Mississippi - Employment and Training Administration · Governor’s Letter ... Jackson, Mississippi Organized Labor: Mr. Bobby Alexander 120 Waterwood Brandon, Mississippi Mr. Mark

Mississippi

A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

2001 ANNUAL REPORT

OPEN THE DOOR TO OPPORTUNITY. OPEN THE DOOR TO WIN.

Presented by:State Administrative Entity for WIN in Mississippi

Mr. James R. Lott, DirectorEmployment Training Division (ETD)Of the Mississippi Development AuthorityPost Office Box 24568Jackson, Mississippi 39225-4568Telephone: 601-359-9250

For a copy of the addendum to this report, contact ETD.

Table Of Contents

1

Governor’s Letter ................................................................................. 2

WIN and WIA: An Overview .............................................................. 3

State Workforce Investment Board....................................................... 4

The Governor’s Support....................................................................... 7

Taking WIN to Market ......................................................................... 8

WIN and MDA..................................................................................... 9

WIN Systems Map............................................................................. 10

WIN Flow Chart................................................................................. 12

Keys to Success .................................................................................. 13

Opening the Door to Opportunity ..................................................... 24

WIN Professionals and Partners ........................................................ 25

WIN Works for Mississippi ................................................................ 26

Enhancing the WIN System in Mississippi ......................................... 28

The 2001 Annual Report for the Workforce InvestmentAct in Mississippi appropriately details the progress andpositive outcomes that have been realized in this pastyear. Since its inception in 1998, the WorkforceInvestment Act has provided the framework for the

Workforce InvestmentNetwork, or 'WIN' inMississippi.

In Mississippi, we knowthat workforcedevelopment iseconomic development.Through our WINprogram, we havehelped shape our state'sworkforce into one thatis filled with well-trained, qualifiedworkers. A highlyqualified, productive

and available workforce is a major attraction forbusinesses and industries considering expansions ornew locations in Mississippi.

We will continue to focus on attracting new companiesto Mississippi and helping our existing businessesexpand and prosper. The WIN in Mississippi hasproven to be a vital tool and initiative in these effortsand our Advantage Mississippi program.

One very important reason for our success with ourWIN program is the participation at the local level

among elected officials, business leaders and our stateagency partners. This collaboration, working inconjunction with the State Workforce Investment Board,the Local Workforce Investment Areas and Boards, hasproduced a sound plan that ensures the needs ofbusinesses and job seekers are met through tailoredsolutions designed to enhance local workforcedevelopment and economic growth.

As evidenced in this report, the Program year 2001,was a year filled with positive values and outcomes.WIN in Mississippi is off to an excellent start and itsfuture is full of potential.

In the coming year, I pledge my support andcommitment to the WIN in Mississippi partners who arededicated to maximizing all available resources fortraining, retraining and education.

The WIN in Mississippi Program is a stakeholder inMississippi's economic growth, and through this growth,we can improve the lives of all our citizens throughoutthe state.

Sincerely,

Ronnie Musgrove, Governor

Governor’s Letter

The Workforce Investment Network, WINin Mississippi, provides convenient, one-stop employment and training services tobusinesses and job seekers.

WIN combines federal, state andcommunity workforce programs andservices and makes them easily accessibleat on-site WIN Job Centers or through on-line electronic sites.

Businesses and job seekers agree thatWIN really works! It is a customer-friendlysystem of services that really does BringPeople and Jobs Together.

The framework for WIN in Mississippiwas established by the WorkforceInvestment Act of 1998 (WIA). TheEmployment Training Division of theMississippi Development Authority (MDA)administers WIA in Mississippi. It consistsof locally designed and managed systemsthat provide customer choice andconvenient access to services andprogram information for both the businesscustomer seeking qualified workers andthe job seekers as well.

There are six local Workforce InvestmentAreas (WIAs) in the state established bythe Governor that receive MDA grants toadminister various local programs. Each

area’s local elected officialsappoint a Workforce InvestmentBoard comprised of local business and publicsector representatives. Thisboard and local elected officialsare responsible for designinglocal WIN programs to meet theneeds of the community.

During this year of ForwardProgress, (July 1, 2001 throughJune 30, 2002), objectives setforth in the first year ofimplementation have been metand, in many cases, surpassed.During the course of the past year, thevision for workforce development createdby the Governor’s State WorkforceInvestment Board has served as a roadmap for the program.

The local area boards continue to developplans that address local needs, andremain consistent with the Governor’soverall vision for workforce development.The Memorandums of Understandingcreated by the local partners outliningeach entity’s commitment to success havebeen underwritten and remain the focalpoint of the overall mission of the locallevels.

Across the state, local elected officials inthe six local areas have devoted muchtime to establishing a network of one-stopor WIN Job Centers, where customers,both businesses and job seekers, receivea menu of services delivered to them viaone convenient location. WIN Job Centershave been remodeled, additionalequipment purchased, and more stafftrained. Now after two complete years inexistence, over 60 full-service or affiliateWIN Job Centers are operating inMississippi.

3

WIA and WIN: An Overview

The State Workforce Investment Board is a vital part ofthe WIN in Mississippi system. The Board membershiprepresents the diverse population of the state, with theChairman of the Board and a majority of the membersrepresenting both large and small businesses.

Other members include representatives of labor,education, local government and community leaders.This dedicated group of individuals assists the Governorin meeting his federally mandated responsibilities under

the Workforce Investment Act and ensures that the visionfor an effective workforce development system is realized.

The following is a list of State Board members that servedJuly 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, and their area ofrepresentation.

State Workforce Investment Board

Chairman:

Mr. George Schloegel (SWIB Chairman)President & CEOHancock BankGulfport, Mississippi

Governor’s Office:

Vacant

Mississippi Association of Supervisors:

Mr. Joel YelvertonAssistant Executive DirectorMississippi Association of SupervisorsJackson, Mississippi

Organized Labor:

Mr. Bobby Alexander120 Waterwood Brandon, Mississippi

Mr. Mark ScottProject Director/IAM CaresPascagoula, Mississippi

Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission:

Mr. Curt ThompsonExecutive Director/Mississippi Employment Security CommissionJackson, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of RehabilitationServices:

Mr. H. S. McMillanExecutive Director Department of Rehabilitation ServicesJackson, Mississippi

Mississippi State Department ofEducation:

Dr. Henry L. JohnsonState SuperintendentMississippi Department of EducationJackson, Mississippi

Mississippi Development Authority:

Mr. Robert J. Rohrlack, Jr.Executive DirectorMississippi Development AuthorityJackson, Mississippi

Institutions of Higher Learning:

Dr. Thomas LayzellCommissionerInstitutions of Higher LearningJackson, Mississippi

Mississippi Department of HumanServices:

Ms. Janice Broome BrooksExecutive DirectorDepartment of Human ServicesJackson, Mississippi

State Board for Community and JuniorColleges:

Dr. Wayne StonecypherExecutive DirectorState Board for Community and Junior CollegesJackson, Mississippi

Community Based Organizations:

Vacant

Private Business:

Ms. Vivian BerryhillChief Executive OfficerThe North Mississippi HeraldOlive Branch, Mississippi

Mr. Joe Cochran1004 Meadowcrest CoveNew Albany, MS

Mr. Charles DotyPresident/CEOLextron CorporationJackson, Mississippi

Mr. Frank Genzer, Jr. PrincipalFrank Genzer ArchitectsBiloxi, Mississippi

Mr. Tom GreshamChief Executive OfficerDouble Quick, Inc.Indianola, Mississippi

Ms. Margaret B. HallSenior Commercial Loan OfficerAlacom FinanceOxford, Mississippi

Mr. Michael HowardPresidentTransformer DivisionHoward IndustriesLaurel, Mississippi

Mr. Larry V. JohnsonDirector Mississippi/Alabama OperationsDelphi Packard Electric SystemsClinton, Mississippi

5

Mr. J. Barthell Joseph, Jr.President Reed Joseph InternationalGreenville, Mississippi

Mr. Den KnechtVice PresidentCommunications & Employee ServicesNorthrop Grumman Ship SystemsPascagoula, Mississippi

Mr. Denotee MartinMartin ContractorsNew Albany, Mississippi

Mr. David McMillenGeneral Manager HMC Technologies New Albany, Mississippi

Mrs. Paige Sessums Lena, Mississippi

Mr. Maurice SmithRegional ManagerTVA Economic DevelopmentTupelo, Mississippi

State Workforce Development Council:

Mr. George WalkerChairmanState Workforce Development CouncilClarksdale, Mississippi

State and District WorkforceDevelopment Council:

Mr. James H. FinleyPresident & CEOCraft-CoMorton, Mississippi

Mr. Charles HolderChief Executive OfficerHol-Mac CorporationBay Springs, Mississippi

Mr. Michael D. ThomasManager of Land,Government and Public AffairsMississippi Lignite Mining CompanyAckerman, Mississippi

Mississippi Planning and DevelopmentDistricts:

Mr. F. Clarke HolmesExecutive DirectorCentral Mississippi Planning andDevelopment DistrictJackson, Mississippi

Local Elected Officials:

Mr. Jimmie SmithSupervisorLauderdale CountyMeridian, Mississippi

Mr. Larry W. SwalesSupervisorRankin CountyBrandon, Mississippi

Business Executive and Veteran of U. S.Armed Forces:

Mr. Donald VerucchiManager of Maintenance Planning/TrainingInternational PaperNatchez, Mississippi

State Legislature:

Honorable Nickey R. BrowningMississippi State SenateEcru, Mississippi

Honorable Herb FriersonMississippi House of RepresentativesPoplarville, Mississippi

Honorable Timothy L. JohnsonMississippi State SenateMadison, Mississippi

Honorable Joe WarrenMississippi House of RepresentativesMount Olive, Mississippi

Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker:

Vacant

The Governor’sSupportGovernor Musgrove remains an ardentsupporter of the WIN in Mississippiprogram and is particularly proud of whathas been accomplished in the relativelyshort history of WIN in Mississippi and itsimpact on our state’s workforce.

The Governor’s Office has tasked theMississippi Development Authority to helpcreate a climate favorable to business.

A climate that focuses on industries’needs. The programs and services of WIN in Mississippi and its network ofWIN Job Centers are a positive value in this mission.

Through workforce investment programs,specialized training programs, improvededucation and quality business retentionprograms, we can create such a climateand be able to offer those business andindustries a dynamic workforce.

WIN in Mississippi is helping to ensureour state has a skilled, well-preparedworkforce to meet the needs of existingbusinesses, as well as the businesses and industries considering moving toMississippi.

Everyone in the Governor’s Office iscommitted to finding solutions to makeWIN in Mississippi the linchpin ofemployment and training services in our state.

7

WIN in Mississippi ishelping to ensure ourstate has a skilled,well-preparedworkforce to meet theneeds of existingbusinesses as well asthe businesses andindustries consideringmoving to Mississippi.

During Program Year 2000, the Year of Implementation,the WIN brand was established along with pivotalmarketing tools for overall awareness of the program, to include WIN in Mississippi and WIN Job Centerlogos, WIN collateral materials and a WIN graphicstandards strategy.

Program Year 2001, became the Year of ForwardProgress and an aggressive strategic marketing plan was adopted and conducted through out the state.

The Marketing Plan objective was to provide afoundation for establishing name recognition andawareness in an effort to build brand identity and drivecustomers to the WIN Job Centers for the employmentservices they provided.

On August 20, 2001, a major program launch wasundertaken which was highlighted by a “fly around” by the Governor to key WIN Job Centers. Press relatedmedia coverage was augmented with a paid media planthat supported the overall marketing objectives for atwelve-month period.

The marketing objectives for Program Year 2001 included:

• Introduction of the WIN in Mississippi Program and itsnetwork of WIN Job Centers as a unified and user-friendly approach to workforce development inMississippi.

• Position the WIN in Mississippi Program as acollaborative effort by state agencies, local electedofficials and local business leaders.

• Establish brand awareness and name recognition of theWIN in Mississippi Program among identified targetedaudiences through the use of an aggressive paid mediaplan; the message of which was the benefits andservices delivered through the network of WIN JobCenters.

The paid media included outdoor billboards, radiocommercials, black and white newspaper advertisementstargeted to the job seeker and a series of black andwhite print advertisements targeted to businesses.

Taking WIN To Market

MDA’s recent innovation in workforcetraining involves programs made possibleby the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,which provides the framework for theWorkforce Investment Network, or WIN inMississippi. In a collaborative effort, TheExisting Industry and Business and theEmployment Training Division work with thesix local Workforce Investment Areas toprovide existing industries and businesseswith all types of employment services.

WIN combines federal, state andcommunity workforce programs andservices and makes them easily accessibleat any one of the over 68 WIN Job Centersor through an on-line electronic site.

Training services are available to eligiblepeople who can’t find adequateemployment through normal job searchstrategies. These job seekers may receiveservices directly linked to job opportunitiesin their local area. This assistance mayinclude occupational skills training, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial training, skillupgrading, job readiness training, andadult education and literacy activities.Adult and dislocated worker trainingrequires the use of Individual TrainingAccount vouchers (ITAs) that allowcustomers to choose where they receive

training from a list of qualified providers.WIN Job Centers offer businesses free jobpostings, a large pool of available andskilled workers and information about andreferral to on-the-job training programs thatreduce the cost of training new employees.WIN also saves businesses time andmoney by recruiting and screening newcandidates for employment.

When a company has to lay off employeesbecause of a closing or downsizing, it is difficult for both the employer and the affected workers. The MississippiDevelopment Authority (MDA) has designeda system called Rapid Response to assistwith a number of different programs.Rapid Response is an early interventionservice that assists both businesses andemployees affected by layoffs or plant

closures. It provides access to user-friendlyresources and information to help transitionaffected workers into reemployment.

Staff of the MDA Employment TrainingDivision leads the Rapid Response efforts.The first step is an on-site meeting with theemployer to discuss resources and servicesavailable to help manage the layoff and toidentify employees' specific needs. Thismeeting also includes union/employeerepresentatives, if appropriate.

In partnership with the Governor’s Officeand the Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission, the Employment TrainingDivision also sponsors a program of JobFairs throughout the state. These Job Fairslink job seekers with businesses.

The Existing Industry and Business Divisionoperates a Résumé Cross Match ServiceProgram to assist Mississippi companiesseeking qualified workers. It alsoadministers the Mississippi BusinessIncubator Program, which maintains 13 business incubators that include morethan 100 small businesses. The BusinessIncubator Program provides assistance tobusinesses and entrepreneurs in the form of shared facilities, centralized servicesand other incentives.

9

WIN and MDA

Local Workforce Investment Areas and WIN Job Centers

HINDS COUNTYHinds CountyPO Box 686Jackson, MS 39201601-968-6502

Job Centers:

Jackson420 East Woodrow WilsonDrive601-368-2900

Jackson1-55 North Frontage Road601-961-7931

Jackson 1775 Wilson Boulevard601-502-1118

DELTASouth Delta Planning & Development DistrictPO Box 1776Greenville, MS 38702662-378-3831

Job Centers:

BatesvilleTylertown Plaza 10316 Woodland Road662-563-7318

Belzoni501 Hayden Street662-247-2264

Charleston *Child Support Office662-453-7141

ClarksdaleFederal Building236 Sharkey662-624-9001

Cleveland119 North CommerceAvenue662-843-2704

Greenville800 Highway 1 South, Delta Plaza662-332-8101

Greenwood313 Lamar Street662-453-7141

Indianola226 N. Martin Luther KingDrive662-887-2502

Lexington106 West Wood Road662-834-2426

Marks *DHS Building Hwy 3 South662-624-9001

MayersvilleIssaquena Courthouse132 Court Street662-624-9001

Rolling Fork *400 Locust Street662-332-8101

Tunica1054 South FitzgeraldsBlvd.Robinsonville, MS 38664662-363-2469

GULF COAST

Gulf Coast Business Services CorporationP.O. Box 6626 Gulfport, MS 39506-6626228-897-1881

ADAMS

ALCORN

AMITE

ATTALA

BENTON

BOLIVAR

CALHOUN

CARROLL

CHICKASAW

CHOCTAW

CLAIBORNE CLARKE

CLAY

COAHOMA

COPIAH

COVINGTON

DE SOTO

FORREST

FRANKLIN

GEORGE

GREENE

GRENADA

HANCOCK

HARRISON

HINDS

HOLMES

HUMPHREYS

ISSAQUENA

ITAWAMBA

JACKSON

JASPER

JEFFERSONDAVIS

JONES

KEMPER

LAFAYETTE

LAMAR

LAUDERDALE

LAWRENCE

LEAKE

LEE

LEFLORE

LINCOLN

LOWNDES

MADISON

MARION

MARSHALL

MONROE

MONTGOMERY

NESHOBA

NEWTON

NOXUBEE

OKTIBBEHA

PANOLA

PEARL RIVER

PERRYPIKE

PONTOTOC

PRENTISS

QUITMAN

RANKIN

SCOTT

SHARKEY

SIMPSONSMITH

STONE

SUNFLOWER

TALLAHATCHIE

TATETIPPAH

TISHOMINGO

TUNICAUNION

WALTHALL

WARREN

WASHINGTON

WAYNE

WEBSTER

WILKINSON

WINSTON

YALOBUSHA

YAZOO

JEFFERSON

DELTA

MISSISSIPPI PARTNERSHIP

SOUTHCENTRAL MISSISSIPPI WORKS

HINDS COUNTY

TWIN DISTRICTS

GULF COAST

M A P K E Y

• WIN Job Centers

Job Centers:

Bay St. Louis3060 Longfellow Drive228-467-9572

Biloxi2306 Pass Road228-388-7997

Gulfport2229 22nd Street228-864-1771

Pascagoula4111 Amonett Street228-762-4713

MISSISSIPPI PARTNERSHIP

Three Rivers Planning & Development DistrictPO Box 690Pontotoc, MS 38863662-489-2415

Job Centers:

Ackerman *Courthouse Annex662-285-6998

Amory1619 Highway 25662-256-2618

Ashland/Access Point *Justice Complex662-224-6310

Booneville101 Cunningham Blvd.662-720-7459

Calhoun City *102 South Main Street662-628-8346

Columbus400-B Wilkins Wise Road662-328-6876

Corinth31 CR 401662-287-3247

Corinth Affiliate714 Taylor Street662-286-3308

Fulton *Itawamba CountyCourthouse662-862-3824

Grenada1751 Poplar Street662-226-2911

Eupora *114-A Highway 9 North662-258-7086

Hernando225 Losher Street662-429-9874

Holly Springs *230 College Street662-252-7664

Houston665 North Jefferson Street662-456-3563

Iuka1107 Marie Lane662-423-9231

Kosciusko117 Northside ShoppingCenter662-289-2621

Louisville600-B North Court Avenue662-773-5051

Macon *16129 Highway 45662-773-5051

New Albany *921 Fairgrounds Spur Road662-534-1933

Oxford2130 West Jackson Avenue662-234-3231

Pontotoc *29 East Washington662-489-3956

Ripley *111 East Spring Street662-837-7411

Senatobia4975 Hwy 51 North Box7045662-562-3351

Tupelo146 S. Thomas Street662-842-4371

Tupelo/Access Point2176 Eason Blvd.662-620-5250

Starkville100 Felix Long Drive662-323-2272

Water Valley *307 Main Street662-473-2445

West Point117 East Jordan Avenue662-494-4144

Winona *109 Liberty Street662-283-4105

SOUTHCENTRALMISSISSIPPIWORKS

Central Mississippi Planning & Development DistrictPO Box 4935Jackson, MS 39296601-981-1511

Job Centers:

Brookhaven545 Brookway Boulevard601-833-3511

Canton3142 S. Liberty StreetP. O. Box 450Canton, MS 39046-3730601-859-9022

Hazlehurst1016 Carroll Drive601-894-2121

McComb416 Marion Avenue601-684-4421

Natchez310 Briarwood Road601-442-0243

Pearl212 St. Paul Street601-939-0786

Vicksburg1625 Monroe Street601-638-1452

Vicksburg/Specialty Center100 Smokey Lane601-638-2770

Yazoo City306 East Jefferson Road601-746-1141

TWIN DISTRICTS

Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District700 Hardy StreetHattiesburg, MS 39401601-545-2137

Job Centers:

Carthage202 C.O. Brooks Street601-267-9282

Columbia1111 Highway 98601-736-2628

Hattiesburg4100 Mamie Street601-264-0502

Forest229 South Davis Street601-469-2851

Laurel1721-B West 10th Street601-649-7813

Meridian1100 17th Avenue601-483-1406

Philadelphia1120 East Main Street, Suite 11601-656-2811

Picayune1839-B Cooper Road601-798-3472

* Part-time offices11

“My participation in theSELECT Program turnedmy life around. I wastaught many skills thatenhanced my educationand employment goals.I was determined toovercome my shynesswith people and myinstructor/team leadernever stoppedencouraging me to tryjust a little harder to bemore outgoing. And itworked! When Iinterviewed with myboss, he told me that Ishouldn’t be afraid tocommunicate with theother staff member andthe customers. Now I’vegot my GED and amenrolled at MississippiDelta communityCollege where I ammajoring in computerscience.”

Michael McCafreyWashington County

µ

WIN in MississippiAt A Glance

Workforce Investment Act

Governor

Employment Training Division

Local Elected OfficialsLocal Workforce Investment Areas

and Boards

µ

µ

µ

µ µ

ADULT - 24%$14,744,150

YOUTH - 29%$17,838,009

DISLOCATED WORKERS - 47%

$17,838,009

D MS

SCTD

H

G

D – Delta - $10,855,496MS – Mississippi Partnership - $9,867,442 SC – South Central - $7,341,758H – Hinds - $3,555,514TD – Twin Districts - $8,174,100G – Gulfcoast - $5,385,840

DISLOCATED WORKERS -

20%521

YOUTH - 32%809

ADULT - 48%1,215

Local Workforce Investment Area AllocationsTotal - $45,180,150

State AllocationsTotal - $61,839,773

Individuals ServedThrough WIA Programs

WIN in Mississippi is a locally managedand designed program, responding tospecific local workforce development needs.It emphasizes partnerships, and representsa collaborative effort with private business,local elected officials, and local and stateagencies. These strategic partnershipsensure that the needs of local employersand job seekers are met in the communitythrough tailored solutions designed topromote workforce development andeconomic growth.

There are six Local Workforce InvestmentAreas (LWIAs) in Mississippi that receivegrants from the Employment TrainingDivision to manage programs locally.Elected officials in each area must establisha local Workforce Investment Board. Thechairman of the board and a majority of itsmembers must be representatives of privatebusiness. Having business as a partner inWIN in Mississippi is vital to its success.Local business leaders can best identifylocal labor market needs and help to selectprograms that provide meaningful servicesand training to our citizens as well asaddress employer needs.

Board membership also includesrepresentatives of education, labor,economic development, and communityleaders. Through these strategic

partnerships, the local areas mobilize allavailable resources and design programsthat offer workers the employment andtraining services needed to be competitivein the market place and provide businesswith the workforce it needs.

WIN in Mississippi Local WorkforceInvestment Area Achievements

The six Workforce Investment Areas aretasked with implementing the initiatives setforth in the Workforce Investment Act of1998. Outlined below, is a description ofeach area and highlights of the activities,programs, initiatives, and individualtestimonials from some of the participantswho benefited from the programs created ineach local area.

Mississippi Partnership

Fiscal Agent: Three River Planning andDevelopment District

AREA SERVED:

The Mississippi Partnership is comprised of27 counties that covers the largest area inthe state of all the six Workforce InvestmentAreas. The counties within the MississippiPartnership include: Alcorn, Attala, Benton,Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay,

DeSoto, Grenada, Itawamba, Lafayette,Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe,Montgomery, Noxubee, Oktibbeha,Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo,Union, Webster, Winston and Yalobusha.

Three Rivers Planning and DevelopmentDistrict (TRPDD) handles the day-to-dayadministration of the law and works withthe local Workforce Investment Board, localelected officials, WIN Job Center operators,various state agencies and other serviceproviders to ensure that all WIArequirements are met. TRPDD also contractswith three other planning and developmentdistricts to serve as planning andimplementation agents.

The Mississippi Partnership has a system ofone-stop centers, known in Mississippi asWIN Job Centers, to serve adults,dislocated (laid off) workers, and at-riskyouth. The twenty-nine WIN Job Centerlocations are under a consortium of fourWIN Job Center operators, or partners,who serve as the leads in their local areas.These partners are: the MississippiEmployment Security Commission,Northeast Mississippi Community College,Northwest Mississippi Community Collegeand Itawamba Community College.

13

Keys To Success

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Currently, 16 youth providers conduct WIA youthprograms in the 27 counties. These programs areprovided to low-income youth who face one or moreadditional barriers to their success. These barriersinclude: deficient basic literary skills, school dropout, or an offender.

Three of the out-of-school programs, known as the YouthEmployment and Training Sponsorship Program (YETS)provide occupational skills training to disadvantagedyouth. Over 500 out-of-school youth were served inProgram Year 2001 versus 290 in Program year 2000.

During Program Year 2001 six WIA programs conductedawards ceremonies for their youth participants.

During the Program Year 2001, the MississippiPartnership Workforce Investment Area had a significantincrease in enrollment into WIA. Those increases include:

• Core Services – 97% increase

• Intensive Services – 203% increase

• Training Services – 463% increase

The Fiscal Agent staff conducted several meetings of WINJob Center managers and operators and on-the-job andcustomized training providers throughout PY 2001. Thesemeetings helped define the overall mission and goals andimplementation methods were examined and refined.

Delta

Fiscal Agent: South Delta Planning and DevelopmentDistrict

AREA SERVED:

The Delta Workforce Investment Area is comprised of 14counties that cover the northwest portion of the state. Thecounties within the Delta Workforce Investment Areainclude: Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys,Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower,Tallahatchie, Tunica and Washington.

South Delta Planning and Development District handles theday-to-day administration of the law and works with thelocal Workforce Investment Board, local elected officials,WIN Job Center operators, various state agencies and

Keys To Success

other service providers to ensure that all WIArequirements are met.

The Delta Workforce Investment Area has asystem of WIN Job Centers to serve adults,dislocated (laid-off) workers, and at-riskyouth. The fourteen WIN Job Centerlocations are under a consortium of WIN JobCenter partners, who serve as the leads intheir local areas. These partners are: the Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission, Mississippi Department ofRehabilitation Services, CoahomaCommunity College, Northwest MississippiCommunity College and Mississippi Delta Community College.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Currently, 16 youth providers conduct WIAyouth programs in the 14 counties. Theseprograms are provided to low-income youthwho face one or more additional barriers totheir success. These barriers include:deficient basic literary skills, school dropout,or an offender.

During the Program Year 2001, the Delta Workforce Investment Area had asignificant increase in enrollment into WIA.Those increases include:




The National Association of DevelopmentOrganizations recently recognized the DeltaWorkforce Area for its Student Education,Leadership, Employment, CitizenshipTraining (SELECT) Program.

The SELECT Program provides eligible youth,16-18 years of age, assistance in achievingacademic and employment success. Theprogram includes a variety of options forimproving educational and skillcompetencies as well as providing aneffective connection to employers.

Upon completion of employability skills, theinstructor/team leader works with eachparticipant in securing employment. Theinstructor/team leader also follows eachparticipant’s progress for one year aftercompletion of the program.

During Program Year 2001, 36 participantswere enrolled with 100% of them obtainingtheir Work Readiness and Basic Skills goals.Fourteen participants received their GEDwith six of those attaining scores highenough to receive full scholarships toNorthwest Mississippi Community College.

Hinds County

Fiscal Agent: Hinds County Board ofSupervisors

AREA SERVED:

Hinds County Workforce Investment Network(HCWIN) is located in west centralMississippi. Jackson, the state capitol, is thelargest city in the state and is situated in thenortheast corner of Hinds County. Thecounty’s population is 250,800 withapproximately 184,256 residing in the cityof Jackson

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors andthe Hinds County Local WorkforceInvestment Board designed their programs inorder to respond to specific local workforcedevelopment needs. The Board emphasizespartnerships and represents a collaborativeeffort with private business, local electedofficials, and local and state agencies. These strategic partnerships ensure that theneeds of local employers and job seekersare met through tailored solutions designedto promote workforce development andeconomic growth.

The Hinds County Workforce InvestmentNetwork (HCWIN) was created toadminister federal legislation directed 15

by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. WIAservices are delivered at the Workforce Investment Network(WIN) Job Centers throughout the state of Mississippi.Currently there are three Hinds County WIN Job Centers.

Hinds County is set apart as a leader in the State ofMississippi with attributes such as its nationallyrecognized healthcare facilities, US Customs Port of Entryand Foreign Trade Zone, abundant energy and rawmaterials, excellent transportation network, low taxes,excellent business incentives, international airport,excellent primary, secondary and higher educationinstitutions.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

During the Program Year 2001, the Hinds CountyWorkforce Investment Area had a significant increase inenrollment into WIA. Those increases include:




Another component of the HCWIN is the WIA YouthProgram. The HCWIN Youth Program provides basic life skills training and occupational training to youth betweenthe ages of 14-21. The overall service strategy is designedto include the WIA mandated, ‘10-element’ concept tointerject long-term intervention into the lives of youth,assuring success, personal growth and self-sufficiency.

During Program Year 2001, The WIA Youth Programserved a total of 623 participants, both in-school and out-of-school youth. These youth were selected from atarget group with basic skill deficiencies, school dropouts,offenders, homeless and foster children, and individualsrequiring additional assistance to complete aneducational program or to secure employment.

The HCWIN Youth Program is dedicated to thecontinuous improvement of youth’s skills development andgenuinely committed to community enhancement throughtechnology, education and professional development. The program encourages achievement by offering a goal-oriented curriculum that includes: career developmentworkshops, tutoring/mentoring programs, personal and leadership development, paid work experience,alternative education sources, occupational skills training,counseling, and supportive services.

Keys To Success (cont.)

“After working jobs for$4.00 and $6.00 anhour, I figured if I wasgoing to ever have anykind of real job orcareer I needed to getsome training. That’swhy I went to the WINJob Center in Quitmanand signed up with theWIA Program. TheWIN Job Center staffhelped me get enrolledin a training program tolearn to be a truckdriver. While I was in my trainingprogram I was able toqualify for ITA voucherswhich really helped mywife and I financiallywhile I was in thetraining program. Now,not only do I have, mycommercial driverslicense, but I’ve got agreat job with WernerTrucking and I’m on myway to a whole newcareer with good pay.”

Jack DavisHattiesburg

Southcentral MississippiWorks

Fiscal Agent: Central Mississippi Planningand Development District

AREA SERVED:

The Southcentral Mississippi Works iscomprised of 16 counties that cover thesouthwest portion of the state. The countieswithin the Workforce Investment Areainclude: Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah,Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln,Madison, Pike, Rankin, Simpson, Walthall,Warren Wilkinson and Yazoo.

During Program Year 2001, SouthcentralMississippi Works funded the operation of nine WIN Job Centers. Activities andservices provided through these centersoffered all residents of the area access tothe latest labor market information, careerplanning tools, job search resources andother employment related information.

Employers accessed a variety of servicesincluding applicant screening, interviewrooms, information on labor supply andavailability of training options.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

During the Program Year 2001, the

Southcentral Mississippi Works WorkforceInvestment Area has a significant increase in enrollment. Those increases include:

• Adult – 83% increase

• Dislocated Workers – 163% increase

• Youth – 358% increase

During Program Year 2001, SouthcentralMississippi Works enrolled over 2,600individuals, most of whom received someform of occupational training. Trainingservices were provided through eitherIndividual Training Accounts or formal On-the-Job Training. Individual TrainingAccounts cover tuition and related costs of attending established occupational orvocational training programs. On-the-JobTraining allows workers to gain new skillswhile on-the-job and allows employers toreduce training costs by reimbursing aportion of the trainees’ wages while theyare learning.

Southcentral Mississippi Works continued to emphasize job-training services andexpanded the Individual Training Accountprogram offered through the WIN JobCenters. One goal of this was to ensure that training options remained available to clients who needed such services. This

action resulted in a relatively large number ofnew clients entering training during the year.

The initial planning and implementation for a Graduate Luncheon, which was held inAugust 2002, occurred in Program Year2001. The Graduate Luncheon recognizedgraduates of training programs who hadremained employed more than 90 days.Invitees included employers of the graduates,the local Boards of Supervisors, localWorkforce Investment Board and the electedlocal officials. Robert J. Rohrlack, Jr., ExecutiveDirector of the Mississippi DevelopmentAuthority, was the keynote speaker.

In addition to training services, SouthcentralMississippi Works assisted numerous otherindividuals with basic labor exchangeservices and helped them find suitableemployment when additional skill trainingwas not required.

Southcentral Mississippi Works providedassistance to employers as well as jobseekers. Through the WIN Job Centers,employers can locate qualified employees,obtain information on the local labormarket, receive assistance with training new workers, and locate other resources to assist them in meeting the needs of their business.

17

During program year 2001, Southcentral MississippiWorks provided services to both in-school and out-of-school youth. The in-school program built upon Tech-Prepactivities in local schools by providing students withadditional tutoring during the school year and combinedacademic and work-based learning activities during thesummer months. In addition, Southcentral MississippiWorks initiated a new Senior Work Readiness programdesigned to help graduating seniors review their goalsafter-high school and develop specific action plans forreaching these goals.

The out-of-school program offered dropout youth anopportunity to earn a GED while exploring work optionsand preparing for employment or further education.

Southcentral Mississippi Works allocated youth funds toeach of the sixteen counties for both in-school and out-of-school services. In-school funding was offered to at least one public school district in each county. Out-of-school funds were offered to the public communitycolleges serving the area. This process ensured that theentire workforce area benefited from the youth servicesavailable through the Workforce Investment Act.

Twin DistrictsFiscal Agent: Southern Mississippi Planning andDevelopment District

AREA SERVED:

There are nineteen counties designated as the servicearea for Twin Districts which include: Clarke, Covington,

Forrest, Greene, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper,Lamar, Lauderdale, Leake, Marion, Neshoba, Newton,Perry, Pearl River, Scott, Smith and Wayne.

Throughout the period from July 1, 2001 through June 30,2002, the Twin Districts Workforce Board has workedcooperatively and in coordination with the local electedofficial Board in the mission to establish and develop aWorkforce Investment Board which works seamlessly andefficiently with the WIN Job Center System in order toprovide improved economic development for our areaand a higher standard of living for our citizens.

All efforts have been made to meet the goals establishedby Twin Districts Workforce Board. These goals are:

• Develop a viable, customer friendly WIN Job Centersystem by promoting cooperation between business,job seekers and the system

• Define and establish lines of communication bothinternally and externally

• Eliminate any duplicative efforts

• Improve the capabilities of our workforce, thusadvancing economic development

• Support and improve education at all levels

• Provide meaningful occupational training

• Provide continuous improvement in the system.


“Getting into the‘Careers’ Program kept me from gettinginto more trouble withthe law. One day, Imentioned I’d alwayswanted to be a linemanfor a power company.While I was in DUIschool my counselorworked with me to getme on the right track. Ienrolled in a class andreceived my GED andpassed. That was myfirst step to becoming alineman. Right now, I’mattending Singing RiverElectric Lineman Schoolwhich guarantees100% placement with apower company. If ithadn’t been for theWIN supportedprograms like‘Careers,’ there’s notelling how I wouldhave ended up.”

JamieGulfport

ACHIEVEMENTS:

There were two prominent challenges facing theTwin Districts Local Workforce Area duringprogram Year 2001. One was a large number of business closures and layoffs in the 19 countyarea, a still inactive statewide reporting system,and developing and implementing policies andprocedures that would most effectively andefficiently yield the best customer service to theclients in our area.

During the Program Year 2001, the Twin DistrictsWorkforce Investment Area has a significantincrease in enrollment. Those increases include:

Those increases include:




During the Program Year 2001, over 2,150individuals lost their jobs through plant closure or business cutbacks that resulted in layoffs.Only a few of these individuals were called backto employment. The majority of layoffs becamepermanent situations. Perhaps the most notablebusiness closures involved the BurlingtonIndustries plant with over 850 workers affectedand the Wells LaMont operation that accountedfor over 140 jobs lost.

Both of these closures affected Clarke andWayne County with people being impacted infive surrounding counties. Although therewere several smaller layoffs, these two hit atapproximately the same time. Smaller layoffsand business closures affecting fewerindividuals were seen throughout the TwinDistricts area.

To meet this challenge, the Twin DistrictsWorkforce Board established a WIN(Workforce Investment Network) TransitionCenter in Quitman, Mississippi. This TransitionCenter was designed as a temporary site totarget dislocated workers and provide themwith services that may be needed.

The WIN Transition Center opened forservice at the end of May. Working in the center was a consortium ofpartnerships and alliances including: the Mississippi Development Authority’sEmployment Training Division, MississippiEmployment Security Commission, theMississippi Department of RehabilitationServices, Jones County Junior College, the local chamber, Weems Mental Health,and Mississippi State University ExtensionService.

A grand opening was held on June 14, 2002.Governor Ronnie Musgrove, local mayors,supervisors, U. S. Representative Ronnie

Shows, and many other public officialsattended. Three area television stations andtwo radio stations in addition to local printmedia covered the event.

The second challenge that faced our areawas the continued understanding andassessment of needs in the Twin DistrictsWorkforce Area. The WIA system createdsuch a new and diverse coordination of systems and programs that proceduraland policy needs could not be anticipatedat the outset of WIA implementation. TheTwin Districts Workforce Area Fiscal Agent,its partners and its Workforce InvestmentBoard have met this challenge. The Boardhas amended policies, implemented newpolicies, carefully assessed situations,anxiously implemented pilot projects andevaluated the results.

19

Gulf CoastFiscal Agent: Gulf Coast Business Services Corporation

AREA SERVED:

The Gulf Coast Workforce Investment Area is comprised of the fivegeopolitical jurisdictions of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jacksonand Stone Counties. Three of the counties, George, Hancock andStone, are predominantly rural, with 75 percent of the Gulf CoastWorkforce Investment Area’s population living in the Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

Through its administrative entity and fiscal agent, Gulf CoastBusiness Services Corporation, the Gulf Coast WorkforceInvestment Board successfully administers the WorkforceInvestment Act programs for all customers in the five coastcounties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The Gulf Coast Workforce Investment Board, as the area’sone-stop operator, established a full service WIN Job Centerin the most populated county, Harrison County, and threeaffiliate sites, and two access points in each of theremaining counties through a consortium of partners. The full-service WIN Job Center is electronically andtechnologically linked to a network of affiliate, specialty oraccess sites. The current full-service WIN Job Center has twopartners co-located on a part-time basis.

During the Program Year 2001, the Gulf Coast WorkforceInvestment Area has a significant increase in enrollment.Those increases include:

Those increases include:




The Board’s planned, model full-service WIN Job Center,funded through a WINnovation Grant, will co-locate all theWIN partners on a permanent or transient basis andintegrate the core services of each partner into this centrallocation. This total integration will assure that informationon the core services is available regardless of wherecustomers initially enter the workforce development system. A recently procured state-of-the-art Mobile WIN Job Centerwill allow Local Workforce Investment Area staff to take the


“If it hadn’t been for my WIN Job Center I would still be a singlemom with two childrenand just dreaming of acareer in the medicalfield. But my cousinencouraged me to goto the WIN Job Centerin Natchez and see if I could qualify for aWIA Training Program.So I did and next thingI know, I’m learninghow to become arespiratory therapistwhich is what I amtoday with a greatposition at the NatchezRegional CommunityHospital. I learned ifyou can dream it, youcan do it with help fromyour WIN Job Center.”

Jennifer JonesNatchez

resources needed by job seekers, dislocatedworkers and business and industry to theirlocation on a timely basis providing thenecessary services on site. This mobile unitwill reach a broader range of customers atthe point the service is required.

The Gulf Coast Workforce Investment Boardis committed to a one-stop partnership thatwill bring consensus on each componentnecessary to take the one-stop system fromvision to reality. The system implementationstrategy is a building block approach;adding as the need is recognized and fundsbecome available to meet that need.

The consolidation and coordination of theshared one-stop system allows for qualitymanagement, based on continuousimprovement within the system, of a highperformance work organization resulting inan ever improving system that providesprograms and activities leading toemployment, training, literacy andvocational rehabilitation, where needed.

The Gulf Coast Workforce Investment Boardserves the youth of the Workforce InvestmentArea through the same kind of proactivestrategy. The mission of the Gulf CoastWorkforce Investment Board and its YouthCouncil is to facilitate and be the catalystfor training and educational services that

are responsive to the continuing educationand employment needs of the youth of theGulf Coast Workforce Investment Area.

The Workforce Investment Board’s YouthCouncil serves as a repository ofresources on local youth organizations,their programs and activities. Thepartnership with Job Corps of Americaand the School-to-Career programs hasbecome stronger as the Gulf CoastWorkforce Investment Area’s youthprograms and activities incorporateeffective youth development practicesthat provide long-term flexibleinterventions. School-to-Career programs help expandthe area’s youth provisions, particularlyas they relate to promoting highacademic achievement and in buildingessential roles for employers andcommunities in the education of youngpeople. The Gulf Coast WorkforceInvestment Board providers areexpected to effectively work with otherpublic and private agencies that carryout activities and have an impact on thesuccessful outcomes of the Gulf CoastWorkforce Investment Board customersand the achievement of local objectives.The Gulf Coast Workforce Investment Area had eleven youth serviceproviders serving both in-school and

out-of-school youth during PY 2001.Three innovative, pilot programs werefunded through State WINnovationGrants at the end of PY 2001, to beginserving youth during PY 2002.

The first program, Focus on the Future, is designed as a Mississippi Gulf CoastCommunity College pilot program that providestwenty in-school youth, ages 14-15 years withthe opportunity to develop and utilize theirnatural leadership abilities in a non-threateningand fun environment. Youth participate in bothclassroom training and hands-on activities thatequip the students in Leadership/Citizenship,Life/Employability skills, Career Exploration,and Team Building skills. The skills developedin Focus on the Future will provide the youth a foundation for future growth as contributing members of society.

21

Focus on the Future is a collaborative partnership betweeneducation, community and business. These youth are notonly lacking in basic skills, but often do not see muchhope for a productive future.

In addition to attainment of the basic skills and dropoutprevention, this program will use the resources ofbusiness, industry, the community college system, andpublic officials to provide these youth with a variety ofexperiential learning encounters with activities to broadentheir vision of possible career paths, enhance their qualityof life and basic technology skills, and build hope andconfidence in the possibility of their having a meaningfulrole in society and the workforce.

The Gulfport Municipal Court in coordination with theUniversity of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Campus,through its pilot program, the Citizenship andJustice Academy, offers year-round educationalopportunities to up to 100 offenders aged 14 - 21 whoare economically disadvantaged and are no longerenrolled in school.

An average of 30 youth are introduced into the GulfportMunicipal Court system per month. Many of these areunemployed and have serious literacy deficiencies, andsome are homeless, teenage parents or disabled. TheCourt, with its “captive audience” of these youth and theunusually high concentration of credentials among itsstaff, is strategically placed to offer services to these at-risk youth.

Operation About Face! is a pilot program conductedby the Mississippi Military Department that focuses onconnecting academic and occupational learning,ensuring graduates are prepared with essential life skills,teaching leadership skills, and preparing for futuretraining and employment.

This program serves an at-risk population of in-schoolyouth solely in an after-school and summer program.Most students are lacking work experience and areacademically deficient (at least one grade belowappropriate grade level).

During Program Year 2001, the Gulf Coast WorkforceInvestment Area conducted a number of training sessionsfor the frontline staff of the WIN Job Centers and the


“The access to thisprogram and thesuccess we haveenjoyed has beenextremely beneficial to our agency. Throughthe help and guidanceof the WIN Job Centerstaff, we have beenable to providetraining that hasenabled us to reshapeour operation to bemuch more productiveand efficient. This hasshown up on ourbottom line as well.The reimbursementsare obviously anadded value to oursuccess. We lookforward to continuingour participation in the WIA TrainingPrograms.”

John A. FloydCornerstone Insuranceand Financial, Inc.Booneville

staff of all youth service providers. InJanuary 2002, nationally recognizedconsultant and trainer, Jodie Sue Kelly,conducted a two-day workshop on WIAcase management. The workshop coveredall aspects of case management andconcentrated on how to manage the exitstrategy for participants. Frontline stafffrom all Job Centers and youth providersattended these sessions.

In early April 2002, another nationallyrecognized consultant conducted two focusgroups to solicit support for and informattendees on how to conduct a communityaudit and map the resources available

within the community. A number ofcommunity agencies attended bothseminars and agreed to assist in an area-wide audit and mapping of thevarious resources available to participantsand service providers.

As a result of these sessions, Gulf CoastBusiness Services worked with a variety of agencies in the Gulf Coast WorkforceInvestment Area to accomplish an updated survey and a consolidateddatabase of community resources. Theresults are to be published in both bookletand CD-ROM form.

23

The centerpiece in terms of services and programdelivery is the network of over 60 WIN Job Centers.

Located throughout the state, these centers providecustomers easy access to a variety of services in theareas of employment, education, training, human servicesand economic development - in one convenient location.

For employers and job seekers, the WIN Job Center isthe local connection that brings together extensiveresources and information under one roof. The centersfocus on customer choice and customer satisfaction, andthe staff at each location is eager to help employers andjob seekers with any employment and training needs.

Through the WIN Job Centers, Mississippians can openthe door to many opportunities:

Opportunities for Job Seekers

WIN Job Center staff help job seekers create or updaterésumés, conduct job searches, and prepare for jobinterviews. Staff also provide information on careers indemand and available job training to help job seekers bemore competitive in the job market.

Job seekers have access to fax machines, copiers and theInternet-connected computers to help with job searches. A customer conducting job searches has the use of thesefacilities at no cost.

Job seekers accessing services through the centersparticipate in a progression of service levels: core,

intensive and training. Basic core services are availableto everyone and must be utilized before customers areeligible to progress through the system.

Available services include:

• Job search and placement assistance

• Internet access for job searches and résumé posting

• Access to office equipment: computer, fax machine,

and copier

• Interview tips

• Résumé preparation software

• Labor market information

• Career assistance for ex-offenders

• Services for veterans

• Information on WIA's Core, Intensive and

Training services

• Information on unemployment insurance benefits

• Career and aptitude assessment

• Information on assistance for laid-off workers

• Information on NAFTA/TAA benefits for employees

• Information on and referral to training

• Information on and referral to child care, transportation

and other support services

• Information on programs to improve math and

reading skills

• Referral to rehabilitation services

Opening The Door To Opportunity

“Thank you forsending employees likeJim Sansing into theworkforce. Jim hasbeen a terrific asset toour overallperformance as acompany. He is one ofthe most dedicatedand self-startingemployees we have.He is always on timeand willing to dowhatever is asked ofhim. Hiring olderemployees is a goodpractice as they havegood work habits, andJim is a terrificexample of this. I wishwe had more like him.Thanks to WIN andthe staff of the WINJob Center for instillingexceptional workethics in yourcustomers.”

Billy BoothBilly Booth Delivery, Inc.Tupelo

Opportunities for Employers:

WIN Job Centers offer employers theopportunity to find the skilled workers theyneed from a large pool of availableapplicants, access information aboutcustomized training for new and expandingbusinesses and on-the-job training programsthat reduce the cost of training newemployees. Additionally, WIN Job Centerstaff can save employers time and moneyby recruiting and screening new candidatesfor employment.

Available services include:

• Free job posting• Database of qualified workers• Internet access to post job listings and

review applicant résumés• Recruiting and screening of job

candidates• Assistance with writing job descriptions• Proficiency testing for employees• On-the-job training information• Private rooms for interviews with

perspective employees• Information on Work Opportunity Tax

Credits (WOTC)• Up-to-date labor market data and wage

information• Upcoming job fair information

• Information on Rapid Response services tohelp employers facing a layoff

• Forms/guidance for filing a NAFTA orTrade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)petition

• Information on NAFTA and TAA benefitsfor employees

Local workforce areas and boards haveoversight responsibilities for WIN JobCenters in their area and contract withagencies locally to manage the centers.The Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission is a key partner in the system,and manages the majority of the full serviceor affiliate sites across the state.

Bringing new partners together that share acommon goal expands services availablefor customers in one convenient location,allowing the centers to more effectivelyserve a wider range and number of people.

As a result, traffic at the WIN Job Centerswill increase. During the transition year,approximately 284,704 people wereserved by the partner agencies of the WINJob Center.

25

WIN Professionals and Partners

WIN in Mississippi represents acollaborative effort with private business,local elected officials, local and stateagencies. This collaboration ensures thatthe needs of local businesses and jobseekers are met in the communitythrough tailored solutions designed topromote workforce development andeconomic growth.

WIN in Mississippi Partners*

Mississippi Development Authority Local Elected Officials Local Workforce Investment AreasMississippi Department of EducationMississippi Department of Human ServicesMississippi Department of

Rehabilitation ServicesMississippi Employment Security

CommissionState Board for Community and

Junior Colleges U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development

*May include other partners in the local areas.

Customer Satisfaction

WIN works in Mississippi by delivering the type of innovativestrategies aimed at providing unique, locally designed andmanaged programs and services for its customers, the area’sjob seekers, dislocated workers, at-risk youth and businesses.Customer satisfaction is the number one goal of WIN inMississippi.

In a recent survey the levels of satisfaction toward employmentservices provided by local WIN Job Centers were found to besubstantially high.

The goals for achieving customer satisfaction for employersand employees served through the WIN Job Centers farexceeded expectations during the transition year. Over 75percent of employers surveyed and 68 percent of employeesexpressed their satisfaction with the services received. Oursuccess in focusing on customer service and satisfaction isreflected in the following chart:

Governor’s Job Fair Network

For a person who has spent two, four, ten, or even twenty yearswith one employer, the path to reemployment can be filled withobstacles and barriers. The focus of the Governor’s Job FairNetwork is to identify and tear down those barriers and providea setting where dislocated workers and others looking foremployment can apply for jobs, learn about available services ofthe WIN Job Centers, and receive counseling to deal with theloss of a job. In addition, it helps employers find the skilledworkers they need to be competitive.

The Governor's Job Fair Network is working to putMississippians in jobs and provide employers with the workersthey need. From July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002,10 job fairswere held throughout the state. Over 555 businesses participatedand 16,660 people attended the job fairs. As a result, 4,899job offers were made the day of the event with 8,115 hiresprojected during the next year as a result of the Governor’s JobFair Network.

WIN Works for Mississippi

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

68%75%

MISSISSIPPI'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTIONJuly 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002

Individuals Employers

GoalActual

68% 66%

“The satisfaction indexfor participants andemployers clearlyindicates the high levelsof satisfaction with theemployment servicesprovided by the localWIN Job Centers. This high level ofperformance becomeseven more apparentwhen other factors areconsidered. WIN JobCenters serve a verydiverse population withdifferent job trainingneeds. In this respect,they have beeninstrumental in placingcustomers within theirlocal area job markets.In addition, the ability ofthe WIN Job Centers topartner with other stateand local institutionshas been an importantelement contributing tobetter meet the needsof participants andemployers.”

Dr. Domenico ParisiResearch Fellow &Assistant ResearchProfessor, SocialScience ResearchCenter (SSRC)

Rapid Response

When a company has to lay off employeesbecause of a closing or downsizing, it is difficultfor both the employer and the affected workers.The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) hasdesigned a system called Rapid Response toassist with a number of different programs.

Rapid Response is an early intervention servicethat assists both businesses and employeesaffected by layoffs or plant closures. It providesaccess to user-friendly resources and informationto help transition affected workers intoreemployment.

Staff of the MDA Employment Training Divisionleads the Rapid Response efforts. The first step is anon-site meeting with the employer to discussresources and services available to help managethe layoff and to identify employees’ specific needs.

The next step is the development of a plan of actionfor delivering needed services and mobilizing theRapid Response Team.

The Rapid Response Team is comprised ofrepresentatives of key local and state agencies thatprovide resources and services to assist laid-offworkers. MDA staff leads the team that includes:

Mississippi State University Extension ServiceDepartment of Human ServicesMississippi Employment Security CommissionCommunity and Junior CollegesLocal Workforce Investment Area

The Rapid Response Team provides information onservices available through the WIN Job Center andthe partner agencies. This information includes:education and training opportunities, résumé writingassistance, career assessment, access to Internetconnected computers for job searches and résumépostings, children’s health insurance program, freeconfidential financial counseling, job search andjob placement assistance, starting a business andunemployment insurance.

During the Forward Progress Year 2001, (July 1,2001 to June 30, 2002, the MDA Rapid ResponseTeam assisted 76 companies, providing informationand services to 10,053 employees.

About Face

About Face is a collaborative program offered bythe Mississippi National Guard in conjunction withthe WIN in Mississippi Program, HUDNeighborhood Networks and the local workforceinvestment areas and is funded through TANF.

This program serves an at-risk population of in-school youth solely in an after-school and summerprogram. Most students are lacking work experienceand are academically deficient (at least one gradebelow appropriate grade level). Some students mayalso be teen parents, adjudicated youth, children ofparents with substance abuse, handicappedstudents, and students with limited Englishproficiency. The program emphasizes academics(homework assistance), job preparation (résuméwriting, filling out job applications) and moneymanagement (balancing a checkbook, budgeting).

The program is a maximum two-year program. The first year consists of classroom activities, andthe second year consists of work experiences.

The About Face Program is available in Aberdeen,Greenwood, Hattiesburg, McComb and Pascagoula.

WINnovation Grants

WINnovation grants are made possible by theFederal Workforce Investment Act, which providesthe framework for WIN in Mississippi.

The WINnovation Grants are used to benefit thecitizens of the communities within each Local WorkforceInvestment Area, and they fund the development ofprojects that impact our state’s workforce.

In Program Year 2001, all six of the Local WorkforceInvestment Areas were eligible to receive grants thatgo towards funding various innovative communityprojects and programs.

Among some of the projects and programs the grants funded are the operation of youthprograms such as Focus on the Future, a youthleadership program, and the Youth OffenderProgram. Other uses for WINnovation grantmoney include establishing and enhancing the network of WIN Job Centers throughout thestate and funding training and skills-upgradingprograms for adults and laid-off workers.

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An important statewide responsibility under the WorkforceInvestment Act (WIA regulations, Section 665.201) is “toprovide capacity building and technical assistance to localareas, including Local Boards, One-Stop operators, One-Stop partners, and eligible providers, which include:

1. Staff development and training and;2. The development of exemplary program activities; and3. Conducting research and demonstrations.”

In Mississippi, building the capacity of the system and thefront-line staff in the WIN Job Centers has been animportant part of the Forward Progress Year 2001. As theyear began, there were only 500 individuals receivingtraining, and only 300 in On-the-Job Training. The WINsystem was spending less than one million dollars a month.By year’s end, there were 4,000 individuals receivingtraining, 1,300 in On-the-Job Training, and the WIN systemwas spending five million dollars a month. Much of thisamazing progress is due to the many efforts at building thecapacity of the WIN staff.

WIN-ing Conference

The Employment Training Division and the professionalassociation of the Mississippi Employment SecurityCommission jointly sponsored the first annual WIN-ing inMississippi Conference in the fall of 2001. More than 300front-line staff and WIN partners attended the Conference.Twenty-four workshops were given, on topics such ascustomer satisfaction, Rapid Response, youth services,reporting requirements, performance measures, increasingthe effectiveness of case management, and enhancing

services to dislocated workers. In addition, some of theworkshops featured outstanding programs in Mississippi,with tips on how to replicate them.

John Chamberlain

John Chamberlain, an attorney with more than 20 years ofexperience in job training programs, was engaged toprovide technical assistance to each of the local workforceareas. He visited each of the six local areas, spending aday reviewing the operations of a WIN Job Center,interviewing focus groups of participants and employers,and then providing individualized feedback on ways toenhance services, or provide additional services. He thenspent a second day reviewing administrative policies andprocedures, suggesting improvements and additions. Later he then spent a week at the state level, reviewingadministrative systems, policies and procedures, suggestingnew policies and clarifications in existing policies. Then hehosted a one-day workshop with the state and all six localareas, in which improvements and enhancements werediscussed in detail. Several of the local workforce areasasked Mr. Chamberlain for a second visit. As a result,numerous changes were made in the WIN system, rangingfrom customer flow in the WIN Job Centers to new programideas. Several WIN Job Centers have created computerresource labs as a result of these visits.

Jodie Sue Kelly

Jodie Sue Kelly of Cygnet Associates, a national expert in youth services and enhancing customer value, wasengaged to hold several workshops on the ways to improve

Enhancing the WIN System in Mississippi

youth services and outcomes and how todesign a WIN Job Center to maximizecustomer value. Response wasoverwhelming to her workshops with150individuals attending. To respond toadditional requests, a second set ofworkshops was added with another 100participating.

Center for Workforce Learning

The Center for Workforce Learning, a nationaltraining organization that has conductedworkshops in thirty-five states and more than200 workshops for the US Department ofLabor, gave workshops to WIN Job Center staffon organizational effectiveness, enhancingcase-management techniques, and customer-driven service.

Robert Visdos

Robert Visdos, the former Executive Director of the Network Consortium, a nationalorganization that focuses on coordinatingvocational education and workforcedevelopment services, hosted a symposium forcommunity colleges and WIN Job Center staffin order to share techniques and strategies onproviding integrated services to jobseekers.

Geoff Meade

Geoff Meade, a clinical psychologist with morethan 20 years experience in conductingoccupational assessments, was engaged towork with four WIN Job Centers on how toimprove their techniques in assessment, in orderto provide better matches for individuals withjobs or with job training.

Research Efforts

Another approach to building the capacity ofthe WIN system in Mississippi has beenthrough research that is focused on improvingthe job placement strategies in the WIN JobCenters. The Mississippi DevelopmentAuthority, with a grant from the US Departmentof Labor and the state WIA funds, contractedfor four separate studies on business clusters.The concept of regional business clusters isbased on the seminal work of Dr. MichaelPorter, Harvard University, and stresses thatbusiness development is more effective if theresources are focused on similar industries in acertain geographic area. The four studieswere on: the Communications and TechnologyIndustries; Automotive Industries; Polymer-related Industries; and Forestry Products suchas furniture and pulpwood. Each of thesestudies resulted in the formation of a statewideconsortium that is continuing work ondeveloping these clusters. The WIN Job

Centers can use this information to developmore effective placement strategies inoccupations that have high wages and areincreasing in numbers.

Regional Technological Strategies wasengaged to study the coordination betweenthe Community and Junior Colleges and theWIN Job Centers and to recommend ways to improve both the services and theorganizational structure. Their work is beingused by a State Task Force to developrecommendations on structural and fundingchanges to the Governor. This studyrecommends the regional cluster approach for training efforts in community and juniorcolleges, so that specialty centers will bedeveloped across the state for specific types oftraining.

Two local workforce areas, Twin Districts andthe Gulf Coast, have worked with the state toconduct a study on business growth andbusiness needs in the southeastern part ofMississippi. The firm, Wadley-Donovan, hasinterviewed nearly 100 private companies incompiling this report. The WIN Job Centerswill use the results of this study to focus trainingand preparation efforts in the occupationalareas that are in demand, and to make moreeffective job placements.

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Equal Opportunity Employer / ProgramFunded by U. S. Department of Labor / Mississippi Development AuthorityFor more information on WIA or WIN in Mississippi call: 601-359-9250

Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities: TDD/TTY 601-576-2527

PROGRAM YEAR 2001 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

ADDENDUM

Evaluation During the program year the state continued to place emphasis on assessing the needs of the local workforce investment areas, one-stop operators, one-stop staff and service providers and on providing technical assistance to meet those needs. The emphasis on capacity building and training efforts shifted somewhat from technical and regulatory issues to system building through enhancing customer service by building on existing case management and service strategies and enhancing and streamlining assessment. The state continued its focus on compliance with the law, regulations, directives, and applicable policies and procedures. Staff and consultants reviewed and analyzed the results. Reports were issued. Where necessary, corrective action plans were required. As always, technical assistance was available from the state to assist in addressing areas or concern and building strong programs. The state continued and expanded its system of quarterly reviews of program performance and expenditures. At the behest of the Department of Labor, the state worked diligently to encourage local areas to increase expenditure levels while maintaining sound and prudent program controls. When necessary corrective action plans were required and technical assistance was provided. Cost of Workforce Investment Activities

Table 1 – Adult Program Costs 7/1/01 through 6/30/02

Table 2 – Dislocated Worker Program Costs 7/1/01 through 6/30/02

Table 3 – Youth Program Costs 7/1/01 through 6/30/02

Amount % of Total Total Served Cost Per Entered

Employment Total Available Total Expenditures





Page 1 of 7

CustomerSatisfaction

Participants

Employers

NegotiatedPerformance

Level

Actual Performance - Level - American

CustomerSatisfaction Index

Number ofSurveys

Completed

Number ofCustomers Eligible

for the Survey

Number ofCustomers Included

in the Sample

Response Rate

68 67.7 1,184 1,700 1,700 69.6

66 73.4 352 477 477 73.8

Table B: Adult Program Results At-A-Glan

Negotiated Performance Level Actual Performance Level

Entered Employment Rate

Employment Ratention Rate

Earnings Change in Six Month

Employment and Credential Rate

69 86.9 439

505

79 84 500

595

3,321 3,305 1,589,933

481

60 58.6 287

490

Table A: Workforce Investment Act Customer Satisfaction Results

MSState Name: Program Year: 2001

WIA Annual Report Data

Page 2 of 7

Table C: Outcomes for Adult Special Populations

ReportedInformation

EnteredEmploymentRate

EmploymentRetentionRate

EarningsChange in SixMonths

Employmentand CredentialRate

Public Assistance RecipientsReceiving Intensive or TrainingServices

Veterans Individuals WithDisabilities

Older Individuals

90.5

143

158 92.3

60

65 85.3

99

116 72.7

8

11

80.4

172

214 85.5

59

69 89.2

99

111 100

8

8

3,011

448,652

149 2,644

140,136

53 2,503

177,685

71 7,921

55,446

7

58.8 110

187 59.1

26

25 24.7

24

97 0

0

7

Table D: Other Outcome Information for the Adult Program

Reported Information Individuals Who ReceivedTraining Services


Employment Retention Rate

Earnings Change in Six Months

Individuals Who Only ReceivedCore and Intensive Services

87.1 311

357 86.5

128

148

82.6 362

438 87.9

138

157

3,500 1,224,978

350 2,786

364,955

131

Page 3 of 7

Table E: Dislocated Worker Program Results At-A-Glance



Earnings Replacement in Six Months

Employment and Credential Rate


77 95.4 433

454

86 89.4 387

433

94 95.6 3,043,634

3,182,581

60 62.6 154

246

Table F: Outcomes for Dislocated Worker Special Populations

Reported Information

Entered EmploymentRate


Earnings ReplacementRate

Employmemt AndCredential Rate

Veterans Individuals With Disabilities Older Individuals Displaced Homemakers

94.3 50

53

96.9 31

32

90.5 19

21 100

6

6

84

42

50 87.1

27

31 89.5

17

19 66.7

4

6

98.8

349,311

353,630 116.7

202,797

173,749 100

148,708

148,708 96.6

56,652

58,657

67.9

19

28 72.7

8

11 12.5

1

8 100

1

1

Page 4 of 7

Table G: Other Outcome Information for the Dislocated Worker Program




Earnings Replacement Rate

Individuals Who Received Training Services Individuals Who Received Core and Intensive Services

91.9

226

246 99.5

207

208

87.6

198

226 91.3

189

207

101.4 1,439,882

1,419,877

91 1,603,752

1,762,704

Table H: Older Youth Results At-A-Glance



Earnings Change in Six Months

Credential Rate


61 72.3 198

274

74 78.9 183

232

2,335 2,741 386,453

141

50 28.7 102

356

Page 5 of 7

Table I: Outcomes for Older Youth Special Populations


Entered EmploymentRate

Employment RetentionRate

Earnings Change inSix Months

Credential Rate

Public Assistance Recipients Veterans Individuals With Disabilities Out-of-School Youth

63.8

44

50

1

2 79.1

53

67 73.3

189

258

81.3

39

48 0

0

1 80.9

55

68 81.2

181

223

2,782

77,884

28-2,345

-2,345

1 3,015

117,582

39 2,636

358,550

136

33.7

30

89 0

0

2 8.7

8

92 27.4

90

329

69

Table J: Younger Youth Results At-A-Glance

Skill Attainment Rate

Diploma or Equivalent Attainment Rate

Retention Rate


72 91.7 3,362

3,665

55 22.8 362

1,591

41 64.9 500

771

Page 6 of 7

Table K: Outcomes for Younger Youth Special Populations


Skill Attainment Rate

Diploma or EquivalentAttainment Rate

Retention Rate

Public Assistance Recipients Individuals Disabilities Out-of-School Youth

91.5

1,501

1,640 87.3

192

220 86.2

809

939

18.7

139

743 40.3

27

67 33.6

118

351

65.6 244

372 77

114

148 57.2

183

320

Table L: Other Reported Information

Adults

DislocatedWorkers

OlderYouth

12 MonthEmployment

Retention Rate

12 Mo. Earnings Change(Adults and Older Youth) or12 Mo. EarningsReplacement(Dislocated Workers)

Placements forParticipants inNontraditionalEmployment

Wages At Entry IntoEmployment For

Those Individuals WhoEntered Employment

UnsubsidizedEmployment

Entry Into UnsubsidizedEmployment Related tothe Training Received ofThose Who Completed

Training Services

67.5

1,197

1,773 2,574

4,393,367

1,707 8.2

36

439 3,208

1,151,546

359 48.7

214

439

77.4

2,623

3,389 97.7

21,953,066

22,475,476 2.5

11

433 4,298

1,628,868

379 33.3

144

433

63.4 306

483 1,931

886,430

459 2

4

198 2,160

334,877

155

Page 7 of 7

Table M: Participation Levels

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Participants Served Total Exiters

9,249 2,510

3,879 1,045

1,262 565

5,513 2,267

Table N: Cost of Program Activities

Program Activity Total Federal Spending

Local Adults

Local Dislocated Workers

Local Youth

Rapid Response (up to 25%) 134 (a) (2) (A)

Statewide Required Activities (up to 25%) 134 (a) (2) (B)

StatewideAllowableActivities134 (a) (3)

$19,263,895.00

$15,399,211.00

$22,399,801.00

$2,255,662.00

$8,832,789.00

HIRE Learn Demonstration

Business Asst-MS Delta

WIA Community College Coordination

Jobs for MS Graduates

Business/Industry/Education

Business Asst/Gulf Coast Ship Bldg Partnership

WIA Job Fairs

OneStop Network System MESC

Offender Construction Demo

Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response Coordination MESC

$68,151,358.00Total of All Federal Spending Listed Above

Pro

gra

m A

ctiv

ity

Des

crip

tio

n


Page 1 of 6

Table O: Summary of Participants

State Name: MS Progam Year: 2001

Local Area Name:

Total ParticipantsServed

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Gulf Coast Business Services Corp.

1,334

603

186

508

365

183

40

84

Negotiated PerformanceLevel

Actual PerformanceLevel

Customer SatisfactionProgram Participants

Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Earnings Change / EarningsReplacement in Six Months

Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)

Credential / Diploma Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Skill Attainment Rate Younger Youth

Description of Other State Indicators of Performance

Overall Status of Local Performance

68 67.7

66 73.4

69 95.8

77 97.1

61 90.9

79 64

86 81.8

74 80

41 42.9

3,232 3,717

94 93.2

2,335 3,371

60 66.7

60 52

50 33.3

55 24.6

72 63.7

N/A

2

Not Met Met Exceeded

6 9


Page 2 of 6



Local Area Name:


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Hinds County Workforce InvestmentBoard

1,190

256

158

588

220

41

117

369




Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth


Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth




68 67.7

66 73.4

69 65

77 96.8

61 27.3

79 94.7

86 86.7

74 100

41 36.4

3,231 3,219

94 99.6

2,335 998

60 57.6

60 71.4

50 0

55 16.1

72 91.5

N/A

4


5 8


Page 3 of 6



Local Area Name:


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Twin Districts

2,201

884

316

771

860

297

130

206




Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth


Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth




68 67.7

66 73.4

69 86

77 93.5

61 83

79 83.3

86 89.7

74 81

41 64

3,231 3,628

94 109.6

2,335 1,877

60 47.1

60 88.9

50 28.8

55 58.8

72 94.5

N/A

2


2 13


Page 4 of 6



Local Area Name:


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

South Central Mississippi

1,063

642

169

1,309

415

218

78

655




Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth


Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth




68 67.7

66 73.4

69 85.7

77 95

61 78.3

79 82

86 88.7

74 88.9

41 58.3

3,231 3,863

94 89.9

2,335 4,717

60 50.2

60 71.4

50 46.2

55 22.4

72 90.3

N/A

2


3 12


Page 5 of 6



Local Area Name:


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Mississippi Partnership

1,100

426

265

741

335

113

121

291




Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth


Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth




68 67.7

66 73.4

69 93.3

77 96.9

61 65

79 85

86 92.9

74 77.1

41 55

3,231 2,639

94 93.6

2,335 3,368

60 72.1

60 80.6

50 20.2

55 43.5

72 84.5

N/A

2


3 12


Page 6 of 6



Local Area Name:


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

Total Exiters

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth

South Delta Planning & Development

2,361

1,068

168

1,596

315

193

79

662




Employers

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth


Retention Rate

Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth


Adults($)

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth ($)


Adults

Dislocated Workers

Older Youth

Younger Youth




68 67.7

66 73.4

69 91.1

77 91.7

61 75

79 87.8

86 92.4

74 82.6

41 83.4

3,231 2,992

94 107.6

2,335 3,056

60 78.2

60 73.5

50 41.2

55 7.6

72 96.7

N/A

2


2 13

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Mississippi - Employment and Training Administration · Governor’s Letter ... Jackson, Mississippi Organized Labor: Mr. Bobby Alexander 120 Waterwood Brandon, Mississippi Mr. Mark