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Good afternoon,
Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in accordance with the WIOA Sections 102(c)(3) and 20 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 376.130, 34 CFR 361.135, and 34 CFR 463.135, the State of Michigan is providing an opportunity for public comment on, and input into, the 2022 Michigan mid-cycle modification performance levels of the 2020-2023 Unified State Plan.
Michigan submits a Unified State Plan. The plan and two-year mid-cycle modification must meet the requirements described in the WIOA and other published federal guidance. The plan outlines the strategy for the following:
Mid-cycle modifications are required at the end of the first two-year period of any four-year Unified State Plan. Modifications shall reflect changes in labor market and economic conditions, or in other factors affecting the implementation of the Unified State Plan, including proposed performance levels.
The 2022 Michigan Unified State Plan mid-cycle modification was submitted for final approval to the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the United States Department of Education on March 2, 2022. However, all performance levels for Program Years 2022 and 2023 for WIOA Titles I-IV were not available at the time of the initial posting of the draft mid-cycle modification for public comment in January of 2022. These levels are now available and must be posted for public comment and review. This notification satisfies the requirement of a public comment and review period.
The Unified State Plan performance levels are posted on the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development Data and Public Notices website HERE under State Plans and Required Reports until 5:00 p.m. on April 27, 2022. All comments regarding the proposed performance levels should be submitted to:
Voni Booyinga, WIOA Departmental Specialist
State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
201 North Washington Square, 4th Floor
Lansing, Michigan 48913
booyingav@michigan.gov
In an effort to make this as inclusive of a process as possible, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity respectfully requests you share the availability of this public comment opportunity with key stakeholders in your local area including, but not limited to, chief local elected officials, local workforce board members, One-Stop partners, service providers, other community and faith-based organizations that are part of your referral network, and employers.
To ensure your comments are considered, they must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 27, 2022.
Ray learned about a positive work ethic from his father. He grew up in Canada and he started working at age 11 delivering papers every day at 5:30 AM. By age 19, he opted to join the Navy, where he trained to be a mechanic. He was responsible for maintaining submarines for almost 7 years, until he had a service-related injury and had to leave the military.
After leaving the military, Ray worked for the Navy as a Recruiter (one of the top 5 recruiters in the state of Michigan). He had an emergency back surgery in 1995 and opted to return to college. In 1999 Ray was hit by drunk driver. He underwent another back surgery that resulted in additional back and neck issues. Ray decided to leave college to find long-term employment. He worked in various sales positions, where he was consistently recognized for his skills. Although Ray excelled in these types of jobs, he decided to do something different. He started buying and “flipping” houses. As per Ray’s “MO (modus operandi), he was successful in this endeavor for the next 20 years.
Eventually, Ray purchased 80 acres to create a deer habitat. While creating the habitat and working with local government to educate and change hunting laws about shooting young deer, he met McCallum (of McCallum's Orchard), who taught Ray about planting and managing orchards.
Ray purchased the McCallum's Orchard & Cider Mill on March 9th, 2017. The farm required renovation and upkeep. After the first year, Ray was able to double the sales. Since that time, Ray has turned the farm/orchard into a successful business; he sells cider and doughnuts, Apples, cherries, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, as well as other vegetables. However, Ray continued to struggle with the physical requirements of the job. Ray attended a Fruit and Berry conference in Grand Rapids, where he learned of easterseals Michigan AgrAbility and their staff told him about MRS Farm Rehabilitation Services.
Ray came to the MRS Port Huron Office (Eastern District) in 2021 to request assistance with obtaining worksite accommodations. He is a Veteran, with a history of Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Spondylosis with Myelopathy in his cervical spine. These disabilities have resulted in limitations such as standing or walking for long periods, bending, squatting, crawling, kneeling, pulling, pushing, climbing, and reaching. He uses a wheelchair and other mobility devices when necessary.
Ray is an owner and operator of McCallum's Orchard & Cider Mill. He not only runs the business, but he participates in all the duties at the orchard, such as maintaining the trees, harvesting various fruits and vegetables, and managing the store. Due to his physical conditions, he required various equipment to maintain his employment.
MRS referred Ray to Foresight Services for an Agricultural Assistive Technology Evaluation. While waiting for the results, Ray was referred to the local Center for Independent Living for Advocacy services and to connect with other community resources. Not only was he dealing with physical limitations, but he also had other issues that needed to be addressed.
The Agricultural Assistive Technology Evaluation report recommended that Ray obtain several pieces of equipment that would allow him to continue working on the farm. These included: a Powerlift Step, which lifts him up to the tractor operator’s station without climbing; Hitching Aids to enable him to connect sprayers, tillers, mowers, and other required implements without putting strain on his grip and endurance; Back Support Spring, which supports his torso when he must bend and lean forward; Electric Power Pruners, which are pruning shears that are activated with a trigger and/or button, rather than putting grip strain on his hands; Material Handling Aids, including rolling ladders, a sit/stand stool (to reduce fatigue), and a lift table cart that raises and lowers heavy loads and can be rolled from place to another; Sprayer accessories which allow Ray to add chemicals and control water flow without climbing; an Outdoor Mobility Cart to carry small loads to reduce walking and lifting that is necessary for Ray to access his farmstead; Electric Power Pallet Jack, which allows Ray to move heavy pallets of materials, produce, and supplies around the farm market without climbing onto the forklift seat or pushing or pulling a manual pallet jack; a Lay-down Crop Cart, which allows Ray lay on his stomach while planting, weeding, and harvesting crops that are low-to-the ground; Follow-up Services, to assure the receipt, assembly, and correct implementation of the equipment.
Following the receipt and implementation of the above equipment, Ray has succeeded in effectively performing the physical functions required for the farm, which has allowed him to maintain his business.
Ray stated, "The accommodations provided through MRS allowed me to continue working and be a leader on the farm (I lead by example). If I am working, I forget about the pain. If I stop moving, the pain is much worse. Working is my moral compass….I must work. The accommodations have taught me to work differently and smarter. I have also realized there are safety hazards for other employees and this experience has opened my eyes to make changes, so that all my workers are safer…we are actually preventing injuries.”
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Email: MRS-CustomerAssistance@michigan.gov
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517-241-5324 or Toll free: 1-800-605-6722
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