Additional Benefits for Unemployed Missourians
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), February 22, 2009 - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that will use federal dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to give unemployed Missourians an additional $25 weekly as they seek to return to the workforce.
"There are 219,000 Missourians unemployed and I am committed to using every resource available to get them back to work. My administration is moving quickly to maximize the benefit that middle class Missourians get from the recovery package, and with today's agreement unemployed workers will get a little extra boost as we help them back into the workforce," said Gov. Nixon.
The agreement signed by Gov. Nixon makes use of federal funding provided through the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act, which was passed as part of the federal economic recovery bill. Under the act, Missouri will receive sufficient funding to increase the weekly benefit to unemployed workers by $25 with no additional outlay of state funds.
Individuals currently receiving benefits will qualify for the additional assistance. They can expect to receive their first payment of the extra funds as early as March 3, 2009.
"Too many Missourians are struggling to make ends meet, and the need for action was critical," said Gov. Nixon. "We will continue to transform our economy and put people back to work. The signing of this agreement provides critical resources that move us in that direction."
The $25 benefits package will continue through June 30, 2010. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Division of Employment Security administers payment of unemployment benefits, which are intended for persons who become unemployed through no fault of their own.
Rockwood School District Receives National Connect-ED(R) Leadership Through Communication Award
ST. LOUIS, MO, (PRNewswire), February 22, 2009 - Rockwood School District in West St. Louis County, Mo., has earned the 2009 Connect-ED(R) Leadership through Communication Award, which was presented at the American Association of School Administrator's (AASA) National Conference on Education in San Francisco, Calif.
The award is sponsored by the Blackboard Inc. Blackboard Connect team, AASA, and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and honors Rockwood School District Superintendent Dr. Craig Larson and Kim Cranston, APR, Chief Communications Officer, for recognizing that communication is a critical component of leadership and exhibiting an ongoing commitment to incorporating communication into their strategic programs and day-to-day operations.
"School-to-parent communication helps to enhance parental engagement, ultimately improving student and parent involvement and participation," said Thomas Motter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackboard Connect, which provides a multi-modal mass notification and alert solution to education, government and military organizations. "Rockwood School District has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the enhancement of school-to-parent communication and how this communication can have a positive impact on both its students and its wider community."
Rockwood School District is St. Louis County's largest public school system, serving more than 22,000 students. The judges for this year's program noted that the district's leadership team should be commended for its demonstrated excellence both within the district and the community it serves.
Now in its fourth year, the Connect-ED Leadership through Communication Award program is open to all school districts throughout the United States. In receiving the award, a $10,000 contribution will be made to Rockwood's scholarship fund, to be awarded to a student or students who will major in communications.
"The Rockwood School District leadership team has achieved a successful communication program by acknowledging the value of community involvement. They have engaged parents, staff and students, creating a community of active stakeholders," said Dr. Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of AASA. "AASA is pleased to honor the Rockwood School District for developing strategic communication programs that benefit the entire school community."
"Rockwood School District's strong communication program has helped change community and staff attitudes and built support for strong achievement initiatives," said Rich Bagin, APR, executive director of NSPRA. "Their efforts exemplify how communication can make dramatic improvements within an organization."
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