The purpose of the council is to improve the quality of life of Migrant and Seasonal farm workers and their families by providing a forum for the local coordination and cooperation on matter related to the well being of farm workers in northwest Michigan. The council seeks to reduce duplication of services, coordinate service delivery, identify unmet needs and develop appropriate programs. The Northwest Michigan Migrant Resource Council meets monthly and welcomes all to attend and contribute to the discussions.
Background
In 1978, the Office of Migrant Affairs of the Michigan Department of Human Services (formerly Office of Migrant Services, Michigan Department of Social Services) was given gubernatorial recognition and support to establish a network of Migrant Resource Councils (MRCs) throughout the state. Specifically, these Councils, comprised of public and private agency representatives, growers, farm workers and other concerned citizens, seek to “reduce duplication of services, coordinate service delivery, identify unmet needs and develop appropriate programs.”
The Office of Migrant Affairs (OMA), which is an administrative unit within the Michigan Department of Human Services, recognizes that a multitude of barriers – language, cultural, procedural and informational – may impede the delivery of services to qualified Migrant farm workers and family members. The Migrant Resource Council is one mechanism OMA has sought to develop and utilize at the local level as a means of overcoming these barriers.
The Migrant Resource Councils, which are voluntary groupings of Migrant service providers, seek to identify and address problems at the local level through informal coordination and cooperation. Whereas the Councils have no programs or funding of their own, they seek to work through the various service delivery systems the Council members represent. Council members are sensitized to a variety of problems and needs of the farm worker and, in turn, seek to sensitize their respective organizations.
Background
In 1978, the Office of Migrant Affairs of the Michigan Department of Human Services (formerly Office of Migrant Services, Michigan Department of Social Services) was given gubernatorial recognition and support to establish a network of Migrant Resource Councils (MRCs) throughout the state. Specifically, these Councils, comprised of public and private agency representatives, growers, farm workers and other concerned citizens, seek to “reduce duplication of services, coordinate service delivery, identify unmet needs and develop appropriate programs.”
The Office of Migrant Affairs (OMA), which is an administrative unit within the Michigan Department of Human Services, recognizes that a multitude of barriers – language, cultural, procedural and informational – may impede the delivery of services to qualified Migrant farm workers and family members. The Migrant Resource Council is one mechanism OMA has sought to develop and utilize at the local level as a means of overcoming these barriers.
The Migrant Resource Councils, which are voluntary groupings of Migrant service providers, seek to identify and address problems at the local level through informal coordination and cooperation. Whereas the Councils have no programs or funding of their own, they seek to work through the various service delivery systems the Council members represent. Council members are sensitized to a variety of problems and needs of the farm worker and, in turn, seek to sensitize their respective organizations.
