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Services for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers

US Department of Labor Federal Regulations require that States ensure that the services provided to Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFWs) are qualitatively equivalent and quantitatively proportionate to the services provided to non-MSFWs. States are required to deliver all workforce development related services, benefits and protections, career guidance/counseling, testing, job development, job training and job referral services to MSFWs on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis.

Equitable services are measured in the following service areas:

• Referred to Employment (referred to jobs through self-referrals using the JobNet system or staff assisted referrals)
• Referred to Supported Services, offered by other service agencies and/or community based organizations (e.g. food stamps, medicare, medicaid, Wisconsin Technical College Systems, UMOS, etc.)
• Received Staff Assisted Services (e.g. training, job seeking skills workshops, etc.)
• Received Career Guidance (e.g. counseling, assistance with career options, etc.)
• Received Job Development Services (e.g. employment opportunities where no job order exists)

Those regulations also require for States to administer and implement an MSFWs Outreach Program to contact Migrant Farm workers who are not being reached by normal intake activities conducted by local offices. Local Outreach staff contact MSFWs in their living, working or gathering areas to explain the services available from Job Service and other partner agencies in our Job Centers, as well as, provide them with information on the Job Service Complaint System, Farm worker Rights and on services provided by Community Based Organizations.

Currently four MSFWs Outreach Specialists (bilingual in English/Spanish) provide these services in job centers throughout our State.

These regulations also provide for the Job Service to operate and maintain the nationwide Job Service Complaint System for filing and processing customer complaints related to alleged violations of State and/or Federal employment related laws.

Job Service Complaint Specialists can be contacted at job centers throughout the State.

The Monitor Advocate Program was also established by these regulations at the DOL National Office, DOL Regional offices and State levels to monitor above programs to ensure compliance with the regulations. The State Monitor Advocate also provides training and technical assistance to local office staff on these MSFWs programs and services.

For more information on MSFWs, please see the US Department of Labor MSFWs website.