Heartland Workforce to implement new program

Florida's workforce development system, which includes Workforce Florida Inc., the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, and the state's 24 Regional Workforce Boards, is partnering with the Florida Department of Children and Families to launch a new program designed to bolster businesses and create jobs for as many as 25,000 Floridians who receive, or are eligible to receive, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) support.

This initiative is being funded by federal stimulus money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund. Florida can potentially receive up to $200 million - with no matching state funds required - for the Florida Back to Work initiative, which is designed to help pay for jobs for low-income families on a time-limited basis. Heartland Workforce, the regional workforce board serving Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties, will implement the program beginning immediately. The program will end on Sept. 30, 2010.

According to Roger Hood, president and CEO of Heartland Workforce, local employers from both public and private entities will be provided the opportunity to enter into contracts to cover nearly all of the salary costs for hiring new employees. The program may pay for up to 95 percent of the wages and benefits cost for each eligible employee. As an example, if an employee earns $12 an hour, the Florida Back to Work program may pay up to $11.40 and the business would contribute 60 cents.

The actual percentages paid per position will vary depending on benefit costs and types of employer contributions. Employers will need to contribute the in-kind cost of the employee's supervision and training and a cash contribution to cover the remaining 5 percent cost. Having such a significant portion of an employee's salary funded through this program can have a dramatic and positive impact on hundreds of Florida's struggling businesses.

Hood is hopeful the program will jump-start small local businesses. If the economy recovers, the participating businesses might be able to retain those they hire on a permanent basis.

For an individual to be considered eligible for hire under this program, the person's family income, within the previous 30-day period preceding hire, must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; they must have a child under age 18 (or 19 if in school full time) living in the home, or be a pregnant woman; they must be a United States citizen or qualified non-citizen; and the person and their child must reside in the tri-county region of Highlands, Hardee or DeSoto counties.

Participating employers will post all job openings on the Employ Florida Marketplace - employflorida.com, in coordination with Heartland Workforce. For more information, employers and job seekers may contact Heartland Workforce staff. In Sebring, contact Ann Martin at (863) 385-3672, Ext. 292. Lenora White can be reached in Wauchula at (863) 773-3474, Ext. 228 and in Arcadia at (863) 993-1008, Ext. 227.

Expanded tax credit available

Veterans are highly trained individuals who bring value to any employer because of their integrity, teamwork, and training. Their transition into the workforce also brings skills in a variety of areas.

Employers are encouraged to assist returning veterans by giving them good jobs based on their experience, and a newly expanded Federal Tax Credit is available for companies that hire our veterans. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program provides up to a $2,400 tax credit for any new or existing business that hires an eligible veteran.

Heartland Workforce One-Stop Career Centers provide services for connecting with and recruiting veterans. For more information, contact Howard Jenkins, local veterans employment representative, at 863-385-3672, Ext. 231.