More than a dozen state and federal employment and training programs have joined together to meet the workforce needs of eastern Kentucky's employers and job seekers through the JobSight network of workforce centers. The partners in the JobSight network include:

Dislocated Workers Program (WIA)

The Dislocated Workers Program funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) can provide career counseling, tuition, required books, fees, commuting assistance, meals, child care, and other approved expenses for classroom training of up to two years to help workers who have lost a job prepare to re-enter the workforce. In general, Dislocated Worker services are available to any eastern Kentucky resident who:

• Has been terminated or laid off from employment, or has received notification of an upcoming termination or layoff.
AND
• Is unlikely to return to work in his/her previous industry or occupation.

Youth Program (WIA)

The Youth Program funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides a broad range of coordinated services to young people between the ages of 16 and 21. These services include opportunities for assistance with academic or job-related learning. developing leadership skills, preparing for further education, and eventual employment.

Youth services are available to low-income young people who meet any one of these requirements:

• Requires help to complete an educational program.
• Requires help to secure and hold employment.
• School dropout
• A runaway
• A foster child
• Pregnant or parenting
• An offender (legal)
• Deficient in basic literacy skills

Services are also available to some young people who do not meet the low-income requirement, if they qualify in one of the categories above and have other barriers.

Adult Program (WIA)

The Adult Program funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides assistance to eastern Kentuckians ages 21 and above who are unemployed or under-employed. If these adults require training to get a job or improve their job, the program can provide tuition, required books, fees, commuting assistance, meals, child care, and other approved expenses for classroom training of up to two years. Career counseling is also available.

Employment Services (OET)

The Employment Services funded by the federal Wagner-Peyser Act assist all job seekers in obtaining suitable work. Employment Services provide:

• Referral and placement of qualified job seekers to employers.
• Labor market information.
• Aptitude testing.
• Career interest testing.
• Career counseling.
• Resume preparation assistance.

Adult Education & Literacy (KAE)

Kentucky Adult Education programs provide assistance with adult literacy and basic education as well as preparation for the GED test to adults 18 and older who do not have a high school diploma. Kentucky Adult Education programs also provide:

• Workplace skills tutoring in specific academic areas, as needed
• Technical college entrance testing
• Remediation
• JAG
• Family literacy courses
• Life skills training
• Employability skills training.

Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

The Vocational Rehabilitation program funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1978 provides a range of rehabilitation services for individuals of employable age with disabilities. These services improve these individuals' opportunities for employment, independence, and productivity in the workplace, while providing a community to assist them into employment. Specific Vocational Rehabilitation services include:

• Vocational guidance.
• Counseling.
• Assessment.
• Job placement.
• Assistive technology.
• Supported employment.
• Job coaching.
• Training.
• Physical and mental restoration services.

Veterans (OET)

In the JobSight network, Veterans Employment Services are provided through the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET).

Older Workers

The Older Workers program (Senior Community Service Employment Program) funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 provides short-term training and supportive services for low-income adults, age 55 and older, to facilitate their employment and economic independence.

In the JobSight network, older workers services are provided by three different agencies, each of which serves a portion of the JobSight service area. For more information on Older Workers programs and what they can do for you, contact:

• Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb, Inc.) serves 12 counties (Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, and Wolfe) in the EKCEP Workforce Investment Area. Call 606-464-3675.
• Big Sandy Area Community Action Program, Inc. serves nine counties (Floyd, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin, Elliott, Rowan, Letcher, Lawrence, and Pike). Call 606-789-3641.
• Kentucky River Area Development District (KRADD), Inc. serves Perry and Pike counties. Call 606-436-3158.

Job Corps (website)

Job Corps provides residential and non-residential vocational and educational training programs for young adults between the ages of 16 and 24. Job Corps programs emphasize career development and include advanced training and job placement, as well as life skills and social skills. Students can earn a high school diploma or GED, as well as specific vocational training.

In the JobSight network, Job Corps services are provided by the three Job Corps centers in the EKCEP Workforce Investment Area. These centers are:

• Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center
478 Meadows Branch
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Phone: 606-886-1037

• Frenchburg Job Corps Center
HCR 68, Box 2170
Mariba, KY 40322
Phone: 606-768-3080

• Pine Knot Job Corps Center
132 Job Corps Road
Pine Knot, KY 42635
Phone: 606-354-2176

Trade Act (NAFTA/TAA) Services (EKCEP, OET)

The federal Trade Act provides training and re-employment services for dislocated workers whose jobs move to foreign countries. In the JobSight network, many of these services are provided by Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP). Additional services are provided through the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET).

Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Services

Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) programs provide outreach and support services for those at or below federal poverty guidlines, with special emphasis on reaching families with elderly, children, or disabled members. CSBG programs provide information and referrals to area residents about services available within the county. These programs also:

• Operate special program projects.
• Participate in fund raising projects.
• Provide emergency services.
• Provide education scholarships.
• Coordinate services among other providers.
• Provide funds for direct services and programs that directly and indirectly address the needs of low-income and elderly that are not being met by other organizations.

CSBG programs and objectives are developed with direct input from the low-income population through a needs assessment conducted in the service area.

In the JobSight service area, CSBG services are provided by nine different community action agencies. In this list, these community action agencies appear first in each individual county listing. For more information on CSBG services, contact the community action agency which serves your county.

Unemployment Insurance (OET)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary benefits to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are able and available to accept offered employment. The program provides unemployment insurance benefits and case management to assist claimants to become re-employed, and assists with employment-related needs.

Employers pay for unemployment insurance through payroll taxes. In return, unemployment insurance helps employers keep valuable, trained workers in their area until they are able to rehire them. Every dollar employers pay in state unemployment tax is used to pay workers' benefits, and those dollars are spent to purchase goods and services. Those taxes are recycled back into local economies, which helps families and businesses alike overcome the effects of hard times.

Postsecondary Vocational Education (KCTCS)

In the JobSight network, Postsecondary Vocational Education services are provided through the institutions of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS).