help support the farmworker job training programs

[Guest guest]

Folks,

Below is an announcement concerning the now threatened MSFW job training programs (WIA 167 grantees). As stated, this program is currently "zero budgeted" for the next fiscal year and will disappear unless a reversal is taken.

It would be more than a shame to lose this important resource for farmworkers. Additionally, these grantees often provide other assistance such as winterization, energy assistance or even child care.

Anything you can do to support the effort to inform Congress of the importance of these local level programs can help make the difference.

If you would like further information, I suggest you contact Strauss at the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, as noted at the end of the announcement.

Thanks.

Alice (please see below)

Alice C. Larson, Ph.D.Larson Assistance ServicesP.O. Box 801Vashon Island, WA 98070206-463-9000 (voice)206-463-9400 (fax)las@...

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RESTORE THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR FARMWORKERS

President Bush has requested zero funding in 2003 for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), authorized by Section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The reasons given are that the program is ineffective and duplicates services offered by other WIA providers.

Here are the facts:

In 2002 Congress appropriated $81 million for the NFJP. 94% of the funds were granted by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to 53 nonprofit and public agencies in 48 states and Puerto Rico. The grants provide skills training, job preparation and placement, and supportive services, including housing and micro enterprise development. DOL rarely serves farm laborers in other programs: there is no "duplication of services."

In the year ending June 30, 2001, almost 70% of eligible farmworkers who sought a job through training or placement got one through the NFJP -- a percentage slightly better than the combined WIA job training programs. The hard numbers: nearly 6,000 farm laborers were placed in jobs and 16,000 more received services that helped stabilize their employment in agriculture.

The $81 million are eliminated in the President’s 2003 request: the grants will not be transferred to the states. In effect, Governors will get an unfunded mandate.

The mainline One-Stop Centers of the WIA are located primarily in urban areas. They are not currently equipped to reach out to farmworkers, most of whom face severe barriers to non-farm employment.

More than 1 million farmworkers and their families have been served since the program began in 1971. The NFJP is their access to the American Dream.

Other facts of interest:

Most farmworkers earn less than $10,000 per year and few enjoy the employment-related benefits that most American workers take for granted.

Farmwork is intermittent and insecure. The average work year: about 26 weeks.

The vast majority of migrant farmworkers are Hispanic. The NFJP is the largest federal job-training program that targets a primarily Latino workforce.

The President believes that a safe and secure food supply is vital to Homeland Security. The National Farmworker Jobs Program helps secure our food supply by serving the workers who prepare and harvest 85% of the fruits and vegetables we consume. It should be restored and expanded.

For more information, contact:

A. Strauss, Executive Director

Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs

4350 N. Fairfax Drive

Suite 410

Arlington, VA 22203

Tel: 703-528-4141, ext. 101

Fax: 703-528-4145

Email: strauss@...