Changes at the Federal Level will Negatively Affect Michigan Works! Ability to Help Job-seekers

Proposed changes to funding allotments by the U.S. Employment and Training Administration could reduce the number of services provided by Michigan Works!. Putting an end to Michigan’s established service delivery model, which uses local staff to respond quickly to job-seekers needs. The proposed changes likely reduce Michigan Works! staff from 400 to 100 employees; assuming a caseload of over 1,000 cases per year for each of the 100 staff members.

Vulnerable residents will be negatively affected by these changes, as 80 percent of Michigan works offices would be limited to only working with veterans. And over 60 percent of offices will have to reduce services to other vulnerable populations, such as a reduction in Michigan Works!’s immigrant and refugee navigation program and the service’s clean slate program. Which helps former addicts find stable work, and removes non violent offenses from their records. The proposal will also eliminate 9,000 or more career awareness events, such as job fairs, and education events. Unfortunately the proposal will dramatically impact the Upper Peninsula, as Michigan Works! will have to focus on areas of the state with high concentrations of people.

Those that are concerned by the proposed changes are asked to submit a comment for the us employment and training administration’s public hearing. Comments on the Wagner-Peyser Act Staffing proposal can be submitted here.