Rapid Response Team Activated to Assist Crossroads Regional Medical Center Employees

Release Date: 09-30-05
Contact: Kristi Jamison (573) 526-2423 or Paul Sloca (573) 751-9065

WENTZVILLE—Missouri’s Department of Economic Development is activating its Rapid Response Team to help employees who will be laid off from Crossroads Regional Medical Center.

The Rapid Response Team, composed of representatives from the Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development, the Division of Employment Security and the St. Charles Department of Workforce Development, responds to the needs of dislocated workers by providing free training and re-employment services.

Immediate services will be provided at no cost to dislocated workers needing assistance in the areas of assessment and testing, career counseling, resume writing, interviewing skills, job search methods, on-the-job training and tuition assistance for vocational training or education.

Meetings will be held at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the medical center.

Crossroads Regional Medical Center, owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based Essent Healthcare, has been purchased by St. Louis-based SSM Health Care. Although the center’s 322 employees will be laid off as a result of this change in ownership, several individuals have been interviewed and offered positions with SSM.

Since 1983--when Missouri’s dislocated worker program was established—more than 100,000 dislocated workers have participated in the program. Approximately 80 percent of the people assisted by the program find new employment.

Dislocated workers interested in the training or re-employment services offered through the Rapid Response team can call DWD at 1-800-877-8698. These individuals can also go online at www.rapidresponse.ded.mo.gov/ to access a presentation on the Rapid Response Program, fill out a survey to identify goals for training and re-employment, file an Unemployment Insurance claim, and/or register for work in Great Hires.

Note: All the employees were laid off--with no benefits, seniority, payscale, or position transferring with ownership. Of the 300+ people that worked there, a little over 100 were re-employeed