The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity today announced Employ Florida, one of the nation’s largest job opening websites, launched a new portal for Hurricane Irma recovery and cleanup jobs. The Employ Florida Hurricane Irma Recovery Jobs Portal provides direct links to recovery and cleanup job opportunities across the state and is available at Irma.EmployFlorida.com.
Governor Scott said, “Helping Floridians get back to work is a huge part of the recovery process, and with the new Hurricane Irma Recovery Jobs Portal, families will now be able to more easily find job opportunities that also help their own communities. I encourage all families and businesses owners to take advantage of this important resource as we continue to work together to help our entire state rebuild and recover.”
New jobs are being added every day for jobseekers. Employers who would like to register and list jobs should pick “Hurricane Irma Recovery Job” in the listing so that it shows up in the portal.
DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Employ Florida’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Jobs Portal will connect jobseekers with job opportunities for the important work that is needed to help our communities and state recover after this disaster. We are proud to offer jobseekers and employers this new resource.”
Besides job listings, individuals can also use Irma.EmployFlorida.com to create a resume, apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, find education and training opportunities and more.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
DEO Encourages Florida Businesses to Prepare for Hurricane Season
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) encourages business owners and managers to be prepared for the 2017 hurricane season that begins on June 1. Adequately preparing for a disaster is the best way to protect your business and ensure it gets up and running quickly after a storm.
DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Businesses across Florida need to be prepared and have a plan in place for operations before, during and after severe weather and storms, especially during hurricane season. As we know in Florida, hurricanes and severe weather events pose a threat to much of the state. The best way to protect lives, property and our local economies is to prepare in advance. If you don’t already have a plan for your business, make one today at www.FLGetaPlan.com.”
DEO urges businesses to do the following right away:
- Make preparations now – Hurricanes pose risks for flooding and wind damage. Make sure your business is prepared for a flooding event by moving important items off of the floor. Prepare for high winds by removing or fixing broken items on the exterior of your business.
- Get a plan – Make sure your business’s emergency plan is updated. If you do not have one, go to www.FLGetaPlan.com to make one today for your business and family.
- Check your disaster supply kit – Review the items in in your disaster supply kit to ensure all needed items are there and up-to-date. If you don’t have a disaster supply kit for your home or business, prepare one now.
- Stay in touch – Keep cell phones charged and make sure all contact information for employees and other important contacts is current and correct. Alert employees to pay attention to news, phone and email, especially during the threat of a hurricane or severe weather.
- Stay informed – Visit the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center at http://flvbeoc.org today to register your business to receive updates in the event of a severe storm or hurricane.
As a member of the State Emergency Response Team, DEO coordinates local, state and federal agency actions that provide immediate and short-term assistance for the needs of businesses after a disaster.
Visit www.FLGetaPlan.com to create your business emergency plan. More resources on business preparedness are available from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at www.FloridaDisaster.org, the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.Ready.gov/business, and the Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov.
DEO Encourages Local Communities to Apply For Grant Programs to Improve Economic Development Efforts
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) invites communities across Florida to submit proposals for three grant funding opportunities for the upcoming fiscal year.
- The Competitive Florida Partnership Grant is a two-year program that provides technical assistance and support to rural areas seeking to improve their communities through an asset-based economic development strategy.
- The Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grant provides funding that allows communities to pursue a specific economic development project or supplement an existing project.
- Community Planning Technical Assistance Grants assist counties, municipalities and regional planning councils with Community Planning Act-related projects that benefit local governments.
DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “DEO is committed to using our resources and tools to help all Florida communities and their residents flourish. The Competitive Florida programs and Community Planning Technical Assistance grants are critical tools that help support communities in need across the state. These programs help communities strengthen infrastructure, enhance business development and improve their residents’ quality of life.”
Communities qualifying for the Competitive Florida Partnership Grant include all rural Florida counties and their municipalities, or rural municipalities in an urban county. The Competitive Florida Partnership provides grant funding and staff support in the first year of the program. In year two, communities continue to receive technical assistance from DEO and may be eligible for additional grants. The Competitive Florida Partnership began in 2013 to help rural communities meet their goals with expert support and additional resources that may be otherwise unavailable.
Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grants are available to all counties and municipalities to help the community learn more about local assets and economic conditions, and develop a specific local project. Grant awards range from $5,000 and $15,000.
Community Planning Technical Assistance Grants are available to all counties and municipalities for one fiscal year. Regional Planning Councils may also be eligible for projects at a regional scale that include more than one county. Projects seeking grant funding must be completed by June 1, 2018. Typical grant awards will be between $25,000 and $40,000 per project.
Proposals must be received by the department by June 23, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
For more details on the Competitive Florida program, click here.
For more information on DEO’s technical assistance efforts, click here.
Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program
Governor Rick Scott has signed legislation into law that strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. Both the Florida House and Senate unanimously voted for this bill, which provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, including the state photo identification database. Sen. Kelli Stargel and Rep. Mike LaRosa sponsored the legislation.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Thank you to Governor Scott for signing this bill into law so quickly. We are proud of our daily efforts to stop criminals from fraudulently stealing Reemployment Assistance benefits from Florida job seekers who need help getting back to work. We appreciate the Governor and his support in passing this important bill. Now, DEO will have access to more tools that are critical in our fight against public benefits fraud.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.
DEO Hosts 24th Annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Career Event at the Florida Capitol
MEDIA ADVISORY
On Thursday, April 27, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will host a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day career event on the 22nd Floor of the Florida Capitol for local students and their parents. DEO will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m., where DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor and special guests will welcome visitors and event participants. The event will highlight the importance of education and expose Florida’s future workforce to the various employment fields and opportunities available in the state.
Students ages 8-18, along with their parents or guardians, caregivers and mentors are invited to attend and participate in interactive exhibits from educational institutions, organizations and government agencies.
WHO:
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Clay Tomlinson, Education Assistant, Challenger Learning Center
Owen Wright, 3rd grade student, Killearn Lakes Elementary School
Karl, 5th grade student, Leon County Schools
WHAT: Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day career event for students and parents
WHEN: Thursday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Press conference begins at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Florida State Capitol – 22nd Floor
Visit www.floridajobs.org/TakeKidsToWork for more information about the event.
DEO Plants Pinwheel Garden to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Efforts
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity employees planted a pinwheel garden today to raise awareness of child abuse prevention efforts around the state. Every April, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Pinwheels for Prevention events, sponsored by the Department of Children and Families and The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, are held across the state.
Cissy Proctor, DEO Executive Director, said, “Our employees are committed to supporting Florida families as they raise children to be successful, happy and healthy. At DEO, we work every day to strengthen Florida’s families by helping them get good jobs that provide for their children and support their dreams and goals. As our communities continue to support happy, healthy children, our state will continue to grow and succeed.
L to R: Nydia Ntouda, Training/Fundraising Specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Florida; Cissy Proctor, DEO Executive Director, and JoShonda Guerrier, DCF Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare prepare to plant a pinwheel garden in recognition of Florida Child Abuse Prevention Month.
DEO staff prepare to plant a pinwheel garden in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
DEO Staff Plant Pinwheels to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention
MEDIA ADVISORY
On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor will plant a pinwheel garden with DEO staff, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to helping raise awareness of child abuse prevention in Florida. Pinwheels for Prevention is coordinated by Prevent Child Abuse Florida, the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The campaign highlights the many resources available to provide support for Florida families so children have the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives.
Who: DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor
DCF Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare JoShonda Guerrier
Prevent Child Abuse Florida Training/Fundraising Specialist, Nydia Ntouda
When: 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Where: Department of Economic Opportunity
Caldwell Building Steps at Intersection of Madison Street and Monroe Street
107 Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL
Florida House Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program
The Florida House of Representatives today unanimously voted to strengthen the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The House passed HB 671, sponsored by Representative Mike LaRosa, which provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, including the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “DEO is working every day to stop criminals from fraudulently stealing Reemployment Assistance benefits from Florida job seekers who need help getting back to work. This legislation will help our dedicated fraud-prevention team identify and halt fraud more quickly. I appreciate Rep. LaRosa’s leadership on this important issue and the Florida House for recognizing DEO’s successful efforts to protect Reemployment Assistance.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
House Committee Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program From Criminal Fraud
The House Transportation & Infrastructure committee today unanimously approved HB 671, which strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The legislation provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, which includes the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Today the House Transportation & Infrastructure committee overwhelmingly supported DEO’s efforts to protect Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program from theft and fraud. I appreciate Rep. LaRosa for his leadership as the bill sponsor and Chairman Drake and the committee for voting unanimously to help DEO stop criminals from stealing benefits from job seekers who need them.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm claimant-provided IDs are not fraudulent.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
Senate Committee Votes to Protect Florida’s Reemployment Program From Criminal Fraud
The Senate Transportation Committee today unanimously approved SB 372, sponsored by Senator Kelli Stargel, which strengthens the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s efforts to fight fraud in the state’s Reemployment Assistance program. The legislation provides DEO access to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ DAVID System, which includes the state photo identification database.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I want to thank Senator Stargel, Chairman Gainer and the Senate Transportation committee for their leadership in protecting Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program from theft and fraud. This good bill will help DEO quickly identify criminals and prevent them from stealing Reemployment Assistance from job seekers who are trying to get back to work.”
The legislation includes the tools and legal authorizations that are critical to prevent and fight public benefits fraud by providing DEO access to the driver’s license database to confirm provided IDs are not fraudulent.
About DEO
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
