U.S. Department of Labor tours the state to meet with Unemployment Insurance Navigator program organizations

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) Navigator program recently hosted representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Region 6 office to conduct an on-site monitoring visit for the UI Navigator grant. It is common practice for U.S. Department of Labor to conduct visits to learn about and better understand the effectiveness of grant funds that have been awarded.

Left to right: Stephanie Sams (ESD), Christopher Simon (USDOL), Dr Sherry Smith (USDOL), front: Meeran Sung, back: Joomi Kim, Tonya Tinnin (ESD), Kyung Kim

This visit was particularly unique as the Department of Labor requested a first-hand view of the community-based organizations that were awarded subgrants for the UI Navigator program.

The Employment Security Department’s UI Navigator team took the representatives on the road for a cultural experience, beginning in Seattle, then to Yakima and later to Edmonds to meet with organizations and learn about their work.

Pictured left to right: Christopher Simon (Region 6), Rafael Colon (ESD), Dr. Sherry Smith (Region 6), Tonya Tinnin, Stephanie Salinas (La Oficina), Berta Alicia Garza (La Oficina), Joy Adams (ESD), Stephanie Sams (ESD), and Synthia Hernandez (La Oficina)

“The participation and support from U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for the Unemployment Insurance Navigator program community-based organizations (CBOs) is crucial for the continued success of this program,” said Commissioner Cami Feek about the recent DOL visit. “It’s so important to receive that first-hand view on how the CBOs interact with their communities and to learn more on how these partnerships continue to grow from the funding received.”

During the visits, Department of Labor representatives were able to see the dedication the UI Navigators have for their communities, as well as the unique audiences they serve. Each community-based organization conducts culturally and linguistically relevant outreach, education and support to individuals who have historically fallen outside of the unemployment insurance system. As part of their intake process, the UI Navigators meet with individual clients to discover their needs to direct the level of support they provide.

Pictured left to right: Martin Garibay (P4P), Rafael Colon (ESD), Misael Maldonado (P4P), Martin Garibay (P4P), Aurora SantaCruz (P4P), Tonya Tinnin (ESD), Stephanie Sams (P4P), Christopher Simon (Region 6), Dr. Sherry Smith (Region 6), and Nino Gray (ESD)

For example, UI Navigators often meet with unemployment insurance customers for hours, providing coaching on how to successfully apply for unemployment insurance or completing other government applications. This can include how to use a computer, how to maneuver through state and federal government websites and where to find applicable resources. Additionally, UI Navigators provide referrals, as needed, for further assistance, whether that is to WorkSource services and system partners for assistance in returning to the job market, to local or state organizations for other safety net services, and to other UI Navigator organizations for complementary support.

The goal of the UI Navigator community-based organizations is to help educate their communities on efficiently applying for support services to become self-sufficient and advocates in their own communities. Many marginalized and underserved communities are either not aware of unemployment insurance, do not understand what it is, or have misconceptions around what it is. With the help of UI Navigators, Employment Security can help dispel these myths and increase accessibility to crucial services.

First row from left to right: Meng Lei, Trang Truong, Min Zin Li, Ivan Ieong, Cathy Leung, Karia Wong. Second row from left to right: Eva Chan, Hueiling Chan, Rafael Colon (ESD), Stephanie Sams (ESD), Dr Sherry Smith (USDOL), Christopher Simon (USDOL), Tonya Tinnin (ESD)

The Department of Labor visited Native Action Network and Chinese Information Service Center in Seattle, People For People and La Oficina in Yakima; with an added bonus of the Washington State Labor Council attending a community resource fair and barbecue event co-hosted by People For People and La Oficina in Toppenish. They then traveled to the Korean Community Service Center in Snohomish County to finish off the tour.

La Oficina and People For People partner together frequently; they co-hosted a Community BBQ in Toppenish inviting members of the community to learn about Unemployment Insurance and other organizations providing services to the community and for free tacos!

Washington State Labor Council also attended the Community BBQ and consulted with the People For People Navigator on a claimant requesting assistance with filing their weekly claim.

To learn more about the UI Navigator program, please visit: ESDWAGOV — ESD community partners

Pictured left to right: Rafael Colon (ESD), Iris Friday (NAN), Jami Ishmael (NAN), Tonya Tinnin (ESD), Stephanie Sams (ESD), Dr. Sherry Smith (Region 6), Joy Adams (ESD), Nicole Walker (ESD), Nino Gray (ESD), and Christopher Simon (Region 6)