the customer is an MSFW.

Once a determination is made regarding the eligibility of the Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker, a one on one assessment is performed to determine the needs of the career seeker. Assistance is offered in completing applications, providing referrals to jobs for which the career seeker is deemed eligible, and in conducting job developments to help the career seeker locate employment. The services noted are reportable and staff assisted. Provision of the services to the career seeker is considered a quality contact and is documented in the Management Information System (MIS). The log of daily outreach activities is completed, summarized and compiled into the Log Review Form to be submitted along with 1303 & 1659 Forms to the State Monitor Advocate at the end of each month. CareerSource Capital Region does not currently have established agreements with any agricultural employers. Nevertheless, the Outreach Specialist conducts visits to maintain communication with agriculture employers or labor contractors to learn about the type of crops that will be planted, identify the beginning of the season, determine when harvest activities will begin, find out the number of workers needed and offer services such as placing a job order. These visits also serve as a means to determine the needs of MSFWs in Gadsden County. All

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