(Jackson, Miss.) – Mississippians have a new pathway to achieve their career goals through a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and Mississippi community colleges.

The SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) Program, Skills2Work, was designed to assist eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) E&T recipients by providing potential tuition assistance and other support services for Adult Basic Education, Career/Technical pathways and/or Workforce Skills Training programs.

“I’m proud to announce this partnership between our administration and Mississippi community colleges to provide a hand-up to those looking to take care of themselves and their families,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Community colleges have their fingers on the pulse and know the needs and jobs of the local community. By equipping more of our workforce with the skills needed to succeed for the jobs that are available, we can help Mississippians compete and their communities grow.”

Training is available through Hinds Community College and East Mississippi Community College. Programs of study include Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technology, Phlebotomy, Medical Coding, Manufacturing Skills Basic, Welding, Commercial Driver’s License, Welding and much more.

“We’re proud to offer programs like Skills2Work to give Mississippians an opportunity to transition from crisis to stability and, ultimately, to sustainability,” MDHS Executive Director Bob Anderson said. “By partnering with Mississippi community colleges, we’re able to provide academic and vocational training that will make recipients desirable to employers statewide. The best part is the greatest expense is the students’ time and motivation.”

The Division of Workforce Development and Partnership Management within MDHS has established Skills2Work partnerships with the following Mississippi community colleges to provide E&T services to qualified SNAP recipients:

· Hinds Community College (HCC) offers career and technical programs, workforce skills training programs, adult education and smart start classes. E&T participants in need are

directed to HCC’s Single Stop. Single Stop takes a holistic approach by connecting students and immediate family members to public benefits, local resources, and wrap-around services to eliminate barriers. HCC may also provide E&T participants additional barrier mitigation such as childcare, transportation, and tuition and fees. For more information, contact Mitzi Thomas and Kimberly Tyler at 601-857-3910 or at mitzi.thomas@hindscc.edu and kimberly.tyler@hindscc.edu, or go to https://www.hindscc.edu/skills-work.

· East MS Community College (EMCC) offers Workforce Training programs, Career and Technical Education programs, the MS Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model and Adult Education classes. EMCC is a Workforce Investment Network One-Stop Operator, connecting job seekers with comprehensive employment resources and support services to help participants attain and maintain gainful employment. EMCC may provide E&T participants that reside in Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Noxubee, and Kemper counties with allowable support service assistance to aid in barrier mitigation to include, but not limited to, services such as transportation, books and training materials, and clothing for job interviews. For more information, contact Shacarla Petty at 662-243-1930 swhite@eastms.edu or go to http://www.eastms.edu/programs/workforce/index.html.

“The Skills 2 Work Program gives opportunity and support to those who want a fresh, new start,” said Robin Ann Parker, District Dean of Community and Economic Development for Hinds Community College. “This program not only provides resources for essential career training, but it also provides wraparound supportive services to students to ensure success in training,”

To learn more about the Skills2Work (E&T) program and apply through MDHS, go to https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/workforce-development/.

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Residents have been without water since July 2019

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) was awarded a $63,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services to provide a new water well for citizens in Schlater, Mississippi in rural Leflore County.

The well was lost due to the historic flooding last year, and residents have been without water since July 2019. Due to the lack of running water, the families are facing indescribable challenges to sanitation, safe housing, and health and safety.

“It’s hard to imagine communities being without basic necessities, especially during the pandemic we’re facing,” said MDHS Executive Director Robert G. “Bob” Anderson. “Hygiene is critical for the health and welfare of everyone right now.”

Families refused to relocate due to the lack of resources and their desire to remain on family land. Local community action agency, Central Mississippi, Inc. (CMI), and the local fire department provided thousands of gallons of water and bottled water to residents to offer some relief, however, families had to heat this water to bathe and wash dishes, and must pour water into toilets to flush them.

MDHS was contacted by CMI to inquire about possible funding.  The MDHS Division of Community Services applied for Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental funds being offered through DHHS.  Funding was approved, however, MDHS had to apply for a special one-time waiver to use the funds for this particular purpose.  MDHS received approval of the waiver this week and will proceed with the project.

MDHS and CMI will offer case management services to the families to address other issues they face such as employment, education, and housing, and to provide referrals to other local and state resources such as SNAP, TANF, Head Start, Aging services, Transportation, etc.

“It brings tremendous pride when you’re able to help entire communities recover from times of hardship,” Anderson said. “This is a prime example of providing tangible assistance today to create a lasting hope for tomorrow.”

For more information on the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the services they provide, go to https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/.

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“Offering Mississippian young and old tangible help today to create a lasting hope for tomorrow.”

(Jackson, Miss.) – The holiday season will be a little bit brighter for thousands of aging Mississippians thanks to a program offered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

The Home Delivered Meals program (HDM), made possible by the Older Americans Act of 1965, provides eligible homebound, functionally impaired persons, particularly those in greatest economic and social need, five nutritious meals per week. Through the program, 125,000 meals are delivered each month to 7,073 homes across the state.

The meals are delivered by drivers with Trio Food Services, who develop relationships with the beneficiaries and are therefore an invaluable asset, according to Mark Williamson, Director of the MDHS Division of Aging and Adult Services. “The Drivers get to know the recipients, and in turn the recipients get to know and trust them,” he said. “This enables drivers to identify if something is wrong with the recipients and report that, which is a very valuable resource for us.”

MDHS Executive Director Christopher Freeze said providing services such as Home Delivered Meals to our aging population is not only valuable, but the right thing to do.

“Many of the individuals on this program aren’t able to take care of themselves like they used to, and many may not otherwise know where their next meal would come from,” Freeze said. “Our aging population spent their lives taking care of us. Now it’s time for us to take care of them.”

For more information and to apply for the Home Delivered Meals program, visit https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/adults-seniors/services-for-seniors/.

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