GRANTEE:

Six County Employment Alliance/Michigan Works! The Job Force Board (JFB)

ADDRESS:

2950 College Avenue

Escanaba, MI  49829

AMOUNT:

$192,973

DURATION:

24 months

POPULATION SERVED:  Disabled jobseekers in a six-county area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  The grant will be used to fund salaries, fringe benefits, travel, supplies, and training costs for two Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) at JFB’s two full-service One-Stop Career Centers in Delta and Marquette counties.

JFB notes that the current unemployment rate for the six-county area averages 9.12%, and that in this area, there are 27,460 (ages 16+) categorized as disabled.  Of this group, 8,431 are employed, while 8,196 remain unemployed.  Only 3% of this population has accessed JFB’s One-Stop centers.

FJB has set goals for its two DPNs.  They will be expected to create new community partnerships and to strengthen existing community partnerships (see below), as well as increase the network of employers and their use of the available One-Stop centers to widen employment opportunities for the disabled.  DPNs also would receive federal, state, and local training on disability issues.

Current partners include members from Pathways, a regional mental health organization and facilitator of the Independent Living Council; the Salvation Army; Goodwill Industries; local health departments; the Family Independence Agency; the United Way; Michigan Rehabilitation Services; the Disabled Veterans Outreach Workers group; and other community organizations.

According to JFB, the services of the DPNs will create a “win-win-win” solution.  There will be increased services available to disabled jobseekers; increased referrals and enrollments in the JFB’s One-Stop centers; and an increase in the skilled applicant pool for business.

Over the 24-month grant period, the DPNs will successfully implement services that will increase the number of disabled jobseekers using JFB’s One-Stop centers, and, with training, the DPNs will become recognized experts in disability employment issues.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA TO BE SERVED:  Counties of Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, and Schoolcraft, Michigan.

CONTACT:

Gwen Wood

906-789-0558