DIRECTIVE	:	EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 04-01
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Administrator Office of Workforce Security
SUBJECT	:	2001 Annual Monitor Advocate Training Conference

1. Purpose. To inform State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of the Annual National Monitor Advocate Conference being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 11 - 15, 2001.

2. Reference. 20 CFR 653.108(e)

3. Background. The Annual Monitor Advocate Training Conference will be held in conjunction with the Midwest Association of Farmworkers Organization (MAFO), a National Partnership farmworker Conference. The Conference focuses on timely topics and information sharing essential to facilitate effective conduct of the responsibilities and functions of Monitor Advocates. The session will include updates on the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) implementation, WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act (W-PA) final regulations, W-PA planning process and the agriculture recruitment system. It will also provide participants an opportunity to establish ties to, strengthen partnerships, promote employment services with WIA National Farmworker Job Programs/167(NFJP/167) program operators, community-based organizations, and entities responsible for providing services to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs).

   The MAFO Conference sponsors a comprehensive agenda relating to farmworker issues that go beyond employment and training. For example, on Monday, opening day of the Conference, there are two plenary sessions which will have panels addressing national issues of concern in the areas of economic justice, employment, housing, economic development, leadership, health, immigration, youth initiatives, and other related protective laws.

   The MAFO Conference also provides an opportunity for the Department of Labor (DOL), State Employment Service staff and community-based organizations, to participate in dialogues that serve to shape the national policy that focuses on improving the quality of life for MSFWs.

4. Monitor Advocate Peer to Peer Technical Assistance Training and Presentations. The Monitor Advocate Program must reexamine how it fulfills its mandate, so that staff will be able to initiate the adaption of the new initiatives within their geographic area. To facilitate this, a special track has been established during the MAFO Conference for a Monitor Advocate Training session.

   On Sunday, March 11 through Thursday, March 15, the training will focus on Regional and State presentations on MSFW employment services within the One Stop Delivery System. The Regional Monitor Advocates in partnership with the State Monitor Advocates from their regions, will:

   • Present Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Trends (SWOT) analyses of the current State of employment service delivery for MSFWs.

   • Identify examples of "Effective Practice" and why these practices are considered effective in serving MSFWs through the current implementation of WIA. Following the individual presentations, a question and answer dialogue will take place that will emphasize constructive criticism and information.

   The purpose of this format is to strengthen the peer to peer technical assistance infrastructure of the Monitor Advocate Program, highlight methods for providing Local Office and State reviews of employment services, and enhance the capacity of Monitor Advocates to assist State and Local Offices, not only to better serve MSFWs, but all customers utilizing employment services in rural areas.

5. Participants. It is important that all Monitor Advocates participate in the Conference and training session. In addition to the new Regional and State Monitor Advocates, it is highly recommended that MSFW Significant Local Office Outreach staff, State Employment Service Directors, State Local Office Wagner-Peyser funded staff, and One Stop Service delivery staff that work and are interested in learning more about MSFWs customer service needs, also attend this Conference.

6. Accommodations. The Conference will be held at the Hilton Albuquerque at 1901 University Blvd., Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Conference rates through February 23, 2001,are the following: single $67.50; double $77.50; triple $87.50 and quad $97.50 plus taxes. To make reservations, please call 1-800-274-6835 or 1-505-884-2500, between 8:00am and 5:00pm Mountain Standard Time. Please identify yourself as an attendee of the MAFO 2001 Annual Conference.

7. Inquiries. Inquiries may be directed to the ETA Regional Monitor Advocates serving your State, Roberto Carmona, the National Monitor Advocate at (202) 693-2916 or Dorrie Russell at (202) 693-2781.

8. Attachments. Registration Form and the 2001 Conference Agenda.