$14.5 Million in Funding Awarded to Support Maricopa County Job Seeker Initiatives

Investments Enhance Opportunities for Individuals to Join and Advance in Local Workforce

March 2022

Job seekers in Maricopa County will benefit from more than $14.5 million in investments in job training, education, and placement programs thanks to a recent vote by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

The funding, part of Maricopa County’s $435 million allocation of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, is being awarded to qualified partner agencies that will deliver a wide variety of services to both job seekers and employers.

“Maricopa County is a great place to build a career and it’s why we’ve been ranked #1 for attracting skilled workers two years in a row,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. “This funding will make our economy even stronger by assisting folks who need additional skills or resources to secure and maintain a good-paying job. By partnering with local organizations with proven track records of success in job training and coaching, we’ll give individuals and families upward mobility and help in-demand industries get the skilled workers they need.”

“A primary goal of these workforce development programs is to ensure equitable recovery from the effects of the pandemic, “said Jacqueline Edwards, Director of Maricopa County’s Human Services Department which administers these funds. “Not only will the career coaching, programs, and services offered by our community partners empower individuals to attain new skills in their chosen career pathway and then obtain employment with livable wages, some specialty programs will address the unique needs of specialized populations as well as remove common barriers to employment, including childcare and transportation.”

Through a wide variety of community partners, the $14.5 million investment will help grow in-demand sectors of Arizona’s economy by strengthening the available, trained, and credentialled workforce for services needed in our community in areas such as construction, information technology, and healthcare. These efforts recently caught the attention of President Biden. At a Feb. 15 speech at the 2022 Legislative Conference of the National Association of Counties, the President highlighted Maricopa County’s use of the Rescue Plan funds to “help young workers develop in-demand technical skills” that will benefit our country’s economy for years to come.

Job Seeker Partner Agencies: $12,253,488

· Arouet Foundation, $273,908 for job placement, coaching, mentorship, transportation, and education assistance to hundreds of justice-involved women.

· Chicanos Por La Causa, $858,324 for career assistance to hundreds of low-income workforce members for education, transportation, certifications, and childcare.

· Greater Phoenix Chamber, $461,435 to connect thousands of job seekers with in-demand industries and companies through multiple hiring and career events.

· Habitat for Humanity, $480,000 to operate a recognized ‘Construction in Training’ apprenticeship program leading to long-term gainful employment in the construction industry.

· Home Builders Inc., $4,182,731 to establish and operate a Home Building Academy to encourage unemployed and underemployed persons to enter the construction industry.

· Maximus, $2,860,814 to provide extensive career navigation and support services including coaching and skill development, resource navigation, recruitment, and outreach to hundreds of low-income and otherwise disadvantaged job seekers.

· St. Joseph the Worker, $1,892,128 to provide its ‘Intensive Workforce Development and Case Management Program’ that provides workforce services to disadvantaged and at-risk persons to find quality employment.

· Televerde, $244,148 to expand its “Prepare, Achieve and Transform for Healthy Success” (PATHS) workforce program to assist hundreds of justice-involved women successfully re-enter the workforce and the community. The program operates across the Valley through partnerships with more than 90 government and private-sector employers.

· UMOM, $1,000,000 for training, education, job navigation, and workforce assistance services such as childcare and transportation to low-income and disproportionately-impacted persons for employment in high-demand industries including healthcare and social services.

Employer Services Initiative Partner Agencies: $2,275,248

· Banner Health Foundation, $1,238,837 to expand its ‘Career Pathways for essential Frontline Healthcare Workers’ program for entry-level healthcare staff that offers job shadowing and mentorships opportunities and support services such as transportation and childcare.

· St. Joseph the Worker, $376,441 to provide ‘Step-Up’ job placement and career development and retention services in the construction, healthcare, social services, manufacturing, and information technologies industries.

· Tech Talent South, $659,970 to provide information technology-focused Incumbent Worker Training to as many as 150 individuals.

This large investment in workforce development by Maricopa County is one of many in an overarching strategy to help families, individuals, and businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Maricopa County’s overall allocation and use of $435 million in federal relief ARPA funds are directed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in approved spending priorities that can be tracked on a public dashboard. Maricopa County residents can visit www.Maricopa.gov/Rescue to access assistance and resources.

About Maricopa County Human Services

As the fourth largest county in the nation home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Maricopa County’s population is large, growing and more diverse than ever. Maricopa County’s Human Services Department has five divisions that provide services and programs to people of all ages and abilities to promote their well-being. From offering early education to career training and employment services to case management for aging and disabled adults — the Human Services Department serves as a leader in the region to support strong families, neighborhoods, and community relationships. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to eligible Maricopa County residents at www.HSD.maricopa.gov.