Employment and Training
The Employment and Training Unit provides avenues, support, education and training to individuals and/or families to enable them to gain employment, maintain employment and become self-sufficient.
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency provides employment and training services to individuals who have been enrolled in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) programs. Enrollment is determined by eligibility. Services include job search assistance, resume writing, interviewing tips, case management, tuition assistance, career planning, Labor Market information, and job placement.
Adult/Dislocated Worker Services
Are You:
An Adult 18 years old or older?
Unemployed?
Underemployed?
A Displaced Homemaker?
A Low-income individual?
Receiving temporary assistance (TANF)?
Receiving Food Stamps?
A Veteran?
Living in Cass County?
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency can provide you…
Career Preparation
Customers who qualify for financial assistance may receive additional support in their job search. Career Counselors will assist you with your job search and Workforce developers will find you a job that best match your skills and experience.
(Eligibility does not guarantee program enrollment, which is determined by the Admissions Committee. Services are subject to funds available).
Customers need to bring:
Valid Identification (Drivers License, State ID, or Birth Certificate)
Social Security Card
Services Include:
Career Planning – An Active plan for getting a job with an assigned career counselor
Skill Assessments – Identifies skills and experiences for selected jobs
Job Search Assistance – Attend workshops on resume writing and job interviewing
Classroom Training
Customers can receive scholarship and financial assistance to attend certified vocational classes at local schools, community colleges or other educational institutions in high demand, high wages occupations
Internships and Work Experience
Customers can gain skills and experience through paid internships or short term on the job training.
On-The-Job Training
Customers can earn while they learn. Employers provide trainees with employment upon successful completion of the training period
Am I Eligible and what do I bring to apply?
Must be Cass County Resident
Income Guidelines:
Family Kansas City St. Louis Remainder
Size Area Area of Missouri
- $10,400 – $8,138 – $8,329
- $14,000 – $13,332 – $13,644
- $17,320 – $18,299 – $18,730
- $21,380 – $22,588 – $23,118
- $25,250 – $26,657 – $27,287
- $29,510 – $31,172 – $31,910
For families larger than six (6) persons who reside in the Kansas City area, add $4,630 for each additional member.
Bring with you:
Workforce 21 Application (attached)
Proof of address
Drivers License
Social Security Card
Public Assistance Documents (if applicable)
Birth Certificates for everyone in home
Selective Service Registration or waiver documentation (if applicable)
Letter of layoff (Dislocated Workers only)
Youth Employment Services
If you are 16 to 21 and a resident of Cass County, you may qualify for:
Mentoring:
Receive career counseling.
Observe professionals in high demand career fields
Education:
Prepare for your GED, high school diploma.
Get tuition assistance at area vocational schools, community colleges and other educational institutions.
Improve your reading, writing and math skills through remediation assessments.
Employment:
Find out about job openings
Get help in Resume preparation and development
Get Career and labor market information
Computer access for job search
Get job referrals and post your resume for employers to see
Get help in preparing for job interviews
Work Experiences
Internships and summer employment opportunities
Supportive Services:
Transportation services
Work tools and supplies provided for employees
Internships provided – paid and unpaid. Follow up in case management services available.
Am I Eligible and what do I bring to apply?
Must be Cass County resident
Income guidelines:
Family Kansas City St. Louis Remainder
Size Area Area of Missouri
- $10,400 – $8,138 – $8,329
- $14,000 – $13,332 – $13,644
- $17,320 – $18,299 – $18,730
- $21,800 – $22,588 – $23,118
- $25,250 – $26,657 – $27,287
- $29,510 – $31,172 – $31,910
For families larger than six (6) persons who reside in the Kansas City area, add $4,630 for each additional member.
Bring with you:
Workforce 21 Application (attached)
Proof of address
Drivers License
Social Security Card
Public Assistance Documents (if applicable)
Birth Certificates for everyone in home
Selective Service Registration or waiver documentation (if applicable)
Unemployment Insurance Reporting
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency provides two locations in Cass County that can assist you in maintaining your unemployment insurance claim.
To Maintain Your Claim:
In order to remain eligible for UI benefit payments, there are a number of steps that you must complete each week. A failure to complete them may result in the denial of benefits. If you are a member of a union with a hiring hall, you can waive step 2. If you have a recall date within eight weeks (or 16 weeks if requested by your employer and approved by the Division Director) , you can waive steps 2 and 3.
File your weekly certification (claim) every week as early as Sunday.
Use this site or call your RCC and use the automated telephone filing system. Be sure to update your current address if it has changed.
Have your Social Security Number, your (Personal Identification Number (PIN), your total earnings before deductions and any vacation/holiday pay information ready.
If your weekly certification is filed using the Internet, you will receive confirmation upon completion. Keep this for your records.
In order to continue receiving payments, you must repeat these steps every week you wish to receive UI benefits.If you start working full-time again, stop filing. Your claim will close automatically after 28 days.
Report in person, to a Missouri Division of Workforce Development (DWD) Career Center or four-week reporting location once every four weeks.
Visit www.missouricareersource.com and click “Locate a Missouri Career Center” to find a location. Be sure to have your UI PIN with you when you report.
DWD Staff will help you register for their online career search resources.
Get help with résumé writing and participate in mock interviews to help you get back to work faster.
Career Center staff cannot answer specific questions about your claim.
Search actively for work.
Make enough contacts each week with potential employers to meet the required number you were given when you registered (this number varies according to your area). Failure to make your required job contacts may result in denial of UI benefits.
Record all of your job contacts on the “Work Search Record” in case the DES requests it. Get the form here.
Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) program
West Central Missouri Community Action Agency provides services to individuals who have been proved eligible by the Family Services Division (FSD) through the Missouri Work Assistance program (formerly known as the Career Assistance Program). MWA case managers offer comprehensive workforce development services such as orientation/assessment, case management, Individual Employment Plan (IEP) development, and training and employment services.
See your county Family Service Division to apply.
Lea Ann Gatzemeyer, CCAP Employment and Training / Health Services Director