March 4, 2008 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) today awarded $3,075,064 to 16 Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) to provide employment-related supportive services to help cash assistance recipients obtain good-paying jobs and become self-sufficient. 

The funds will be used for employment-related supportive services such as automobile purchases and repairs, clothing allowances, and transportation allowances for Jobs, Education and Training Program (JET) participants.

"Michigan's rapidly transforming economy is driven by our determination to equip all job seekers with the education, skills training, and ancillary support they need to become financially independent," Granholm said. "These services play an important role in helping low income workers overcome barriers of getting and keeping a good job and becoming self-sufficient."

The JET Program replaces the Work First Program and is a partnership between DLEG (Bureau of Workforce Programs and Michigan Rehabilitation Services), the Michigan Department of Human Services, and the MWAs to help Michigan's families overcome barriers to work and connect them with the kind of job, education and training opportunities that will help them achieve self-sufficiency and meet the workforce and skill needs of Michigan's businesses.  The JET Program was designed to give the MWAs more flexibility in providing services to cash assistance participants.

Funding for the JET Program is provided by the State of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  A table is attached that provides the specific funding amounts for each MWA. To view an interactive map of the state's 25 Michigan Works! regions and the counties included in each region, go to http://www.michiganworks.org or www.michigan.gov/jet

DLEG is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Jobs, Education & Training Program Funding
Employment-Related Supportive Services
 Fiscal Year 2008

Michigan Works! Agency                                                                  ($)

Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren                                          80,000   

Capital Area Michigan Works!                                                         136,200

Career Alliance, Inc.                                                                         40,000

Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium                                         74,000

Detroit Workforce Development Department, A Michigan
Works! Agency                                                                            1,525,000

Michigan Works! The Job Force Board/Six County
Employment Alliance                                                                       17,500

Livingston County Michigan Works!                                                   50,000

Muskegon/Oceana Consortium                                                           9,000

Northeast Michigan Consortium                                                         41,500

Northwest Michigan Council of Governments                                       83,382

Ottawa County Michigan Works!/Community Action Agency                50,000

Michigan Works! Region 7B Employment and Training
Consortium                                                                                      65,299

Saginaw-Midland-Bay Michigan Works!                                             452,183

Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA)
Michigan Works!                                                                             370,000

Michigan Works! West Central                                                            9,000

Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!                                         22,000

Total                                                                                            3,075,064                  

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.