Meeting Minutes from May 19, 2011
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, May 19, 2011
7:30 A.M.
PA CareerLink of Lancaster County
Annex Conference Room
Present:
Gilbert Abney, Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, James Black, Jacqueline Burch, Michelle Chronister, Barry David, Mark Esterbrook, Stephen Grosh, Christine Herneky, Donald F. Johnson, Jr., Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, William Moulfair, David Nice, Judith Pena, Robert Rhoads, Todd Shultz, Jill Welch
Not Present:
Tom Baldrige, James Everhart, Steve Fries, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Craig Lehman, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, Michael Newman, Pedro Rivera, Fran Rodriguez, Timothy Roschel, Mike Sturla,
Guests:
Jhonda Buchko, Cheryl Hiester, Trish Link, Douglas Schmidt, Gregory Paulson, Yani Serrano, Anna Ramos, Karen Sheehe, Tim Shenk, An'Dionne Smith, Marisela Ortiz
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Lori Rank, Scott Sheely, Rod Kopp, Andrew Garner
Call to Order
Sharon Leese, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:38 am, welcomed everyone, introduced herself, and asked attendees to introduce themselves. Scott mentioned we are meeting in the Auditorium because of all the rain on Monday and water damage in the CareerLink.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes – March 17, 2011
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Robert Rhoads and second by John Levitski.
Order of the Day - Hearing from Our Workforce Partners
Presentations from the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit # 13, the Lancaster-Lebanon Literacy Council, and ABLE Partners
Scott Sheely introduced Tim Shenk, Director of Adult Education with IU # 13; Cheryl Hiester, Director of the Literacy Council, and Trish Link, Assistant Director of Adult Education at IU # 13. They are funded with many sources including local, state, and federal funding sources. Their organizations provide testing and services for GED, ESL, and Adult Basic Education.
Cheryl Hiester mentioned a problem of low literacy levels in Lancaster County with literacy levels being at 15% of adults or 54,319...about the size of Lancaster City. The return on investment is $6.50 on every $1 spent on the program for the LL IU # 13 and Literacy Council. Figures presented showed 1,273 students enrolled in 2009-2010 with 291 obtaining jobs and 703 earning GEDs. Tim Shenk reported entering a new phrase of funding. A combined grant is being applied for from ABLE for the IU # 13 and Literacy Council to work together in combining groups of students and integrating into the PA CareerLink as a transition center for all the programs.
Trish Link reported programs in the PA CareerLink that start at the lower level of GED preparation and go into higher levels of Pre CNA Training. They work with Arbor Youth, do math tutoring for Youth and Adults, TABE Testing to see what training clients are able to handle and more. The Literacy Council is a resource in the PA CareerLink to do assessments and tutoring.
Scott Sheely mentioned they would like your feedback on what skill levels you would like future employees to have when coming to apply for work. From the strategic planning session in March, filling out online applications along with paper applications is a big issue. Digital literacy programs must be retooled to handle this request along with training done online.
In Lancaster County, the PA CareerLink is the only place for GED testing. The IU # 13 cannot handle the volume of clients waiting to get into the GED classes. People cannot get their GED's in a timely manner. There is a waiting list for the GED classes now and, with 17% decrease in funding, the list will probably get longer. Bob Rhoades mentioned that , in industry, the technical side requiring reading and understanding instructions is a big issue. Many people qualify for entry level jobs but stop there because of their skills and do not move up into management or leadership.
Items for Action
Decreasing the Size of the Board of Directors
Scott Sheely reported that, at the March Strategic Planning meeting, the Board recommended that the 37 Board membership should be reduced. With the change in rules and regulations of the State not all CareerLink partners must be on the Board and other changes were possible. He referred to the Board makeup sheet in the packet. With attrition the goal is to reduce the Board membership to 27. The private sector will keep all industry representation.
Decreasing the Size of the Board of Directors over the next 2 years to 27 was approved on motion from the Executive Committee and second by John Levitski. One member was opposed.
Items for Discussion
Emerging Funding Picture and Draft Budget
Scott Sheely reported the current funding picture is coming clearer and, as mentioned previously, some of it is not good. The Industry Partnership Training money from the State was in the budget for $6.6 million last year and this year only $1.6 million was allocated. Lancaster County usually got 10% of this money which amounted to $900,000 to $1 million last year.
TANF took a cut of 15% in funding after having a 10% cuts the last 2 years. Rod reported the WIA allocations for 2011-2012 are up 17-30%. Carry over money from 2010 is very low. There is $190.000 obligated for ITA's into the new year but no new money for training. A preliminary budget is being put together by the Finance committee and will be presented at the June EC for spending authority for the new year and will be presented at the July Board meeting for further review.
The Senate has passed unanimously putting the Industry Partnership Training money as a line item on the State's budget. The House is expected to pass it shortly but all money has been zeroed out of the line item. Everyone was encouraged to contract their Representatives to get it back into the budget. This will be a very challenging year.
Update on Contracting for Workforce Investment Act Title I and EARN Funds: Review of Contracting Process and Preview of the Transition
Scott Sheely reported for Kim Sullenberger. The Title I services for low income, dislocated workers and youth was bid along with the EARN contract for welfare and TANF funding. LETA along with other creditable providers and some national contractors bid on either one or both contacts. There were two teams set up to review all the proposals and rank them. The EARN contract then went to the LMC to review and recommend a contractor while WIA was taken to the Performance Committee to review and recommend a contractor. Rescare, inc. was chosen for Title I; EDSI was chosen for welfare. Both contractors participated in a job fair directed at any LETA staff interested in interviewing for a position. Many LETA employees have received offers of employment with the new contractors. Some have retired from the County and a few others got other jobs or are going back to school.
After approving the contractors, the recommendation was to be taken to the Commissioners for action but, after review of the laws, it was determined the Commissioners did not have to approve the contracts. All contracts will now be approved by the Board. With this change, the Performance Review and Finance committees will need to take more responsibility.
The contractors will have all hiring done by 6/3/11 followed by three weeks of orientation and training to prepare for the transition on July 1, 2011. We expect no differences in the programming as the transition occurs. LETA will be recognized for 10 years of service and Anna Ramos is working on this recognition.
EDSI and Rescare are two good companies and all references checked out. They are ready to move forward in good faith without a contract. Cost of both contracts is less mostly due to less administration costs. Next meeting, a flow of work chart and a table of organizations with names inserted will be distributed.
Staff Reports
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported.....
- A UC law change is in General Assembly now which will require a work search component. This will mean more clients being referred to the PA CareerLink.
- Another round of Manufacturing Skills Factory has started with 12-15 people. At some point, we will give a more in depth presentation of this training. This is short term training that works closely with employers and offers internships to supplement training.
- Scott and Kim presented a program on the wider vision of training at the NAWDP conference in Virginia this week.
- Keith Campbell and Scott Sheely have been both invited to go to Toronto to present at a large national trade show on Mechantronics.
- Scott Sheely closing remark was "This is the Best of Times and the Worst of Times" and we just have to plan for the negative points.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. with Sharon Leese thanking everyone for attending and wishing everyone a good summer.
