Unemployment
New Madrid County
Caring Communities Partnership
Core Result: Children succeeding in school
Benchmark: MAP Scores
February 2002
Objective
To decrease the unemployment rate from an average of 7.6% in 1998 to an average of 5.0% by 2004 in New Madrid County.
Target Population: Adult and Dislocated workers that meet the criteria of the Workforce Investment Act.
Strategies
Four successful components have been implemented and recognized to decrease and sustain a low unemployment rate in New Madrid County.
STEPS Program (implemented in 2001)
Enrolls adult and dislocated workers to assist them with employment related needs such as: resumes, applications, transportation needs, employment and education resources and workforce training. Participants of the program are case managed on an ongoing basis to assist them in overcoming barriers they may have in obtaining and sustaining employment.
Transportation Initiative (implemented in 1999)
Southeast Missouri Transportation Services currently operates three (3) buses on daily routes to and from Tyson Foods, Inc. in Dexter through a grant from the Private Industry Council. This opportunity allows customers who have barriers with transportation gain successful employment. Bus passes are purchased to offer sustainability to the program and allow the customer to feel a sense of “buy in”.
Bus riders pay $15 per week to access transportation services to Tyson Food, Inc.
Workforce Preparation (implemented in 1999)
Workforce Development and Creative Communities conduct Job Readiness Classes on a monthly basis to customers who are actively seeking employment or who wish to upgrade their marketable skills. Participants are offered individual training on communication, resumes, interview skills, job retention, and computer skills.
Mini-Job Fairs (implemented in 2001)
Links various employers to customers at the Family Resource Center. These job fairs are conducted once a quarter, customers have the opportunity to fill out applications and find out about possible employment opportunities. Employers invited to job fairs are currently accepting applications and conduct on the spot interviews.
Results
Funding/Return on Investment
Caring Communities | $ 0.00 |
In-kind | $ 6,500.00 |
State/Federal | $ 80,158.00 |
Noteworthy
**STEPS Program target number of enrollees is 79 adult and dislocated workers; currently the program has 100 participants.
**Through the Transportation Initiative there have been 150 individuals employed at Tyson Foods, Inc. and accessed the bus service.
**Four Mini Job Fairs have successfully employed 14 individuals.
Barriers / Road Blocks
The closing of several factories located in New Madrid County has been a large obstacle to helping find employment for many residents. This presents a huge barrier in that most employment in New Madrid County is centered around the factory industry.
