Local Talent Development Leader Julie DeRose Honored by Michigan Works! Association

LANSING, Mich. (Sep 16, 2020) – Julie DeRose of Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) was awarded a “Shining Star” Award by the Michigan Works! Association for her efforts to meet employment needs in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.

DeRose recently received the award during the Association’s annual conference. She serves as the director of Potterville Adult Education programs in partnership with Capital Area Michigan Works!.

Under DeRose’s leadership, she and her team of educators provide education services through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program at the Ingham County American Job Center. CAMW! TANF participants were referred to the program Julie leads, called the Learn to Earn program, to work towards high school completion as well as basic skills remediation.

“Throughout the years, Julie’s creativity and connection to providing services where they are needed has expanded even further,” said Luann Dunsford, chief executive officer of the Michigan Works! Association. “The Learn to Earn program is now available for program participants in all three Capital Area Michigan Works! American Job Centers and formal Adult Education services are also available to support individuals needing assistance to complete their high school education or those who may have remediation needs.”

DeRose has a reputation for going above and beyond to assist her clients, treating each one with care and respect.

“When Ingham County began to receive refugee referrals to the TANF program, Julie and her team pivoted services to ensure that services were available to provide English as a Second Language (ESL) supports as well as educational support to refugee participants,” said Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!. “Recognizing a need, Julie hired a formal ESL instructor to work in the Ingham County American Job Center classroom to ensure that curriculum was available to serve the new program participants and their goals within the program. Julie has consistently proven to be a supporter of the CAMW! organizational goals and efforts.”

DeRose said she is honored to receive the Shining Star Award.

“I am so very grateful for this honor,” said DeRose. “To be singled out is humbling, since there are so many awesome people that I work with every day who make lives better, futures brighter and our communities stronger. It is not always easy work we do, but it is always good work.”

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Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's talent development system. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call (517) 371-1100.