DIRECTIVE	:	EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 04-99
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	JOHN R . BEVERLY, III Director United States Employment Service
SUBJECT	:	1999 Annual Monitor Advocate Training Conference

1. Purpose. To inform State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of the Annual National Monitor Advocate Conference being held in Atlanta, Georgia on February 28-March 4, 1999.

2. Reference. 20 CFR 653.108 (e)

3. Background. The Annual Monitor Advocate Conference will again be held in conjunction with the "MAFO-A National Partnership" farmworker conference. The Monitor Advocate Conference focuses on timely topics essential to the responsibilities and functions of Monitor Advocates. Sessions will include, updates on the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) implementation, WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act(WP) interim regulations, W-P planning process and the agriculture recruitment system. It will also provide the participants an opportunity to establish linkages, strengthen partnerships, promote employment services with 402 program operators, community-based organizations, and entities responsible for providing services to MSFWs.

   The MAFO conference sponsors a comprehensive agenda concerned with farmworker issues that go beyond employment and training. This diversity provides an excellent opportunity for getting the latest information about health, housing, immigration, youth initiatives, related protective laws and other related issues.

4. Federally Sponsored Registration. As part of the Welfare to Work Technical Assistance effort, DTI Associates, will sponsor 75 registrants for this conference on a first come first serve basis. The 75 sponsorships are for State Monitor Advocates and outreach workers only.

5. Unsung Hero Award. The "Unsung Hero Award" was initiated last year in an effort to recognize outstanding efforts by outreach staff in providing services to MSFWs. This year, we are suggesting that the following be considered in nominating individuals for this award. The factors to determine the nomination may include: efforts that go beyond normal day-to-day activities in doing their jobs to assist MSFWs, involvement in the community that demonstrates continued effectiveness and performance in working with MSFWs, working effectively with the employer community to create and obtain job opportunities for MFSWs, and efforts that produce outcomes beneficial to MSFWs and the community.

6. Action Required. SESA are requested to provide this correspondence to appropriate-staff and to:

   1. authorize the attendance of State Monitor Advocates and outreach staff to the 1999 National Monitor Advocate Training Conference;

   2. submit the attached Registration Forms) for those attending by faxing them to 703-299-4589 before February 1, 1999; and

   3. encourage the State Monitor Advocate and/or management staff to submit nominations for the "Unsung Hero Award" to their Regional Monitor Advocate by January 15, 1999.

7. Inquiries. Inquiries may be directed to the ETA Regional Monitor Advocate serving your State, or Rogelio Valdez, National Monitor Advocate at 202-219-5257, Ext. 167.

8. Attachments: 

   1. Registration Form

   2. 1999 Conference Agenda