![]() The team quickly learned and quickly evolved into the word-of-mouth go to place to call by customers. They received some basic training over the course of a few hours and immediately jumped into the fray. The SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) Team of the Santee-Lynches SC Works System played a critical role in providing unemployment services during the pandemic. Staff also pivoted and provided telephonic and electronic services to customers seeking Unemployment Insurance (UI) assistance. Participants remained engaged and were invested in the training opportunities with use of such a relatable platform despite the pandemic. Topics of study ranged from Allied Health, Military careers, Commercial Driver’s License, Nursing, and Emergency Medical Services. Eckerd Connects provided Learning Express options free of charge in the Santee-Lynches Region to WIOA participants to assist with studying for the GED/HS diploma curriculum, occupational skills training/pre-requisites, and certification exams. Working with public and private training providers, occupational and basic skills training was provided via virtual platforms during the pandemic. The WIOA Youth Program successfully implemented monthly Career Smart classes (soft skills training) via WebEx with participants. Meetings and soft skills training took to the virtual platform via Adobe Connect and WebEx as well. It allowed for full case management services to be provided. Eckerd Connects invested in Adobe Connect to obtain electronic signatures to continue to meet Department of Labor requirements and in addition it enabled them to continue virtual “face-to-face” meetings for staff and clients. Services were provided innovatively by telephone, text messaging, and other virtual platforms such as Adobe Connect and WebEx. Through contracted services with the COG, Eckerd Youth Alternatives dba Eckerd Connects implemented a virtual service delivery model that provided quality Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and SC Works (American Job Center) services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments/Workforce Development Area, Eckerd Connects (WIOA Services), and the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) (Wagner-Peyser, Veteran and UI Services) provided innovative and virtual services during a major pandemic – COVID-19, and in response was designated a high performing center by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Unemployment rates soared to very high numbers – which left many without options for returning to work. The pandemic impacted our communities in multiple ways, including impacting the health of thousands of residents and the economic viability of our counties and cities. SUMTER, SC – The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) awarded Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments (SLRCOG) a national award for their “Virtual Service Delivery” Project at the 2020 Annual Training Conference. Santee-Lynches Regional COG received a 2020 Aliceann Wohlbruck Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for a regional project named “Virtual Service Delivery”. COG Receives Award for “ Virtual Service Delivery ” Project
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