Meigs County Workforce Development Agency /One-Stop

The Meigs County One-Stop, is located on the second floor of the Department of Job and Family Services, and is open to all residents who need assistance in finding employment, training or interested in labor market information.

Current job listings are available in the One-Stop, as well as, information on post secondary education providers, vocational schools or other training programs.  Staff will assist individuals with creating a current resume, completing applications or resolving barriers to employment.  Computers with internet access are available for use by One-Stop customers for on-line job search, preparing and updating resumes, preparing letters of interest and  other employment related activities.  The One-Stop also has telephones and a fax machine  available for use by customers during job search or training activities.

One Stop staff will assist customers through referrals to other  programs within the Department of Job and Family Services or to  other agencies when it is determined there is a need of additional assistance  to enable the individual to find employment, better employment or training. Staff will assist the customer in seeking out all means of funding to enable them to be successful in reaching their employment goals.

Customers in need of additional training are screened for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) eligibility.  On July 1, 2000 the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), funded by the United States Department of Labor,  replaced the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).   The Meigs County Board of Commissioners named the  Department of Job & Family Services as the county Workforce Development Agency and administrators of the WIA Program.   The program serves individuals who meet the following criteria:

 (1)  DISLOCATED WORKERS, which are individuals who have become unemployed due to the closing or cutback of a business and are not expected to return to their job.  These people may apply for WIA services once they have been notified by the company of the closing or cutback.  There are no income guidelines for this program.

(2)  ADULTS, are individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and need to improve their employability through WIA services or other community resources.  Eligible applicants must be 18  years of age or older and whose income  meets  200 % of the federal poverty guideline. Underemployed workers income must fall below 200% of poverty guideline.

(3)  YOUTH, are individuals between the ages of 14 and 21,  who are unemployed or underemployed and need WIA services to improve their employability.  The program provides funding to serve younger youth ages 14 to 18 and older youth ages 19 to 21.    One of the goals for the younger youth population is school retention to prevent dropout.   All youth applicants must meet federally established financial and other need guidelines in order to qualify.
 
The WIA Program provides three (3) levels of service which customers advance through.  These include Core Services, Intensive Services and Training Services.

*Core Services are self services and are primarily to assist with job seeking and collecting basic information regarding training options if  self sustaining employment is not available.  These services do not require meeting  eligibility income guidelines.

*Intensive Services are WIA staff assisted job search and occupational development services and can include, but is not limited to: developing an individual employment plan, career counseling, case management and help in developing learning skills, communications skills, interviewing and punctuality.  Intensive services provided by WIA does require meeting eligibility standards and registration.

*Training Services allows expenditures up to $6500 to cover cost of job training in a WIA approved program.  The participant can select from eligible training providers and programs as long as the training is directly linked to job opportunities in the area.  WIA funds can be coordinated with other resources.

Federal regulations require twelve (12) months of follow up services to participants who are registered with WIA.  During this time period the case manager will monitor the participants work status and assist in employment retention with the goal of attaining self-sufficiency.