The NFJP offers assistance that strengthens the ability of farm workers and their families to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Since its inception with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the farmworker program has been an integral part of the national workforce strategy.
The NFJP is currently authorized under section 167 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, and is a required partner of the local One-Stop delivery system.
What does NFJP do for farm workers?
The NFJP provides funding and services to eligible MFSWs to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency. We can provide supportive services while they work in their current agricultural field, and then assist them in acquiring a new job that offers better pay and a more stable employment outlook.
NFJP services include:
Core Services- skills assessment, job search, WIA program eligibility determination and access to other core services of the local One-Stop Center
Intensive/Training Services- These services allow farm workers and their family members to acquire skills that permit them to progress to other employment outside of farm work, or to upgrade employment within agriculture. These services include objective assessment, basic education and employment development planning.
Related Assistance Services- These services contribute to the stabilization of the farm workers’ continued employment in farm work or support the farm worker during job training. These services include short-term forms of direct assistance to farm workers and their families who have anurgent need for food or housing.
Who is Eligible for the NFJP?
To be eligible for participation in the NFJP an individual:
Must be a citizen or national of the United States, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, refugee, refugee under asylum, parolee or other individual legally authorized to work in the United States.
Must have not violated Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act by knowingly and willfully failing to register for the Selective Service registration.
Must have been a disadvantaged MSFWs during any consecutive 12 month period within the most recent 24 month period prior to application, or
Be the spouse of the eligible farmworker and meet requirements 1 and 2 above, or
Be the dependent of the eligible farmworker and meet requirements 1 and 2 above.
A “seasonal farmworker” is a person who, for 12 consecutive months out of the 24 months prior to application for the program, has been primarily employed in agricultural labor that is characterized by chronic unemployment and underemployment, as further defined.
