Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
e. 6. B. Review and Public Comment
In developing the AOP, the SWA must solicit information and suggestions from NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other interested organizations. In addition, at least 45 calendar days before submitting its final AOP, the SWA must provide a proposed plan to NFJP grantees, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other organizations expressing an interest and allow at least 30 days for review and comment. The SWA must: 1) Consider any comments received in formulating its final proposed AOP; 2) Inform all commenting parties in writing whether their comments have been incorporated and, if not, the reasons therefore; and 3) Transmit the comments and recommendations received and its responses with the submission of the AOP.
The AOP must include a statement confirming NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations and other interested employer organizations have been given an opportunity to comment on the AOP. Include the list of organizations from which information and suggestions were solicited, any comments received, and responses to those comments.
Current Narrative:
In developing the Agricultural Outreatch Plan (AOP), the SWA must solicit information and suggestions from NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other interested organizations. In addition, at least 45 calendar days before submitting its final AOP, the SWA must provide a proposed plan to NFJP grantees, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations, and other organizations expressing an interest and allow at least 30 days for review and comment. The SWA must: 1) Consider any comments received in formulating its final proposed AOP; 2) Inform all commenting parties in writing whether their comments have been incorporated and, if not, the reasons therefore; and 3) Transmit the comments and recommendations received and its responses with the submission of the AOP. The AOP must include a statement confirming NFJP grantees, other appropriate MSFW groups, public agencies, agricultural employer organizations and other interested employer organizations have been given an opportunity to comment on the AOP. Include the list of organizations from which information and suggestions were solicited, any comments received, and responses to those comments.
In developing the Agricultural Outreach Plan (AOP) information and suggestions were solicited through survey of the WIOA 167 National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) grantee (Telamon Corporation), and other appropriate groups, agencies, organizations to include: the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), and Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. The State Monitor Advocate for MSFW was also provided an opportunity to review and comment on the AOP.
The items that follow are the suggestions received from the most recent survey and the State response:
Telamon - WIOA 167 National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) grantee
Comment: Telamon, partnering with the Career center system and co-located in some Job Centers, will register farmworkers in Alabama JobLink (AJL) who may be eligible for additional American Job Center services through the Career Center system.
Response: Closer collaboration/coordination with partners serving MSFW should further outreach efforts allowing easier access to services, resulting in increased registrations, stimulation of dual enrollments with partners, and access to all services of the One Stop delivery system.
Comment: Need to be provided with referrals from One-Stop partners of individuals entering the One-Stop system who are identified as primarily dependent on farm work for their livelihood
Response: Increased awareness of One-Stop partners of specialized services, including educational and job training programs for individuals with agricultural farm work experience, should increase referrals resulting in better service to farmworkers.
Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA)
Comment: Communication/Information on services available through Career Centers doesn’t always reach farmers and farmworkers.
Response: Outreach and networking through agricultural groups, agencies, organizations and in particular the WIOA 167 National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) grantee should help ensure farmers and farm workers are aware of the services available to them through the Career Center system.
Comment: Farmers don’t always use the Career Center services available to them,
Response: Outreach and networking through agricultural groups, agencies and organizations to promote awareness of services available and staff assistance if needed should encourage farmers to use these services.
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Comment: The extensive network of job centers located throughout the state, the itinerant point centers located in key locations and the outreach activities planned provide appropriate levels of support for employment and training services to MSFWs and agricultural employers.
Response: None
State Monitor Advocate
Comment: Better data on the number of farm workers in the state is needed.
Response: Meetings with partners and organizations and agencies with agricultural interests will be pursued to explore means to improve estimates of farm workers in the state.