Agricultural & Foreign Labor Services November News and Highlights

Nearly 120 attendees received a free meal and played Mexican Bingo (Loteria) for prizes. The meal consisted of rice, beans, chicken and steak fajitas with tortilla chips and salsa courtesy of Acapulco Restaurant of Lawrence.

Thirty migrant farm workers employed at a nearby farm were bused to the event by their employer to participate in the festivities. The workers were thankful for the opportunity to attend and enjoyed the activities and the food. 

Director Beckhorn acknowledged the importance of the work the team does, day in and day out. She commended the staff for their continued work in assisting employers with posting job orders, facilitating recruitment, making referrals to available agricultural jobs, and for conducting in-person outreach to migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFWs) and farmers through the continuing pandemic.

“The great support the team provides to farmworkers and farmers is second to none,” said Beckhorn.

Acknowledgements From Our National Partners

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration were also in attendance during the AFLS Post Season Conference. National Monitor Advocate Laura Tramontana made a virtual appearance and Regional Monitor Advocate Ray Garcia made the trip from Chicago in what was his first in person visit to Michigan in nearly five years. Garcia had a positive impact on the three-day conference, he acknowledged the great work Michigan’s Agricultural Employment Liaisons (AELs) do in serving the MSFW population. 

He acknowledged LEO-WD Leadership and the State Monitor Advocate for their efforts in ensuring that the Monitor Advocate System in Michigan is fully functional through ensuring Michigan Works! Service Centers provide qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate employment services to MSFWs as provided to non-MSFWs. 

Garcia also outlined the importance of outreach, and how critical it is to reach as many farmworkers as possible while they're in the state. 

Garcia congratulated the state for a job well done, but said, “We’re not done. We have to be out there, where MSFWs, live, work and gather, and offer them all available resources, employment, training, support services and educational opportunities that exist.” 

Federal Project Officer, Patrick Campbell addressed the importance of working in collaboration with the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Grantee -Telamon Corporation in Michigan - to improve the lives MSFWs.

The National Farm Worker Jobs Program funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires participants to be co-enrolled in WIOA-funded programs.

Sarah Perry, Telamon Corporation’s Director of Workforce & Career Services presented on the success of the partnership between LEO-AFLS and Telamon. She shared success stories of MSFWs who were referred for Workforce & Career Services that have successfully led to skill gains, and improved job opportunities for the MSFWs.

Click on the links to learn more about WIOA and/or NFJP programs in Michigan.  

Michigan is Serious About Registered Apprenticeships

Scott Jedele, Administrative Manager for Apprenticeship Expansion, and Callan Eschenburg, Apprenticeship Expansion Specialist, shared how Registered Apprenticeships are providing new opportunities for job seekers to gain work skills and obtain certificates, licenses - and in some occupations degrees - through hands-on work.

They highlighted the five core elements of Registered Apprenticeships, and how non-registered programs may or may not have these following elements:

1. Employer Involvement (starts with a job)
2. Structured On-the-Job Learning (on-the-job training with experienced mentors)
3. Related Instruction
4. Rewards for Skill Gains (increased wages for skills gain)
5. National Occupational Credential (USDOL, National and Industry Recognized)

They also covered the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships and the work the State of Michigan is doing to promote apprenticeship expansion. Registered Apprenticeships support the Governor’s Sixty by 30 educational attainment goal of increasing the number of Michiganders with credentials by 2030, and they focus on helping underrepresented individuals, including: 

• Underrepresented Populations & Individuals with Disabilities
• Unemployed & Underemployed Individuals
• Veterans & Justice Involved Individuals
• Youth (16-24)

If you are interested in learning more about Registered Apprenticeships or taking the next step to develop or participate in a Registered Apprenticeship, go to Michigan.gov/Apprenticeship.

Unemployment Insurance Overview

Fonda Turner-Cavin, State Administrative Manager, and Shemin Blundell – Office Manager presented important information on Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) strategies, like integrity, accountability, continuous improvement initiative, and accountability. They also shared information on unemployment services to employers, claimants, and provided an overview of filing a claim, work search requirements, and understanding the difference between eligibility and qualification for unemployment benefits.

It was a tremendous learning opportunity to ensure the AFLS team can provide meaningful Unemployment Insurance assistance to MSFWs. Go to Michigan.gov/UIA for more information.

MDHHS Talks Vaccines, Staying Safe in the Fields

Our partners at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Migrant Affairs also joined the AFLS Post-Season Conference. Director Dale Freeman, Analyst Audra Fuentes, and Analyst Jo Estrada-Guerra provided valuable information about the progress with COVID-19 vaccination, as well as maintaining the health and wellness of farmers and MSFWs. 

Dale, Audra and Jo presented on a variety of topics including COVID Testing, Vaccination, and Monkey Pox. They also provided updates on the tremendous work completed by the nine Migrant Resource Councils (MRCs) across the state.

LEO’s AELs serve as members of the nine MRCs and work very closely with the many MSFW serving agencies within each of the MRCs. The MRCs host collaborative events throughout the peak agricultural season to ensure the multitude of MSFWs needs are met as they work hard to plant, cultivate, and harvest, the food that makes its way to America's dinner tables. 

Go to Michigan.gov/MDHHS for more information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), MPV (Monkeypox), or to learn more about the Office of Migrant Affairs.

The Office of Foreign Labor Services Shares Successes 

Analysts Jesus Centeno, Esmeralda Perez, Gustavo Juarez, and FLS Manager Ginger Vallejo from the Office of Foreign Labor Services had a chance to engage with the Agricultural Employment Services team, celebrate successes, and participate in program discussions. FLS Manager Ginger Vallejo presented a year-end program review, which included information on the growth of H-2A and H-2B programs in Michigan and shared updates on Temporary Foreign Labor Certification (TFLC) Program processes.

For the Fiscal Year 2022, the H-2A TFLC program grew by an astonishing 39.7%, and growth in the H-2B TFLC Program was 49.1%. The presentation also provided information on the increase in the variety of industries utilizing TFLC programs, and the impact the Office of Foreign Labor Services has in assisting Michigan's employers to fill temporary or seasonal labor needs.

For more information on H-2A and H-2B TFLC programs, please visit the LEO - Foreign Labor Services page.

"As we finish the Fiscal Year 2022 and enter Fiscal Year 2023, I would like to thank and acknowledge the OFLS Team for all their efforts to ensure the employer's needs are met and maintaining a positive mindset throughout our peak season," said Ginger Vallejo, FLS Manager. "Your dedication and actions in meeting Michigan employers' short-term labor needs have certainly paid off. Our office gets to celebrate another successful year because of you! Once again, thank you!!"

Employee Spotlight ...

Gustavo Juarez, Foreign Labor Services Analyst

Gustavo joined the Foreign Labor Services team as a Departmental Analyst in August 2020. Gustavo's family, originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, settled in Holland, Michigan.

In 2020, Gustavo married his college sweetheart Magally. They are currently proud dog parents to Popies and Nito, and they hope to expand their family with another two feet soon. Gustavo's education includes a Bachelor’s in science concentrating in Physiology and a Master’s in Public Health from Michigan State University (Go Green!). He credits his education success to the MSU CAMP Program and individuals like MSU Camp Program Manager Elias Lopez, MSU Recruiter Miguel Torres, and his mentor, Dr. Felipe Lopez-Sustaita. 

Gustavo's current job meets his goal of working in the Public Health Sector. He enjoys how working with the Office of Foreign Labor Services has shown him the meaning of teamwork, and appreciates each member's time to help him grow.

Gustavo enjoys the outdoors and is an avid camper. Thsi past summer, Gustavo started his health and fitness journey by becoming a runner. Alongside his supporter and running partner Jesus Flores, he has completed two races: Mackinaw Island Marathon and Playmakers Autumn Classic 10k.

The Agricultural and Foreign Labor Services Team is proud of Gustavo and happy he is part of our team.