My previous job functions were to work with the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS). I met with clients and completed employment plans in order to help individuals reach self-sufficiency and find unsubsidized employment. Spanish monolingual clients were sent to me for job search services and for case planning because I was the only bilingual staff in the JOBS program. .
Another function was to cover for my immediate supervisor in many of his non-supervisory duties while he was out of the office or if he was working on a certain project or issue. This provided him with more time to deal with personnel issues that went on in the workplace while his other duties were still getting done.
About a year ago I was offered a position in case management that came open and I accepted it. This left the JOBS program without a bilingual worker to assist the Spanish monolingual clients in our partner agency. The budget did not allow for hiring new staff and I could not do both jobs. This brought on the issue of how to provide the service to the Spanish monolingual population. In Malheur County, roughly 25% of the population is Hispanic. A number of this population are either monolingual Spanish speaking or understand Spanish better than English. We are contracted with the State to provide services to all DHS clients eligible for the JOBS program. If an individual is receiving food stamps or is on cash grant they are eligible to participate in the JOBS program. Without a bilingual staff in the program we would not be able to fulfill the contract. DHS considered it a problem, as did our agency because of the contractual agreements. If our agency does not meet the contract requirements then we do not get the funding for the following year.
Another issue that came up was the fact that there would not be anyone assisting the supervisor with his duties therefore some of those duties may get done late or not at all.