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“I know people are really, really worried about this shortage of infant formula in the United States,” United States Senator Tim Kaine (D) said in a video statement Tuesday. “The shortage is driven by the fact that the largest manufacturer in the U.S. had to have their plant closed down because of safety concerns. The last thing we want is to have tainted infant formula on the market, but that's putting a short-term challenge in place that's really affecting a lot of families.”
Watch his entire video statement at the top of this newsletter where he describes progress being made to help the shortage.
Youngkin announces an alternative hiring process for individuals with disabilities
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday that the state government has implemented an alternative hiring process for individuals with disabilities in what his announcement says will serve as a model for inclusive employment practices.
According to the governor’s announcement, the process embeds employment of individuals with differing abilities as part of standard hiring policy and the state work culture.
A collaboration of state and community partners, the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) have spearheaded the continuing effort to employ, integrate and accommodate more individuals with disabilities in the state workforce, the governor’s announcement says.
“My administration fully supports expanded economic and job opportunities for individuals living with disabilities,” Youngkin stated. “This is a significant step in the Commonwealth’s commitment to the overall goal of increasing employment opportunities for all Virginians.”
Virginia’s hiring policy will be updated to incorporate the new alternative hiring process. Applicants with documented disabilities, as certified by a DARS certified rehabilitation counselor, are eligible for consideration.
Interested applicants will apply at jobs.virginia.gov and upload a Certificate of Disability to their employment application.
Approved applicants may receive priority consideration during the recruitment process.
Agencies are being strongly encouraged by the governor to provide a 6-month provisional period to these new hires to ensure accommodation needs are met.
“This process is only the beginning of our strategy to demonstrate our commitment to individuals with differing abilities to improve the state workforce,” said Margaret “Lyn” McDermid, Secretary of Administration. “It is one facet of a more comprehensive strategy, which includes accommodations, communication, education and awareness, compliance and retention of individuals with differing abilities,”
The Commonwealth’s continuing commitment to equal employment opportunities for all, including individuals with differing abilities, is highlighted in Code of Virginia §2.2-203.2:3 and §2.2-1213.
The DHRM website has more information at jobs.virginia.gov, including Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants. A Certificate of Disability may be requested from DARS or by calling 800-552-5019. Sign language users may use the videophone at 804-325-1316.
The Libre Initiative is holding community events with gift cards for inflation
The Libre Initiative is holding events that are focused on connecting Virginia’s Latino community to the “harmful federal economic policies driving up costs as a part of their national ‘The True Cost of Washington’ campaign.”
At an event in Woodbridge’s Todos Supermarket on Saturday, Libre Initiative gave out gift cards for what they say is worth the average cost of inflation for two days ($28.67).
“Rising inflation is taking a heavy toll on the Hispanic community—families are struggling to put food on the table, small businesses face uncertainty—the prices we’re paying at checkout and at the pump are unstainable for working Virginians,” said Michael Monrroy, coalitions director for The LIBRE Initiative’s Virginia chapter Inflation is a top concern and we’re tired of the blame game. Our politicians need to put solutions in place by cutting excessive spending and red tape and unleash America’s energy.”
Libre describes itself as a national organization “dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community to reach their full potential by promoting and fighting for freedom-oriented solutions at the state and federal level.”
They are a sister organization of Americans for Prosperity.
From Twitter:
Sen. Tim Kaine comments on baby formula shortage