Program areas at SMPDD
Workforce development-wioa, through funding from the u.s. department of labor (us dol), provided employment and educational training services to 2,916 participants. Among those serviced, 464 participants received individual training accounts (itas) that were funded at a total amount of $1,461,365.33. Ita funds assist participants with their educational costs. There were 146 individuals enrolled in on-the-job training(ojt), at a total amount of $1,314,298.18. Ojt funds help businesses offset training costs and customize the training to their specific needs. There were 220 participants in customized training and layoff aversion projects at a cost of $450,559.00. In addition, 276 youth were enrolled in twin districts workforce Development area's in-school and out-of-school youth programs. National dislocated worker grant covid-19, funded from the us dol, provided disaster relief employment to minimize employment and economic impact of declared disasters. This program provided disaster relief employment to 18 participants, for a total amount of $309,052.26. Scsep, through funding from the center for workforce inclusion and the MS department of employment services, provided community service and training services to low income people through the senior community service employment program. There were 106 enrolled in the program, and they received 111,481.5 hours of employment training.
Medicaid waiver - provides home and community based services to individuals over the age of 21 who, in the absence of such services, would require the level of care provided in a nursing facility. Participants must meet income and health requirements. 3,587 elderly and disabled medicaid waiver clients received 37,441 units of service of case management and 381,608 home delivered meals.
Area agency on aging - consists of programs for people 60 years of age and older. 718,696 units of the following services were provided to 8,133 clients: meals, homemaker services, information and referral, adult day care, case management, legal services, respite care, senior center services, consumer directed care, home modifications, and transportation. Insurance counseling was provided to 440 individuals by direct contact, 4,045 people were reached through public media events, and 44,425 people were reached through mail-outs.
Economic Development - provides technical assistance and Planning for smpdd's 15 counties and 38 municipalities. A plan of action is followed based on a district-wide comprehensive economic Development strategy (ceds). In fy 2022, approximately 63 initiatives were implemented: 1 infrastructure project, 45 miscellaneous technical assistance projects, and 17 Planning projects.
Special projects division - services include: project oversight at the program level; monitoring and maintaining project budgets, milestones, and timelines; providing assistance in the preparation of periodic performance reports and grant close-out documents; serving as a point of contact for project team members and a liaison to the federal/state awarding agency; and both in-house and contract it services. During fy 22, smpdd: worked under contract to provide program management services for the Mississippi coastal map revision project; oversaw the implementation of smpdd's fy19 epa brownfield community wide assessment grant; managed the Mississippi access to care center for 24 counties, including implementing vaccine and transition support services through acl covid-19 grants; provided pavement assessment and maintenance Planning services to assist counties and cities to efficiently appropriate their road maintenance budgets; and provided assistance to one (1) it client.
Business & government finance division - smpdd closed eleven (11) small business loans totaling $3,609,377, which created or retained one hundred and sixty-four (164) jobs. Two (2) loans were charged off, totaling $252,614 of principal balance. Eight (8) loans were paid off carrying a total principal balance of $1,263,853 at the time of payoff. Eight (8) loans totaling $946,241 were approved, but not closed, at fiscal year end, 9/30/2022.
All other senior services programs - the veteran directed care program serves veterans of all ages who are at risk of nursing home placement. Veterans are allotted funds to employ home health care workers and to purchase items to increase their ability to remain in their homes. During fy22, 40 veterans participated in the programs. The foster grandparent program provided a stipend to 26 people age 55 years or older to serve as companions, mentors, tutors, and advisors to young people.
Other programs