The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers the Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH) program through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). PATH helps participants obtain and maintain employment, earn wages and develop self-sufficiency by providing work activities, job training and employability skills. These services are administered locally through your local Michigan Works! agency.

In addition to providing job training services, PATH can connect participants with additional community resources to meet an individual's needs. The majority of PATH participants face barriers such as lack of transportation, job search skills, money for work clothes and childcare. Participants who complete the program earn an average of $2,000 more per year than their peers.

“Michigan’s PATH initiative exemplifies the state’s collaborative efforts across departments to guide Michiganders toward promising careers and provide businesses with the skilled workforce they need to succeed,” said Susan Corbin, LEO director. “This transformative initiative helps Michiganders bring home bigger paychecks, and propels our workforce and economy toward a brighter, more prosperous future.”

The collaboration between MDHHS and LEO allows the departments to better serve Michiganders by working together to fill the needs of PATH participants. MDHHS provides services to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the participants and their families, while LEO provides job readiness skills and resources to help participants get back to work.

“This partnership with LEO allows MDHHS to meet our goal of providing Michigan residents with easy access to benefits and to services that help them realize their dreams,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “While LEO focuses on helping PATH participants get back to work, MDHHS can work to provide benefits such as food assistance, health care and more."



During fiscal year 2023, the PATH program provided training and supportive services to more than 8,000 individuals across Michigan. More than half of these participants transitioned out of public assistance programs and successfully started new careers!

“Each person faces different obstacles on their career and education pathways,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Programs like PATH allow us to work with each participant individually to identify the types of supports needed and connect them to the right resources."

PATH program services are provided locally through Michigan Works! West Central. To find your local Michigan Works! West Central service center, visit MWWC.org/contact. More information about the program is available at Michigan.gov/PATH.