TRAVERSE CITY - Grand Traverse/Leelanau County Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Mary Marois and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) Manager Brian Marcotte today showcased the expanded Jobs, Education and Training (JET) welfare reform program that will help Northwest Michigan families secure long-term employment and become self-sufficient.

Beginning in September 2004, a broad-based welfare reform work group developed a new approach to creating permanent work force status for DHS clients. JET grew out of this work group and pilot programs in Kent, Oakland, Sanilac and Wayne counties were included in the fiscal year 2006 DHS budget. A net savings of $16 million is forecast for fiscal year 2007. The program will cost approximately $40 million to implement, but is expected to result in $56 million in grant savings. Preliminary results in the four pilot locations show that caseloads are holding steady or slightly declining. In areas that did not offer JET, there was a 5 percent increase.

JET expanded to serve 19 counties into 2007 and will help Michigan meet new federal work participation requirements. The expansion includes the Northwest Michigan counties of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska and Manistee. The program is a cooperative venture between the departments of Human Services and Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan Works! Agencies and Michigan Rehabilitation Services.

"JET fundamentally changes the way we move families off welfare and toward self-sufficiency," DHS Director Marianne Udow said. "The program supports them in developing job skills and moving permanently to self-sufficiency."

JET is a win-win-win for Michigan. For welfare recipients, it's an opportunity to qualify for - and keep - good paying jobs. For Michigan's businesses, JET is supporting the workforce and skill needs they have today and for the future. For the state, it means more Michigan residents gaining their independence in good jobs and leaving the welfare roles and contributing to the tax base again.

"The JET initiative is just one example of Governor Jennifer Granholm's efforts to promote economic development and increase jobs to transform Michigan's economy," said Brian Marcotte, manager of DLEG's Bureau of Workforce Programs Welfare Reform Section. "Her economic plan has been set in motion and it's beginning to work to attract new businesses and diversify our economy. The governor is continually improving our business climate to make our state more attractive to businesses so they'll locate and expand and create jobs here."

The JET program:

• Uses a thorough up-front assessment and Family Self-Sufficiency Plan to tailor supports and services to the individual circumstances of recipient and family.
• Expands educational and training opportunities so clients gain the skills they need to get a good paying job in high-demand fields.
• Focuses career and technical training opportunities on jobs the Michigan economy has available (e.g., health care, construction).
• Provides supportive services when clients face serious barriers to work, with the goal of reducing and removing those barriers so clients can participate in work or work preparation.
• Provides advocacy and support for those who are making application for Supplemental Security Income.
• Extends post-employment support from 90 days to 180 days to help clients retain jobs and prepare a plan for advancement.

"The welfare reform plan will meet federal work participation requirements within the federal time frame, protect the safety net and help people become permanently attached to the labor force so they can move their families out of poverty," Udow said. "Self-sufficiency is better for families, and what is better for families is better for children."