| As the most industrial and heavily populated region in Alabama, Jefferson County has historically thrived on steel, coal, and ore-related industries. However, as a result of the collapse of the steel industry during the 1980s, the region has experienced an economic decline, resulting in high unemployment rates, poverty, distressed retail centers, and urban strife. In addition, even though new economic development initiatives have brought new employment opportunities to the region, residents frequently are not qualified for employment because of a lack of training and educational curricula. To assist low- and moderate-income residents living in the cities of Birmingham and Fairfield, Miles College will establish the Miles College on the MOVE: A Community Partnership for Safe, Homes, Healthy Families and Working Residents program. Key components of this effort will include: - Establishing a strong community partners council made up of academic, government agencies, health providers, and service organizations into one collaborative effort.
- Renovating the area on 59th Street and Avenue E into a facility to house the Community Resource and Health Care Center.
- Developing a comprehensive resource center which integrates services of 6 providers to efficiently serve 300 families.
- Implementing a healthcare program to provide accessible services for 200-400 residents and health living programs for 60 families.
- Creating counseling, referral, and resources to enable residents to improve educational and employability skills.
- Providing programs that focus on strengthening the family, including prenatal programs, parenting programs, parenting skills, conflict resolution, and childcare.
- Developing a comprehensive evaluation system to document the program's success.
Partners in these initiatives will include Cooper-Green Hospital, Jefferson County Commission, Fairfield City Council, Fairfield Board of Education, Fairfield Housing Authority, and Birmingham Works.
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