Joplin Disaster Recovery Jobs Program
Missouri - Joplin Disaster Recovery Jobs Program
Workforce Innovation Submitted By: Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri
Community Challenge/Problem
On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin. The storm’s path directly passed through the city of Joplin, and resulted in catastrophic loss of life and destruction. The tornado killed 161 people and injured more than 1,000. Approximately 4,000 houses were destroyed; approximately 3,500 houses were severely damaged. Nearly 530 businesses were closed right after the tornado, affecting approximately 5,000 employees, around 3,000 of which were kept on payroll in some capacity. WIB leaders had three goals in disaster recovery: provide labor for humanitarian and cleanup efforts; put unemployed individuals to work; and prevent workers from leaving region due to hopelessness and lack of employment.
Board Solution/Innovation
Using the National Emergency Grant (NEG) framework developed by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and U.S. Department of Labor, the Southwest WIB deployed the Disaster Recovery Jobs Program with a $15.9 million grant. The grant covered wages for hundreds of temporary workers that provided humanitarian and cleanup efforts. Employability for workers improved as they participated in initial training, obtained a National Career Readiness Certificate, gained work experience, and received follow up training where needed for longer-term job success.
Outcomes & Results
More than 1,450 workers provided 894,945 hours of disaster recovery services. The overall economic impact of the $15.9 million grant produced an estimated $37.6 million in economic benefit to the region, according to a study the WIB commissioned by Chmura Economics.
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