Food Share & Job Training: An Economic Rant of an Advocate...

Some point in the last week or so, there was an article in my local news paper about the fact that a good solid economic location also has to have a solid manufacturing going on, and how the local manufacturing businesses are stating that there is a lag in skilled labor vs. the positions open, and how the local technical college is taking in those who qualify for these positions are able to get grants, and how they are starting to host an apprenticeship for young people to get hands on training for these manufacturing jobs.  Even if there is a lag, at least it is being addressed as we speak, which is good for the long term effects of meeting those requirements.

Even though through the Wisconsin Works (W2) has been in effect for several years now, it has gotten a little bit tighter since we've gotten a Republican Governor and a republican majority in the State Assembly.  The original W2 plan was to get people who are on assistance to either work (even if it is only part time) to earn their benefits such as child care, Medicaid, food stamps, etc, or, if not employed, to apply for positions that they are qualified for, to be able to receive their benefits.  This was to try to curb the fraud on who are applying for jobs, for example, a high school drop out who is unemployed and the only experience is working at a gas station would not be qualified to apply as a store manager at a department store.  This way, they are applying for positions they actually have a chance at getting hired for, rather than purposefully applying above their heads, just to not even land an interview.

Now, with the tighter rules, there are other rules in place, that, even if the only benefit you are getting is Food Share, and if you do not have any minor children, you must participate in this FSET program, which is Food Share Employment & Training program, sponsored by ResCare (respect and care) Workforce Services who are "assisting people to reach their highest level of independence.  Of course if you are a senior citizen 65 years of age or older, or officially disabled, you are exempt from going for the jobs.  This is something for the 18-64 year old able bodied adults.

This program is to provide food share participants the assistance and support they need to obtain competitive employment.  FSET is supposed to "draw on the strengths, needs, and preferences of the ob seeker to provide services that result in successful & competitive employment, while promoting economic self sufficiency".
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What are the benefits of the program?
*  Employment:  FSET Case manager will help set goals, (short and long term) to help you gain full time employment.
*  Training:  online, in person, or at the worksite
     *  ResCare Academy has over 300 classes online.  Each person will receive a login and password.  Classes can be taken at any computer the participant has access to with internet.
*  Supportive Services:  overcome barriers such as child care needs and transportation
*  Education:  get your GED, Vocational Training, or earn certificates needed for job placement

FSET Enrollment
Enrollment in the Food Share Employment & Training  FORWARD Program is simple.  You must first be enrolled in the FoodShare program.

If you currently receive Food Share benefits, FSET enrollment is quick and easy.  Contact us and we will get you started!
As for a referral to the FSET program by calling:
     Racine & Kenosha Counties - 1-888-794-5820
     Walworth County - 1-888-446-1239

Foodshare Enrollment
If you are not receiving Food Share, but, think you might be eligible due to low income or unemployment, give us a call.

There are 4 ways to apply for Food Share in Wisconin.  Two of the easiest and quickest ways are:
     1)  You can find out if you are eligible by logging online at www.access.wisconsin.gov
     2)  You may talk to someone about eligibility and enrolling by calling:
          Racine & Kenosha Counties - 1-888-794-5820
          Walworth County - 1-888-446-1239

You can also apply in person or by mail.  The phone numbers listed above can be used to find out more information about these application options.
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Okay, mind you, I get it.  Wisconsin's economy is still very shaky.  The S.E. Wisconsin area that includes Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth are doing exceptionally poor in the jobs and economics department.  Many skilled jobs, such as machinists, welders, CNC operators, heavy equipment operators, etc are listed in the jobs section, and most of us are not qualified without the training which could be from school or by apprenticeships. 

There also many positions for CNA's in the jobs section, to do personal care work, both at nursing homes, group homes and home care agencies.  Some of these positions will hire personal care workers, who have experience but not the certification, and may help you get certified.  Here again, you need the certification or the experience.  In this case, there are programs available through your local Workforce Development Center to get into the health care field, whether it is as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Health Unit Coordinator (HUC), Surgical Technician, Medical Assistant (CMA), medical IT personnel, and a couple more.  Obviously, the IT people have the highest pay rate, and the rest have better earning potential than a CNA, even if it is just a little bit.

But, it seems as if this training that is offered in conjunction with the food stamp program has a wider option of help to propel people into the workforce aside from the two programs mentioned above.  This could be good news.  So, I called the number.  I am not required to participate in the program, even though yes, I do receive food stamps, probably because I do have a minor child who needs help with school issues.  Or, it could be because I went through the program in health care to get my health unit coordinator diploma, and subsequently got certified, yet it doesn't seem as if I am able to find a position, despite applying for about 175 positions as a CNA, HUC/CNA, and HUC positions in every facility in the Kenosha County, Racine County, and Milwaukee County areas.  Yes, the county areas, also.  Not just what is located in the city proper areas.  I've also probably put in an additional 50 or so resumes as a receptionist for doctor/clinic offices, optical offices, dental offices, medical supply places, as well as others, which have nothing to do with health care, but, I am not leaving anything remotely possible undone.

I actually agree with having people go through the program to try to find better job positions.  There are plenty of homeless people who would think it was super duper cool to have just a couple dollars to go buy themselves an ice cream.  Even in the case of a married couple, minor children or not, if both are physically and mentally able, one of them ought to be able to go for a job that is better than their current position.  Of course, it's different when the couple have children, and say, one of the adults/parents are disabled, so that leaves one parent to care for the children and their spouse, that it is better to allow for them to be home, or risk having to pay out more money for hired staff.  it's just economically more sound.

On the other hand, I have met plenty of people who try to use every excuse under the sun to not want to improve upon their situation.  They think because they are doing this or that, and because it's too hard to show up at certain times and places, or that they refuse to learn a different or new skill, or that they think they should be able to meander along and still get benefits.  What some people call trying, is only half ass, and here comes every excuse on the planet as to why they can't even try for any of these opportunities.  I say this, because I've had people ask me for job referrals or for what ever item or tidbit to make their lives easier or better, yet they find a way to waste it away by not applying, or bringing politics into their imploring letters for a job.  Some of these open positions require certain skills that are not physically demanding, but, requires other learning to be able to be qualified.  So.  Don't tell me you want an office job when you don't know how to use a computer well enough to use Microsoft office, or type relatively well.  The Workforce Development Center is available to help you learn these new skills.  They offer various classes throughout the month, every month, and if you're not an 8am person, go to the 1pm class.  Convenient?  Sometimes.  Not always.  But, do you want to live out your life, not knowing day to day if you're going to be able to make ends meet?  If you love yourself enough, respect yourself enough, know that you're deserving enough...  you will find a way to make it happen to get into these classes to update your resume, take what ever class it takes to learn or clean up your skills, and go for it.  That job isn't just going to fall in your lap by itself.  You have to go get it.  So when someone shows you a door to open, go knock on it.

Of course, there are times when some people like being in their situations...  Because they can come and go at will, and because they don't have family to have to worry for, they choose to be bachelors or homeless or what have you.  I don't get it, but, these people aren't complaining.  It is those who seem to do nothing but complain about their situations, when there are options to help them.  They are hard up, but, they don't do as much to get up on their own to get things done.  Yes, I realize that not everyone has the same level of gumption.  I discovered advocacy in college, and, I not only enjoyed it, but found I had a knack for it.  I also discovered that yes, I need to be my own advocate as well.  When I get into advocacy mode, there are many who wonder how I keep it up.  But, as I said, I have a knack...  It's like a musician who works hard busting their chops, and as thankless as it may be, when it's show time, they shine like the star they are...  Sometimes it would be nice to borrow some of that energy, but, hey, you gotta find your own energetic place, and use that as fuel to boost yourself.

Thing is, I totally understand that the situation is ridiculously difficult, because everything costs money.  But, this FSET program is willing to give you a bus pass or a gas card to go do what you need to do to get your job.  But, remember, you have to go get it.  It won't be easy, because it seems that those of us who are willing to bust a move get punished for our efforts.  In the month of July, I took extra hours, and some of them were on the 4th.  Based on that month only, they yanked $150 off of my food stamps, which hurt, because I never make that much, and that was just to try to get ahead...  When I reported my new income, rather than go by August, they averaged it, and only gave back $38 in the food stamps...  Now that I lost a client, my hours are almost nothing, even with reporting, the change won't come to help until November, though I'll be short of cash in October...  Mind you, after 11 years as a CNA, and being in my 40's and not getting any younger, it's not easy to keep up with doing aid work these days.  But, I have to remain determined and set a good example for my son, not to give up, even if the odds are stacked against me.

This is why I decided to volunteer to opt in on this education thing.  I'll go to the meeting, and find out what is in store, before I commit to the program and make it a requirement.  But, I'm holding out hope that something good will come out of this.  I worked through my education process when I went for my CNA course as well as my HUC training, all while I still advocated for our abused children every little chance I could...  AND managed to spend one on one time with my son, AND with my hubby, along with getting family time in there, also.  Budget your time, draw a line where you have to, and reach for your goals, because there is no fairy God mother to wave her wand to give it all to you.  Life isn't always fair, and getting welfare doesn't always give you the hand up that you need, because sometimes it seems as if you are punished for being a go getter, and that puts more hurdles for us to overcome.  Find a way to get over that hump, even if it means taking  detour to go around it, crawl under it, or tunnel through it, or what ever you have to do.  No one else is going to do it for you.  Push ahead, full speed.