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 2,396 participants. Among those serviced, 413 participants received individual training accounts (itas) that were funded at a total amount of $1,217,458. Ita funds assist participants with their educational costs. There were 101 individuals enrolled in on-the-job training(ojt), at a total amount of $776,534. Ojt funds help businesses offset training costs and customize the training to their specific needs. There were 117 participants in customized training and layoff aversion projects at a cost of $588,341. In addition, 397 youth were enrolled in twin districts workforce Development area's in-school and out-of-school youth programs. Msworks, through funding from acceleratems, provided training services to 94 participants, at a total cost of $830,261.scsep, through funding from the center for workforce inclusion and the ms department of employment security, provided community service and training services to low income people through the senior community employment program. There were 100 enrolled in the program, and they received 94,468 hours of employment training. High school career coach- through funding from acceleratems and the ms department of employment security, as the fiscal agenet, smpdd has hired 34 high school career coaches, which serve students in 22 counties. The career coach program is a students' connection to career information, options, education, training and opportunities.tanf career step, through funding from the ms department of human services, served 364 participants.
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. 3,560 elderly and disabled medicaid waiver clients received 37,844 units of service of case management and 372,328 home delivered meals.
Area agency on aging - consists of programs for people 60 years of age and older. 729,507 units of the following services were provided to 5,554 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, 3,431 people were reached through public media events, and 3,243 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 2023, approximately 58 initiatives were implemented: 2 infrastructure projects, 2 construction projects, 45 miscellaneous technical assistance projects, and 9 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; and 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 fy23, smpdd: worked under contract to provide programs management services for the Mississippi coastal map revision project; oversaw the implementation of smpdd's fy23 epa brownfield community wide assessment grant; managed the Mississippi access to care center for 24 counties, including implementing transition support services through acl covid-19 grant; 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 sixteen (16) small business loans totaling $2,192,972, which created or retained eighty-three (83) jobs. No loans were charged off. Nine (9) loans were paid off carrying a total principle balance of $1,603,508, at the time of payoff. Five (5) loans totaling $951,000 were approved but not closed at fiscal year end 9/30/2023.
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 fy 2023, 54 veterans participated in the program. The foster grandparent programs provided a stipend to 18 people 55 years of age and older to serve as companions, mentors, tutors and advisors to young people.
Other programs