Shutdown Could Hit Woodbury Job-Seekers, Families of Disabled

Washington County WorkForce Centers could lose employees, families of people with disabilities could lose a $248 monthly grant money, and programs providing mentoring and basic life skills could be cut if there isn’t a state budget agreement reached within 30 days.

The Washington County Board voted Tuesday to issue 30-day notices of contract cancellation to East Suburban Resources—which provides some WorkForce Center staff—and Human Services, Inc., which provides mentoring and other services. The board also opted to send letters to families of the disabled warning them that their August grant money might not be coming.

“The county administers state policy and state programs,” said Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel. “Essentially they ended those programs when they ended funding to them.”

The resource rooms in Washington County WorkForce Centers have already been closed due to the shutdown, said Robert Crawford, WorkForce Center division manager.

About 27,000 people used the resource rooms in Washington County’s three WorkForce Centers last year to access the state’s job database, work on their résumés and try to find employment.

“That’s the only major impact at this point,” Crawford said Tuesday, noting that workshops and case-management functions are still in place.

But following the move by the county board, if the shutdown lasts 30 more days, the WorkForce Center would have to cancel a contract with East Suburban Resources for four employees who help with job matches, training and other assistance for job seekers, Crawford said.

“We’re hoping they settle quickly,” Crawford said. “But for now, we’re trying to do the best we can with what we have.”

Community Services Director Dan Papin told the Washington County Board on Tuesday that he was disappointed and frustrated to have to request that they issue the cancellation notices and letters to families.

“While these services may not be deemed critical to the life and safety of individuals, they do add considerable value to the lives of people,” Papin said. “Without the promise of reimbursement once the state shutdown ends, we feel the county has no choice, and the financial risk to the county is considerable.”

The East Suburban Resources contract is $31,000 per year, and the Human Services, Inc., (HSI) contract is  $43,000 per year, Papin said.

HSI services such as mentoring, basic living skills, outreach and in-home services to families wouldn’t be funded, he said.

One example of a service that would be cut: HSI sends out mental health practitioners to help adults who have a mental illness learn skills they need to live alone such as preparing meals or keeping a job or finding a way to get to their medical appointments, said HSI CEO Mark Kuppe.

Kuppe said he could be forced to furlough or lay off an employee if HSI lost the contract.

Also on Tuesday, the county board also opted not to fund the $248 monthly grant that goes to families who have a member with developmental disabilities. The county distributes $20,000 per month for the program, and is typically reimbursed by the state, Papin said.

Commissioner Kriesel, who represents Stillwater, said the county can’t be an “enabler” to dysfunction at the state level.

Commissioner Lisa Weik, who represents much of Woodbury, was the lone vote against sending out the 30-day notices, saying that the county is mandated to provide the affected services. She also said she sees the dislocated-worker program as critical with so many people unemployed.

At the workforce center, some of the impacts of the shutdown weren’t felt over the long Fourth of July weekend, Crawford said, but he expects a “domino effect” if a budget deal isn’t quickly reached. Those without jobs will be even more wary of spending and the retail sector could be affected, he said.

“People are going to be very, very cautious,” Crawford said.

The WorkForce Center in Woodbury is located in the county along Radio Drive near the city’s .