12/18/2009
Arbor Sponsors the Mega Job Expo in Maryland
12/07/2009
ResCare – New Deal in the UK
12/01/2009
2nd Arbor E&T Bake Sale raises $500 for SHARE
11/25/2009
Notification of Breach of Private Information
11/23/2009
Mon Valley Bridge Open House
11/20/2009
SuperJobs Seasonal Hiring
11/18/2009
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2009, Allen County
11/16/2009
Arbor Welcomes New Texas Regional Vice President
11/06/2009
A moment to honor our veterans
10/22/2009
Arbor Fights the Flu
10/16/2009
ResCare Comments on Indiana Governor’s Announcement
10/07/2009
In the News: Arbor and Green Guide Network
10/01/2009
Tremendous Project in Cincinnati
9/28/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Five
9/22/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Four
9/15/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Three
9/15/2009
Arbor Sponsors Literacy Gala
9/08/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview Two
9/01/2009
Five Project Directors: Interview One
8/26/2009
Snohomish County Enlarges Dislocated Worker Program
8/20/2009
Pennsylvania Governor Visits Harrisburg Summer Youth Program
8/18/2009
Canoga Park Job and Resource Fair
8/13/2009
VIPs in SuperJobs Cincy
8/12/2009
U.S. Department of Labor’s 2009 United We Serve Initiative Begins
7/28/2009
An Innovative Summer Youth Project in Oregon
7/21/2009
Tulsa iJobs Program in Full Swing
7/20/2009
ARRA 2009
7/17/2009
Green Strategies Workgroup
7/15/2009
Green Jobs
7/6/2009
Arbor TANF Partnership in Nebraska Receiving Positive Feedback
7/1/2009
Arbor E&T is Thinking Green
ARRA 2009
By Jamie M. Barnes
Enacted in February, ARRA, or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is designed to stimulate the economy by providing funds for infrastructure improvements and additions, job training, and other projects that directly affect communities' economic well being. The ARRA plan allocates billions of federal dollars to several different agencies and programs, and it defines the rules for spending them. While this article does not explain the entire ARRA plan, it does illustrate ResCare's use of ARRA funds to assist communities.
ARRA provides money to agencies, such as the Department of Defense, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health to assist with research, program funding, education and repairs, and retrofits or construction, among others. These monies are spent directly and indirectly to "stimulate" the economy, creating jobs and providing training for workers. The logic of the program is that, if the agencies/states have money to repair roads, pay for workforce training and update information systems, they will create new jobs and train workers to build the roads or repair the bridges. The addition or improvement of roads, for example, creates jobs for construction workers, architects, and surveyors to name a few. Those workers, hired from the local community, have more money to spend in local establishments. The local establishments, now busier, hire more staff to meet customer demands, creating even more jobs. The new road may also cause an increase in traffic through the area, which creates more demand for automotive services and fuel. It is in this way that ARRA money stimulates economy, creating a cycle of demand with infrastructure projects.
Within that cycle, ResCare is taking an active role by preparing skilled workers to staff all parts of the ARRA-funded cycle of demand. Our local staff builds strong partnerships with local communities by listening to their needs and providing solutions. All One-Stop Centers receive federal funding through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and ARRA funding stipulations changed some of the eligibility criteria to allow a larger demographic to participate in the WIA programs. The WIA program is designed to remove barriers to employment, and will only fund participants' training in high-growth, sustainable occupations. One example of ARRA changes is that the WIA Youth Program increased its upper age limit from 21 to 24 years old, allowing more young people to access training and services. There is also a provision for staff funding to implement the expanded program. WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs are also receiving additional funding for job readiness and career training.
ResCare customers have access to additional job readiness and training programs that are receiving ARRA funds. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps Education and Training, is receiving nearly $20 B, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) is receiving $40 B to extend benefits and provide training. Both of these programs require participation in job readiness and job search activities. Because of the increased number of SNAP and UI customers and the need for more one-on-one help, ARRA funding is creating jobs for more Employment Services personnel to assist these program customers with job readiness and job search. The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program is receiving supplemental ARRA funds for job readiness, employment and child care in 17 states including Arizona ($23 M), Florida ($60 M), and Texas ($52 M).
ResCare is celebrating success in many communities nationwide, as our program participants complete their training in high-growth occupations and join the workforce in positions created through the economic stimulus plan. For more information about ARRA and its benefits, visit the official website, www.recovery.gov, the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration at www.doleta.gov/recovery/, or do a keyword search at the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov.
