MU Extension hires six new food stamps employment and training employees

COLUMBIA, Mo. - April 17, 2015 - PRLog -- The University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program Workforce Program employment and training team has hired the following six new employees:

Gloria Eddington, Kansas City

Tonya Raines, Springfield

Susan Ryan, St. Louis

June Wayne, Kansas City

Aldric Weeks, St. Louis

Karen Westfall, Springfield

The program helps food stamp recipients improve job opportunities to be less dependent on public assistance. The program takes referrals from four primary regions in the state – east central, central, west central and southwest.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and made available through Missouri’s Department of Social Services.

“I’m thrilled to have these amazing, qualified people come onboard,” said Mary Paulsell, director of the program. “Their unique backgrounds and experience are a great fit for the program, and I am confident they will make a significant impact in the community, helping qualified individuals secure good jobs and decrease the cost of publicly funded assistance programs. It’s a win-win-win for these workers, the Missouri companies that hire them and their communities.”

There are numerous myths about food stamps in our culture. And while there are very rare cases of abuse, the vast majority of individuals on food stamps would rather not have to rely on public assistance.

“As a result of the last decade of economic turmoil, many individuals who held good jobs found themselves displaced and unable to find work,” said Paulsell. “It’s not that they don’t want to work. They just can’t find good, family-supporting jobs, so many of these well-qualified workers have had to turn to public assistance.

“This program helps them reposition themselves for better opportunities and become self-sufficient once again.”

Food stamp recipients who volunteer for the program are referred to a case manager, who lead them through an assessment of abilities and skills. They discuss clients’ experience, educational background, training, volunteer experience, interest in entrepreneurship, personal situation and barriers to employment. These criteria are then used to develop an individual employment plan and steer the individual to career counseling, adult literacy programs, workforce training programs, community colleges, technical colleges and other programs and partner institutions.

About the BDP

The BDP works with Missouri companies to address diverse business issues, including workforce. From 2012 through 2014, the BDP and its companion programs assisted clients in creating $2.1 billion in economic impact, including creating or retaining more than 27,000 jobs, increasing sales by $666 million, acquiring investments of $661 million and winning government contracts of $800 million.

For more information on the Employment and Training program call 855-278-0354 or email METP@missouri.edu. For more information on how the BDP can assist you with workforce, international trade, finance, management and other small business management issues, visit www.missouribusiness.net to find the center nearest you.