Making A World of Difference 

A Letter From the President

March is finally here, and the Annual Conference is just around the corner.   Organizing a conference is no small feat.  A lot of thought and careful planning goes toward getting together so many people.  Your Board of Directors has been hard at work reviewing presentation proposals, securing sponsors, exhibitors and even scheduling a few special guests to address the membership.  Everything is starting to fall into place, and we are beyond excited to see everyone in Branson this April.

As a reminder, the association is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Board of Directors election.  I personally encourage you to run for office or to nominate another member.  Only through volunteer efforts, each taking a turn, are we be able to continue building a strong, active, and successful state association.  Feel free to stop any of our board members and ask us questions.  You can find more information on our website along with the election form.

To be included on the election ballot, complete a MAWD Board of Directors Election Form by May 7, 2022 . The following positions are available:

• Membership Chair
• Business Relations
• Director at Large (3 positions)

If you would like additional information, please feel free to reach out to  me at gammdk@marktwain.net.

See you soon,

Dana Keller
President

March 15, 2022 Deadline - Scholarships & Awards

• MAWD Scholarship for MAWD members and immediate family
• MAWD Awards
• Professional of the Year
• Workforce Keystone
  
• Partner Collaboration
  
• Local Excellence in Partnership

2022 Annual Conference

April 27-29, 2022

Hilton Branson Convention Center

Branson, Missouri

House Spotlight –

A Close Look at a MAWD Partner:

Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program

Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments are designed to assess and randomly refer selected claimants to services that will help them become reemployed.  The program will also identify claimants who are not able, available, or actively seeking work and prevent erroneous payments to them, as well as improve efforts to detect fraud.

The RESEA program involves The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security (DES), which administers the unemployment insurance system in Missouri; the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) Office of Workforce Development (OWD); and the Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) in selected regions, which operate One-Stop Job Centers throughout the state. These departments and WDBs have emphasized the importance of reemploying Unemployment Insurance claimants and are working together to focus on improvements.

Who are the Players: Who can or does your agency serve?

The RESEA program serves individuals determined to be most likely to exhaust benefits under the methods established for the state’s Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) program, as well as transitioning veterans receiving Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service members (UCX).

While participation in RESEA is mandatory for those who have been selected, it is not meant to “punish” or “pick on” unemployment claimants; it is done to give them an extra push to connect with the multitude of services available at their local MO Job Center. These services can help participants achieve employment goals, and return to employment weeks earlier than they would have without RESEA.

Bonus Prize!

Regional RESEA Training

Jerri Bowles and Jenn Adams will be hosting the 2022 Regional RESEA Training on Wednesday, April 27^th at 8:30 am in Branson, Missouri at the Hilton Branson Convention Center prior to the start of the 2022 Annual MAWD Conference. If you will be attending this session, please, send an email to jenn.adams@labor.mo.gov no later than March 15, 2022 to ensure that adequate seating and training materials are available.

If you are unable to attend this session, don’t fret! This is only the first session; additional events will be held in Springfield, Sikeston, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Jefferson City before the end of the year. Dates to be announced soon.

HappierU is a digital resource center that aims to promote mental health to anyone wishing to use the resources.

HappierU features a series of videos, podcasts, and digital content, providing science-based advice, strategies, and coping mechanisms for stressful situations. 

While this initiative is targeted more toward college-age students, HappierU is available to anyone looking for ways to focus on becoming their happiest, healthiest self.

“Putting Missourians on a path to learn, work, and prosper means prioritizing mental health resources and making them easily accessible,” said Zora Mulligan, Missouri commissioner of higher education. “We are excited to launch this project knowing mental health is not only an important issue on college campuses, but across the state and nationwide.”

By accessing the HappierU content hub here, Happier U (wistia.com) individuals can view all of the latest content, subscribe for updates, and more. The content is free and available to everyone.

Anyone in a crisis or who needs to speak with a counselor can text MOSAFE to 741-741 or by dialing 1.800.985.5990. You’re not alone, there is help available.

MAWD Committee Chairs:

Alice Whalen
Public Information

Danielle Briot
Membership

Donna Brake
Professional Development

The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, in coordination with the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri Governor's Office, announced the establishment of the Project Eagle Apprenticeship Program, to qualify military training and experience towards a federally-recognized apprenticeship certification.

“We are so proud of our military men and women here in Missouri. This program, which takes military training and turns it into a nationally recognized credential, is just one more way we can show our support for the folks who serve and support us,” Governor Parson said. “The Project Eagle Apprenticeship Program allows service members to earn a credential that can translate into career advancements, helping bridge the gap between military and civilian life.”

With this new partnership, the Missouri National Guard has been able to register as an apprenticeship sponsor as a result of collaboration between the Office of Apprenticeship & Work-based Learning, the U.S. Department of Labor, and military partners. This certification will be a no-cost benefit to service members, who will receive an apprenticeship credential upon completion of their on-the-job learning hours. Learning occurs during duty hours under the direction of the service members’ supervisors. The programs are tailored to fit any enlisted Military Occupational Specialty or Air Force Specialty Code (MOS/AFSC) in the Missouri National Guard.

The new apprenticeship program, through MONG, is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the nation. It includes 170 occupations with every unit within MONG Air and Army participating in the program – which is the only of its kind.

“The Apprenticeship Program aligns with our culture of taking care of each other,” said Maj. Gen. Levon Cumpton. “It does so by providing national certification, which demonstrates the compatibility between military training and required skills for civilian employment. I am exceptionally proud of our partnership with DHEWD and the hard work of the team who made this opportunity possible."

“The successful work of matching over 170 Missouri National Guard occupations to approved apprenticeship occupations is due to the experience, and dedication of our Missouri Office of Apprenticeships’ Apprenticeship and Training Representatives, who are all retired guardsmen,” said Dr. Mardy Leathers. “They all have a passion to assist those who serve, and I believe this new program will be a lasting legacy to future service members.”

Learn more about other apprenticeship opportunities in Missouri at https://dhewd.mo.gov/apprenticeship_missouri.php.

The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) wants to know about your successes and the impact you are making in your community. As thought leaders and change-makers, workforce development professionals help break down barriers for customers to obtain self-sustainment. 

Please take some time to tell us about your success stories. Your success story can be about the success of a customer or a program. All you have to do is enter a short description of the workforce challenge, workforce solution, and the outcomes and benefits of your success story.