EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FOR MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARM WORKERS

Contact: Gilberto Alaniz
Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington
815 Fruitvale Boulevard
Yakima, WA 98902-1922
Telephone: 509.457.2930
E-mail: galaniz@yvoic.org

State Website: www.yvoic.org
Local Link: http://www.yvoic.org/Farmworkers/Locations/

Participation: 900 people were served by the program during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Eligibility for participation in the program is limited to migrant and seasonal farm workers who, during a specified time period, received at least 50 percent of their income from or who were employed at least 50 percent of their time in farm work. Applicants must also be U. S. citizens and meet low-income guidelines.

Program Description: The program provides core, intensive employment and job training, and support services for those suffering chronic seasonal unemployment and underemployment in the agricultural industry. Services include job search assistance, career counseling, job development, on-the-job training, work experience, classroom training, and support services.

Other Program Characteristics: The Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker Program was developed after Congress concluded that chronic seasonal unemployment and underemployment in the agricultural industry constituted a portion of the nation’s rural employment problem, substantially affecting the national economy.

Program History: Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington has provided employment and training services for migrant workers since 1999 under the Job Training Partnership Act. The program has been operated by a single grantee for the state selected by the U.S. Department of Labor through a competitive procurement process. OIC of Washington is operating the program as the Washington Farm Worker Investment Program under Title I, Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act. Program services will be integrated into WorkSource, the state’s “one-stop” career center system, with participants receiving core, intensive, and/or training services from OIC of Washington in partnership with WorkSource. 

Planning Cycle: Two-year competitive bid.

Outcome Measures: The program is measured by the number of eligible individuals receiving classroom training, on-the-job training, work experience, training assistance, emergency assistance, earned income, and intensive services. The program is also measured by the number of individuals placed in jobs or whose employability is enhanced.

Funding and Regional Division: There are six service regions:

1. Yakima Regional Office serving Kittitas County and Upper Yakima Valley.

2. Sunnyside Regional Office serving Lower Yakima Valley and Klickitat County.

3. Pasco Regional Office serving Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.

4. Moses Lake Regional Office serving Grant and Adams Counties.

5. Wenatchee Regional Office serving Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan Counties.

6. Mount Vernon Regional Office serving Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

Funds are distributed among states by formula. The U.S. Department of Labor establishes substate allocations consistent with the application and the approved grant plan.

State Funding: None.

Federal Funding: $2,934,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) U.S. Department of Labor.

Statutory Authority: Federal - Title 1, Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This program is currently administered by the Washington Farm Worker Investment Program, Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington.