Job center services changing

SKYE POURNAZARI/DAILY FORUM
The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments Job Center location at114 W. Third Street in Maryville is shown Tuesday before the office changes it services. Not only will services change, but also the office layout and availability of computers. Functional Leader Kim Mildward said the center will switch to a more one-one one service.

Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments recently was awarded contracts to continue provision of Job Center services for Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties. Because of the contracts, not only will services change, but also the office layout and availability of computers.

The six-computer resources room located at the office at 114 W. Third St. in Maryville will be replaced by a self-service area with two works stations.

“Things will change quite a bit next week,” Kim Mildward, functional leader said.

She said they’ve seen fewer people making use of the stations in the last few years and attributes it to more people having a computer at home or a tablet or smartphone and their own internet service.

“We think that is the biggest factor as to why fewer people are coming in and using our computers,” said Mildward. “I think some of it is job market. There’s a lot of jobs that are out there. They have their pick in some respects as to what jobs are available and what to apply for.

“Maryville has always had a good mix of jobs that were open, but right now it’s really good because we have a lot of employers who are looking at expansions and new places coming in,” she said. “That is always great for people who are looking for work or for a change or looking to get back into the workforce if they haven’t been for a while. I think that helps in reducing our numbers.”

Mildward doesn’t believe fewer computers will deter anyone from getting the services they require. People often would come in and be sitting at the computers, but also be receiving assistance from someone in the office, she said. The switch to a more one-on-one service will free up those computers for people who are looking to just use the self-service.

“But I think too, one of the things the customers are going to enjoy when we go to this newer model, is if they come in and they do want to work with someone one-on-one … that’s going to be an asset to them,” Mildward said. “Being able to sit down and work with someone one-on-one on an appointment basis will help free up the self-service area.

“We all know job search is stressful and sometimes you feel like you’re very alone and having somebody can help you through that process … those types of things will be helpful to those customers who want those one-on-one services.”

The new self-service area still will be available for customers to do job searches, work on resumes and complete online applications without staff assistance. Customers who require one-on-one, staff-assisted services will have to go through a verification process to determine if they are eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. These programs include Adult, Dislocated Worker and In-School or Out-of-School Youth.

“It’s not really, (difficult to qualify for the programs) Mildward said. “It seems like it would be, but to get into our training program, it’s the same eligibility requirements. Individuals on TANF or food stamps automatically qualify for the Adult program. Individuals who have recently left the military and have their form 4 of their DD214 automatically qualify for the Dislocated Work program.”

As part of the process to determine eligibility, individuals will be required to provide their driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, high school diploma and proof of income for the last six months for anyone in their home who is related by blood, marriage or adoption. People who receive food stamps are automatically eligible, but will have to provide proof of their monthly benefits.

“I don’t think it will be really difficult,” Mildward said. “There are a variety of programs out there that we can generally figure out one of the programs that will be available to help them. And if not, we know of other resources that may be able to.”

The group is part a consortium of different partners 18 different federally funded partners, Mildward said.

“And that if we can’t help them, there’s probably another partner that we have out there that can,” she said.

In the first nine months of 2017 the center helped an average of 556 people.

“Will that number decrease?” asked Mildward. “It depends on the economy we hope the economy will continue to grow like it is. (It’s) kind of a sign that things are getting better. We’re adapting so that we can continue to serve people.”

“One of the most exciting parts of the new model job center, is that it will allow staff members more opportunities to get to the outlying areas to meet with businesses and individuals who aren’t aware of the services we provide or who aren’t able to get to Maryville for services, said Jackie Spainhower, executive director of the Regional Council.

The Missouri Job Center in Maryville is open from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for state observed holidays.