Region 7 Partners
Under the Workforce Investment Act of
1998, Region 7 partners joined forces to create and operate a regional
workforce development center system. The goal of this system is to
provide better customer service, choice and opportunity by integrating
products and services.
The
Local Elected Officials and the Regional
Workforce Investment Board have the responsibility for the oversight
of the center system.
In addition to Iowa Workforce Development
and Hawkeye Community College Iow@Work, the Partners
include:
Hawkeye
Community College is a comprehensive community college with the
addition of arts and sciences to the curriculum. Hawkeye Community
College has graduated more than 30,000 credit students since July 1,
1966. In addition, we have had more than 725,000 registrations in
Continuing Education programs. The College is growing and expanding its
educational programs and services to people. Hawkeye supports and
cooperates with public school districts in promoting and conducting
continuing education programs, distance learning courses over the
Hawkeye Telecommunications System, and other classes and programs.
Visit their web site at http://www.hawkeyecollege.edu.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides vocational
rehabilitation services. The mission of the agency is to work for and
with individuals who have disabilities to achieve their employment,
independence, and economic goals. Rehabilitation services may include:
medical and psychological assessment; technological assessment; vocational
assessment; counseling and guidance; physical and/or mental restoration
services that may include therapy, wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.; special
adaptive equipment or devices; training for employment; occupational tools,
equipment or licenses; planning for self-employment; personal assistance;
supported employment; job coaching; job placement; follow-up after placement
to assist with worker and employer satisfaction. Services may also be
provided after employment to maintain the job. Visit their web site at
http://www.ivrs.iowa.gov/.
Black
Hawk Center for Independent Living is a non-profit, private,
non-residential program funded primarily by a federal grant, which
provides persons with disabilities and their significant others with
peer counseling, information and referral, independent living skills,
training, and systemic and individual advocacy. The Black Hawk
Center for Independent Living is managed by a board comprised of more
than 51% people with disabilities. Visit their website
at http://www.blackhawkcenter.org/
Proteus is a private non-profit corporation in the job training and job
placement business. Proteus is in business to assist low income
people, primarily farm workers, who want to help themselves find
permanent, self-supporting jobs. Visit their web site at
http://www.proteusinc.net.
American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonprofit membership
organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons
50 and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service,
we seek to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting
independence, dignity and purpose. Visit their web site at
http://www.aarp.org/states/ia/.
The
Iowa Department for the Blind is the means for persons who are
blind to obtain universal accessibility and full
participation as citizens in whatever roles they may choose. To
fulfill these commitments, the department functions in three main areas
essential to meeting the needs of blind Iowans: vocational
rehabilitation, independent living rehabilitation, and library, and
information services. The programs of the Iowa Department for the
Blind are based on the belief that the real problems of blindness do not
lie in the physical loss of eyesight but rather in the misconceptions
about blindness held so widely by the general public and by many blind
persons themselves. Visit their web site at
http://www.blind.state.ia.us/.
Iowa Northland Regional Housing
Authority offers two programs 1) Section 8: Housing Assistance
based on the household income, where the family will pay 30% (but no
more than 40% - initially) of their monthly adjusted income toward rent
and utilities, and 2) the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program: a
voluntary program offered to all Section 8 participants who wish to get
off welfare within five years of setting up an action plan with a
caseworker to identify barriers, establish goals, and set up escrow.
Check out services provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development at http://www.hud.gov.
For the directory of Iowa Public Housing
Authorities by county click here
http://www.hud.gov/local/des/desphpha.html.
Job
Corps provides residential,
academic, vocational training, social skills, employability skills, job
placement counseling and assistance, and follow-up for 12 months.
Job Corps services youth ages 16 - 24 with or without high school
diploma or G.E.D.
Visit their web site at
http://jobcorps.dol.gov/ .
A local contact person is located in the Iowa Workforce Development
office located at 3420 University Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa, or by calling
319-232-8240.
