CNMI Office of Veterans Affairs Executive Officer Stanley T. Iakopo earlier this year met with Commander of the 9th Mission Support Command (MSC) Colonel Mark W. Siekman at the US Army Reserve Headquarters Fort Shafter Honolulu, Hawaii. 

The CNMI Veterans Affairs Office (VAO) under the Office of the Governor continue to address Veterans’ healthcare challenges, such as the vendorization of CHCC Pharmacies on all three islands, credentialing and increasing numbers of Healthcare Providers on all three islands, and asking our only inter-island commuter airline, Star Marianas Air, to become a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vendor.

The Governor’s State Workforce Development Board convened on March 11, 2022 under the leadership of the newly appointed Chairperson, Velma Palacios.  A part of the agenda included the continued eligibility of the Northern Marianas College, Guam Marianas Training Center, and the Island Training Solutions as approved providers of training for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs administered by the Department of Labor – Workforce Investment Agency. 

The CNMI Department of Labor – Workforce Investment Agency held business engagement-information sessions on March 2 in Tinian and March 8 in Rota.  Members of the business community, from both public and private sectors, received information on services from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the CNMI Apprenticeship State Expansion Programs to support their workforce needs. Both sessions were well attended.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) announce that the CNMI has adopted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new COVID-19 metric of Community Levels.

On February 18, 2022, the CNMI Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE) Program was approved for another year by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The no-cost extension was awarded for performance until June 30, 2023. Initially, the grant awarded to the CNMI Department of Labor-Workforce Investment Agency Division would have ended on June 30 of this year.

WHEREAS, The CNMI Disability Network Partners has embraced the theme “Worlds Imagined” in recognition of Developmental Disabilities and Employment Awareness Month.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres on Monday announced the safe completion of the interim removal action (IRA) of hazardous munitions at the CNMI Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation (SAAR) Program’s HOPE Recovery Center in Marpi, made possible through the coordinated efforts of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), HydroGeoLogic, the HOPE Recovery Center Staff, and CNMI government departments and agencies. 

WHEREAS, in times of crisis, people in here in the CNMI come together to care for one another. This humanitarian spirit is part of the foundation of our community and is exemplified by American Red Cross volunteers and donors.