District 3 Workers Newsletter

Dear Friend,

I am proud to serve the people of Wayne County every day in the Michigan Senate. Wayne County is a great place with incredible career opportunities. If reaching your goals means going back to school, learning new skills in your field, acing an interview, or starting a whole new career path, we have resources to help. I’ve put this newsletter together to make it easier to learn about available state and local programs, and to let you know what my colleagues and I have been doing to support working folks across the state.

When you call, email, or write a letter to my office, you are helping me better represent the issues you value. If you would like to share your ideas or if you need help with navigating our state government, you can contact my office. If you would like to be more informed about my work at the Capitol and in-district activities, please check out my website at SenatorSantana.com.

It’s an honor to continue to serve you in the legislature as your state senator. Lansing Office: (517) 373-0990 or toll-free at (855) DIST8003 (855-347-8003) Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov

Working for you,

Sylvia Santana
State Senator
3rd District

Website: SenatorSantana.com
Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-Free: (855) DIST003 (855-347-8003)

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COVID-19 RESOURCES

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Senate Democrats are working hard every day to ensure that when you are without work, you’ll still have the support you need to keep food on the dinner table. Whether it’s increasing the minimum wage, requiring earned paid sick time, or protecting employees from dishonest employers, we’re working for YOU. Here are some of the bills we’ve introduced to support workers who are on the job or looking for one:

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The Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works! Agency and the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation administer a variety of workforce programs and services. In partnership with employers, educators, economic developers, and community organizations, it seeks to create a qualified workforce that meets the current and future talent needs of the county’s businesses.

Services provided for job seekers include:

• Job Search Assistance
• Tuition Assistance for Education/Training
• Career Coaching
• Workshops – Interviewing, Resume Development, and Job Searches
• Job Fairs and Events

Services provided for employers include:

• Talent Recruitment
• Training Funds
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Candidate Pre-Screening
• Hiring and Training Support
• Employee Retention Programs

For Detroit residents, visit DESCMIWorks.com. For Dearborn and Melvindale residents, visit SEMCA.org for more information on any of these topics or to find an office near you.

CHANGING CAREERS? NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS?

TRY MICHIGAN RECONNECT!

The new Michigan Reconnect program provides eligible adults aged 25 or older with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate at their local, in-district community colleges or select private training schools.
Certifications and licenses often can be obtained in less than a year, and many skilled trades can be learned through apprenticeships or short-term training. Visit Michigan.gov/Reconnect to learn more.

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UNEMPLOYMENT 101

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) urges Michiganders to use Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) to file unemployment claims and to check the status of those claims. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, folks are experiencing longer wait times, but filing online remains the fastest way to apply for unemployment benefits.

TO FILE A CLAIM:
Go online to Michigan.gov/UIA to use the MiWAM portal, OR Call (866) 500-0017, select Option 1; TTY callers: 1-866-366-0004

TO SUBMIT A CLAIM, YOU WILL NEED YOUR:

• Social Security number
• Employment information from the past 18 months, including employer name and address, first/last day worked, and gross earnings
• Your address, phone number, date of birth
• Non-citizens registration and the expiration date of your work authorization card
• Driver’s license or state ID
• Your most recent employer’s UIA account number or Federal ID number, especially if you have not filed a claim within the last three years or have been employed for less than six months. (Your employer’s federal ID number can be found on your annual W-2 form and having this information may speed up the processing of your claim.)

WORK SEARCH REPORTING/GETTING PAID

In order to get paid, EVERY TWO WEEKS you must report (certify) that you are still unemployed by answering some questions.

Michigan also requires that you show proof you are actively searching for work while unemployed. A “work search activity” includes:

• Applying for jobs in person or online,
• Attending job fairs,
• Creating a profile or resume on a professional networking or job site, or
• Participating in online job search workshops or seminars.

A waiver of the work search requirement may be granted due to certain

COVID-19 related reasons.
The preferred method for reporting work search activities is online using your Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM) account, but you can also call (866) 638-3993.

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Business Resources

Entrepreneurship and/or owning a business has never been more challenging: Finding cash flow, hiring workers, paying taxes, social media, advertising, and COVID-19 all make running a business incredibly challenging. Fortunately, there is help through the state and Wayne County that can help you reach your next business milestone.

As a resident of Wayne County, you have a competitive advantage over many other businesses in Michigan and around the world. We have access to incredible talent, a great business environment, and the Great Lakes and Canada. The Wayne County Economic Development Department and the Michigan Economic Developmental Corporation are great assets for anyone running or starting a business in Wayne County. You can find access to business development opportunities, including funding, networking, and so much more.

Wayne County offers a variety of resources to help you take the next steps in developing your business and career. For more information, visit waynecounty.com/departments/econdev.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has access to startup help, incentives, and tax benefits that can help companies of all sizes. For more information, visit MichiganBusiness.org.

Childcare Resources

Access to quality childcare is fundamental for working people in Michigan. Good childcare shouldn’t require a full-time job to afford, but costs have been increasing nonetheless, making quality care unattainable for many.

If you’re not familiar with it already, the Great Start Readiness Program is the state-funded preschool program for more than 35,000 4-year-olds across Michigan and that helps parents who meet income eligibility requirements. Just last year, we passed the largest education investment in our state’s history, which included an additional $168.5 million for Great Start —setting the program on a historical path whereby the state will seek to ensure access to another 22,000 additional income-eligible children within the next three years.

If you are looking for resources on eligibility and access to the GSRP, visit Michigan.gov/GSRP or call the Great Start to Quality Resource Center at (877) 614-7328.

Having difficulty paying for childcare? You may be eligible for assistance through the MI Bridges program. Visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges to learn more.