Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande has received funding to award 15 grants to CCS providers who need to improve the safety of the children’s outdoor play area. Grants will focus on providing appropriate shade and fall zone materials to both centers and homes that have current CCS agreements.
Application deadline is August 16, 2010 and applications should be addressed to Vera Olivas, 1600 Brown St, El Paso Texas 79902. They may be sent via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail post marked on or before August 16, 2010. Applications will be evaluated based on the need for the playground improvement and may be further evaluated, if necessary, based on the number of CCS children in care (by facility type) as of August 16, 2010.

Download Playgound safety grant opportunity, oportunidad de beca para un area segura de juego exterior

Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande has received funding for the award of materials and supplies to assist providers to include infants and toddlers with disabilities in the daily routine of the childcare facility. All CCS providers who care for infants or toddlers identified as having a disability are eligible to apply for the award. Approximately 19 awards will be made. Application deadline is August 16, 2010 and applications should be addressed to Vera Olivas, 1600 Brown St, El Paso Texas 79902. They may be sent via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail post marked on or before August 16, 2010. Applications will be evaluated based on the enrollment of an infant and/or toddler identified as having a disability and the provider’s desire to better include the child in the activities of the center or home.

Download Infant/Toddler Inclusion Grant Opportunity, Oportunidad de beca de inclusion para infantes/toddlers

Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande has received funding for the award of materials and supplies to assist providers caring for children with disabilities ages three (3) and over. The purpose of the award is to provide appropriate materials to assist in including children with disabilities in the daily routine of the child care program. All CCS providers who care for children age three (3) and over identified as having a disability are eligible to apply for the award. Approximately 10 awards will be made, based upon the number of CCS children with disabilities in care, and in the case of a tie, the overall number of children with disabilities in care. Application deadline is August 16, 2010 and applications should be addressed to Vera Olivas, 1600 Brown St, El Paso Texas 79902. They may be sent via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  , or by mail post marked on or before August 16, 2010. Applications will be evaluated based on the enrollment of children age three (3) or over identified as having a disability and the provider’s desire to better include the child(ren) in the activities of the center or home.

Download Preschool-school age inclusion grant opportunity, pre-escolares a edad escolar

Veterans' Disabled Outreach Program (DVOP) and
Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (LVER)

This program is designed to ensure veterans receive priority for assisted services in workforce centers and all service delivery points at which employment service funds are utilized. Center staff is responsible for guaranteeing that veterans receive priority.

Services available to participants include job referrals, skills testing, job readiness workshops, and employment counseling.

Staff of the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program/Local Veterans Employment Representative (“DVOP”/”LVER”) provide specialized services. Participants must provide DD Form 214 to determine eligibility and priority status.

In 2008, 5782 customers enrolled were served.

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Project RIO Re-Integation of Offenders

This program’s goal is to reintegrate ex-offenders formerly sentenced to a state jail or correctional facility and youth formerly committed to a Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facility, into the labor force.

The program provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release. Eligible participants must have been released within the last 12 months, be under parole supervision, and qualified youth must be between the ages of 16-21.

Services provided include job referrals, job skills assessment, career planning, and GED assistance information.

In 2008, 877 participants were enrolled in the Upper Rio Grande region.

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TANF Non-Custodial Parent
Employment Demostration Project

This program aims to assist low-income, non-custodial parents who are either underemployed or unemployed, support their children through mandatory work assistance.  Parents must meet program eligibility requirements as well as participation measures.

Services include job referrals, limited vocational training, and career planning.

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MSFWs Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers

This program’s focus is to assist farm workers and their dependents in obtaining or retaining unsubsidized agricultural and non-agricultural employment through activity participation.

Qualified individuals must have performed labor as a seasonal farm worker, migrant farm worker, or migrant food processing worker. Program services include GED/ESL classes, career counseling, and job matching assistance.

In 2008, 597 customers in the Upper Rio Grande region were served.

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Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

This program is geared to provide reemployment assistance to workers who have lost their job due to rising imports or shifts in production to countries in which the United States has a free trade agreement. 

Individuals are required to show work eligibility documentation before program participation. Services provided include employment and education training, job referrals, and support services such as child care. The TAA program aims to meet 80 percent wage replacement. 

In 2008, 815 customers enrolled were served and more than $850,000 in grant money was provided.

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Rapid Response

The purpose of this program is to provide early intervention assistance to workers affected by a mass layoff or plant closure, in order to make the transition to their next employment as efficient as possible.

After Workforce Solutions obtains information about layoffs or a plant closure involving more than 50 workers, immediate on-site services are provided to assist with job losses. 

Program services include job search assistance, Labor Market Information, stress management seminars, and access to community resources. Eligible participants must register with workintexas.com

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Business Services Unit

The Business Services Unit’s goal is to assist employers in developing and maintaining a quality workforce. Employers indicate their hiring needs by placing job orders with the Business Services Unit staff.  Job orders include the required amounts of experience, education, and/or training, job location, and salary details. 

Staff members use the job matching system to match qualified job seekers with employer job orders.  Qualified job seekers are screened by staff and referred to the employer.

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Employment Services Unit

The Employment Services Unit focuses on providing universal employment and recruitment services by matching employers with qualified job seekers. 

Though services are actually provided by contracted employees, Workforce Developmental Board is responsible for planning, developing and overseeing Employment Services which are delivered through the Texas Workforce Centers and local TWC offices.  Anyone legally eligible to work in the United States may register for work and receive services through Employment Services.

Services provided include job referrals, pre-employment testing, and labor market information.

In 2008, 58,151 customers were served.

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Workforce Investment Act:  (WIA) ADULT

This program is intended to provide workforce investment activities to adults in need of gaining meaningful employment while becoming free of government financial assistance. 

Employment and training services such as testing and assessment, job referrals, job training, and support services are available to increase participant’s occupation skill attainment, employment retention, and wage earnings. Eligible participants are 18 years of age or older, authorized to work in the U.S., registered with Selective Service and meet low income requirements.

In 2008, more than $4.3 million in grant money was provided, and 1,437 customers were enrolled.

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Workforce Investment Act:  (WIA) Dislocated Worker

The Dislocated Worker Program aims to provide workforce investment activities that optimize participant’s employment retention, increase wage earnings, and upgrade occupational skill attainment. 

The program targets eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own or who have received an official layoff notice.

Services offered include job training, job referrals, transportation, and child care.

In 2008, more than $2.8 million in grants were allocated and 1,586 individuals participated.

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Workforce Investment Act: (WIA) Youth

This year-round program is designed to prepare youth to enter post-secondary education, training, or employment upon completion of their secondary education. This program can be a valuable instrument toward meeting future workforce demands.

Participants who meet eligibility standards may qualify for summer employment, vocational/occupational training, and comprehensive guidance counseling.

In 2008, nearly $5 million in grant money was provided and 1,856 customers were served.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training

This program is intended to provide individuals receiving food stamps with assistance in obtaining employment through participation in allowable activities in order reach sustained self-sufficiency.

Services available to SNAP E&T participants include job search assistance, job readiness classes, internet access, and non-vocational education training. Eligibility requirements are determined by the local Health and Human Services Commission.

In 2008, 1,436 participants were enrolled. More than $850,000 in grant money was allocated.

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TANF/CHOICES - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

This program is intended to assist families who are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in gaining employment while becoming self-sufficient through skills training activities.

 Eligible participants must be certified by the local Health and Human Services Commission and are required to provide proper documentation. Program services include job search, career counseling, and child care services.

In 2008, more than $4.3 million dollars in grant money was provided and 4,123 customers enrolled were served.

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 Child Care Services

The Workforce Developmental Board supports low-income families move toward self-sufficiency by providing child care subsidies to eligible parents during employment or skills training periods.  Eligibility is determined by parties who meet income and program participation guidelines.

The program uses a statewide automated system to manage client, services, vendor, provider and financial information.  Program services are also used to improve child care quality and to increase the availability of early childhood development programs including before and after school programs.

In 2008, 11,595 customers enrolled were served and more than $21 million in grant money was provided.

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