SUBJECT:
GUARD AT HOME PROGRAM
DISCUSSION:
The Missouri Division of Workforce Development announced a new service offered at Missouri Career Centers. Governor Blunt signed House Bill 1787 creating the Guard at Home Program to help spouses of deployed Missouri Guard and Reserve troops. This program, funded through federal workforce funds, provides services to the families of veterans to address their immediate needs by assisting with employment opportunities to help keep the family from falling into poverty while the primary income earner is on active duty deployment.
The spouse of an active duty National Guard or Reserve component member qualifies for the program if:- the primary income earner was called to active duty in defense of the United States for a period of more than four months; and
- the family is experiencing significant hardship due to financial burdens and has no outside resources available to assist with such hardships.
A returning National Guard or Reservist who needs assistance with finding work in situations where an individual needs to rebuild business clientele or where an individual's job has been eliminated while such individual was deployed may also qualify for the program.
BENEFITS:
Some of the benefits of the services may include:
- help paying daycare costs to pursue training and/or employment;
- help covering the costs of transportation to training and/or employment;
- vocational evaluation and counseling to help the individual choose a viable employment goal;
- vocational training to acquire or upgrade skills needed to be marketable in the workforce;
- paid internships and subsidized employment to train on the job;
- job placement assistance; and
- financial assistance to families facing financial crisis from overdue bills due to reduced income after the deployment of a spouse.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: Aside from regular WIA documentation, the following information is required:
- an Applicant Statement
(attached) attesting to his/her relationship with the active service member; - a copy of the active duty member's orders showing period of duty of more than four months;
- a copy of the spouse's military ID; and
- returning Guard or Reserve members need a copy of their DD-214, Member 4 or a copy of their separation orders.
SERVICE AVAILABILITY: Services are available in the Central, Ozark, Kansas City area, West Central, Southwest, Southeast, and the St. Louis County workforce regions. For a map of Missouri's Workforce Regions or for more information about the program, go to www.ded.mo.gov/wfd.
Attached to this memorandum is a copy of a flyer for the Guard at Home Program . Post this flyer in the reception area and areas where individuals are seen. Upon request, provide a copy of the attached Applicant Statement. Inform the individual to take the Applicant Statement to the Missouri Career Center servicing their area.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Post the flyer in the reception area and areas where clientele are seen.
- Upon request, provide a copy of the Applicant Statement and inform the individual to complete and take it to the Missouri Career Center servicing his/her area.
BJK