I don't really think the facts are out there, but I do know FOR A FACT that the agencies are overwhelmed. My sister-in-law works as a head hunter and couldn't even find me a job. She's been working long hours trying to place people and it's hard right now. One of my lil sis's works at a head hunter agency and her's is also pretty packed.

I don't think anyone can truly understand what's going on in Michigan unless you live here and experience it.

My roommate was working this summer in Mich, and he has made repeated statements that it appeared as though the entire state was dying.

Yeah, it is. The funny thing is we may be the highest educated state in a few years. A lot of new grads can't find jobs so law school and grad school are becoming increasingly popular.

I think in Florida, it depends on what sort of aid it is. I believe that most federal aid programs do require you to be unemployed.

The individual in the story is homeless with no job.

I don't know that the agencies are overwhelmed as much as employers are already fully staffed.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Wagner-Peyser are huge federal grants/programs that are available nationwide. Participants are unemployed OR underemployed. These are social service programs to help people get employed.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/onestop.htm

For employment centers, see: http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/on...onestopmap.cfm

As for housing, food, medical, etc. each state has somewhat different requirements, BUT if you are truly in need, you can find help.

ETA: I was wondering what some folks were talking about with minimum wage not applying to certain businesses. Now, I see! http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm

It says she had taken a job at Walmart???

Woops! Ok - homeless and underemployed.

And when the employers are already fully staffed, that backs up agencies hence making them overwhelmed.

AND we just found out that yet another auto plant will probably be closing.

In my area, for some reason, there are a ton of pharmaceutical manufacturers. They are constantly laying people off and re-hiring (sometimes the same people). It's crazy!

If you have an auto plant closing, your local one-stop (I'm not sure of the geography of Michigan, but is the auto plant near Detroit? http://www.detroitsworkplace.org/) should already be working on alternate employment. Nationally, unemployment still isn't as bad as it's been in recent years, so there aren't as many people to back up the agencies.

A side note...I think people need to understand the fact that everyone in this country is not going to make good money, nor should they. Wal-Mart is a perfectly good job for a lot of people. I know its nearly impossible to provide for a family on minimum wage, but guess what, you shouldnt have a family if you're making minimum wage. Increasing wages for workers isnt the answer, teaching them responsibility and planning is.

I'm putting this nicely so please don't think I'm trying to be a bitch... but you really don't understand. These plants are all around the Detroit Metro area. When they close a plant, 100s of people are losing their jobs--- and I mean in the high hundreds. With all the college graduates right now who are have to work at restaurants and other jobs not using their degrees, you add on all those who didn't go to school and are working the other jobs... then you add on hundreds of people who are getting laid off. There's no way. I'm not sure what kind of unemployment these people get. My ex got fired from one of the biggest liquor distributors in the area, and he was making "ok" money from unemployment, but def not enough to get by like what he was making there.

You just really need to understand... Michigan is in over its head as far as employment goes. Even if someone is receiving unemployment, they can still be going to agencies to try to find jobs.

Looks like Michigan is working hard to help though:

http://www.michiganworks.org/pdf/2006ROI.pdf

Hence why the Bush line on abstinence-only sex ed is stupid - these people should be taught how to use BC so they don't have kids they can't afford.