AHDC Helps Farm Workers
Background
The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) is a United States Department of Labor (DOL) funded and directed program that provides job training and employment assistance to migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW’s). It is authorized by Congress in Section 167 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to address the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by MSFW’s who primarily depend on jobs in agriculture. Since its inception with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the NFJP has been an integral part of the national workforce strategy. MSFW’s now access the NFJP and other employment assistance through the
American Job Center Network (AJCN) of the workforce investment system. Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) is funded by the DOL to coordinate and facilitate NFJP services in Arkansas. Goal
The goal of the NFJP is to assist MSFW’s and their families to attain greater economic stability by helping them acquire new job skills in occupations that offer higher wages and a more stable employment outlook. AHDC coordinates needed training through community and technical colleges and a host of private training organizations around the state. The NFJP also provides supportive services that help farmworkers remain in and stabilize their employment in agriculture. A state-wide network of vendors provides housing, medical, emergency, nutritional and childcare assistance on a reimbursement basis. AHDC also facilitates the coordination of services through the American Job Center Network (AJCN) system for MSFW’s so they can access other services available through the workforce system. Target Population
The NFJP serves eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents. Eligible farmworkers are those who primarily depend on employment in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment and underemployment. To be eligible for participation in the NFJP a person must meet the following criteria:
• Be a citizen of the United States or legally authorized to work in the United States;
• Performed agricultural labor in an occupation recognized by the United States Department of Labor;
• Earned at least 50% of his/her income from recognized agricultural labor during any consecutive 12-month period out of the most
recent 24 months. Minimum earnings must total at least $800.00 or the applicant must have worked at least 25 days in a recognized
occupation during the eligibility period;
• Earned less than poverty guidelines based on size of family; and,
• Registered with Selective Service if a male born on or after January 1, 1960. Services
Core Services – include skills assessments, job search, eligibility determination and access for MSFW’s to the other core services of the local One-Stop Career Center. Intensive Services – include objective assessment, basic education and employment development planning achieved through a case management based individual service strategy. Training Services – include occupational skills and job training, which also encompass on-the-job training. Related Assistance Services (Support Services) – include short-term direct assistance to address an urgent or life threatening matter enable farmworkers and their dependent family members to retain their agricultural employment or to participate in Intensive or Training Service activities. The costs may be borne by grant funding when local community resources are not available. Funding
Approximately $1,110,208.00 is available annually to provide outlined services. Health Outreach Program
Background
Arkansas Human Development Corporation’s (AHDC) Health Outreach Program initiative began in the early 1990’s with AHDC’s inclusion in the Mid-Western HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Consortium, which was administered by United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Funding was provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and allowed Consortium members to develop culturally appropriate materials for Hispanic and Latin-American families and the medical provider community and disseminate those materials in a way that would stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in the service area. Goals and Services
The goals and services of the health outreach program are to assist Arkansas’s economically disadvantaged individuals and families in learning skills that promote healthy responses to romantic or sexual overtures and combat sexually transmitted diseases; provide easily-understood bilingual culturally appropriate learning materials; aid, educate and encourage participants living with Diabetes, Cancer and Hypertension to change their lifestyles, eat right and take their medication as prescribed by their physicians; highlight the importance of prenatal care, reproductive health, and childhood immunizations; provide education about the dangers of smoking cigarettes, using other tobacco products and about second-hand smoke. The Health Outreach Program also provides referrals to tobacco products cessation services; provides translation/interpretation services and minimal transportation services; provides one-on-one and small group health information and education services (classes); participates in and facilitates health fairs; and provides some first aid. Additional services include conducting health and disease prevention assessments; making referrals to clinics, health departments, and other agencies and organizations; teaching farmworkers, their families, farmworker service providers, and community leaders about pesticide safety; and linking farmworkers and their families to resources and services. ECONOMICAL
Background
Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) began its economic development program in 1987 with support from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services, Eastern Arkansas Private Industry Council and the Levi Strauss and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundations. These organizations jointly funded a series of demonstration programs designed to encourage and support entrepreneurial endeavors by youth and adults. In addition to training and small loans funding supported an annual youth entrepreneurship conference and a quarterly newsletter entitled “Tomorrows Entrepreneurs.” During the 1990’s additional funding was provided by the United States Department of Human Services and current funding is provided by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development.
