Meeting Minutes from September 15, 2011

Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board

Minutes

Thursday, September 15, 2011

7:30 A.M.

PA CareerLink of Lancaster County

Room # 18

Present: Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, James Black, Barry David, Mark Esterbrook, Steve Fries, Stephen Grosh, Christine Herneky, Fran Rodriguez, Jill Welch

Not Present: Tom Baldrige, Jacqueline Burch, Michelle Chronister, James Everhart, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson, Jr., Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Michael Newman, David Nice, Judith Pena, Robert Rhoads, Pedro Rivera, Timothy Roschel, Todd Schultz, Mike Sturla,

Guests: Alicia Brownell, Nilsa Crespo, Bea Landis, Anna Ramos, Gary Grube, Marisela Ortiz, Yani Serrano, Maureen Westcott, Gerald Simmons, Tom Woronko, An' Dionne Smith, Marybeth Stover, Willie Thompson, Anthony Bell, Karen Sheehe

Staff: Joyce Lenox, Lori Rank, Scott Sheely, Rod Kopp, Andrew Garner, Kim Sullenberger

Call to Order

James Black called the meeting to order at 7:37 am, welcomed everyone, and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes – May 19, 2011

Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Steve Fries and second by John Biemiller with electronic votes by Linda Kreider, Jean Martin, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Eric Horn, Tim Roschel, Mike Newman, Todd Shultz, Judith Pena and William Moulfair.

Approval of Minutes – July 21, 2011

Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Steve Fries and second by John Biemiller with electronic votes by Linda Kreider, Jean Martin, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Eric Horn, Tim Roschel, Mike Newman, Todd Shultz, Judith Pena and William Moulfair.

Items for Action

Approval of the 2011-2012 Operating Budget

Rod presented the proposed 2011-2012 budget. WIA funding is down 29% or about $1.2 million due to loss of ARRA funds; EARN is down 40% or $761,000 while TANF youth funding is up 6%. Industry Partnerships funding has yet to be determined; $100,000 is an estimate. Carry-over funding is also lower than past years.

In previous years, carry-over funds were used to get through the first quarter of the new fiscal year until funds from the new budget take effect. With lower funding, there is not as much carry-over and cash flow could be a problem in the next fiscal year. There is presently no line of credit. We do not have a borrowing policy currently but the Finance Committee will be working with staff on policies and practices for doing this in the future. The Finance Committee is looking for a few more private sector members to help with fiscal issues..

The 2011-2012 Operating Budget was approved unanimously on motion from the Finance Committee and second by Mark Esterbrook with electronic votes by Linda Kreider, Jean Martin, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Eric Horn, Tim Roschel, Mike Newman, Todd Shultz, Judith Pena and William Moulfair.

Approval of the Revised Local Plan

Scott Sheely reported that, with the changes at the PA CareerLink, with new contractors for the EARN and WIA programs, and with the County giving up the fiscal agent role and the WIB taking it over as of July 1, 2011, the Local Plan needed revised to reflect these changes. A Local Plan Modification Summary Form was included in the packet noting all the changes. The revised Local Plan was taken before the Executive Committee before putting it out for public comment. Revisions to the Local Plan were advertised in the newspaper and available on the website for a period of 30 days during the month of August. The Executive Committee then approved it as a recommendation to the Board.

The Revised Local Plan was approved unanimously on motion from the Executive Committee and second by Stephen Grosh with electronic votes by Linda Kreider, Jean Martin, Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Eric Horn, Tim Roschel, Mike Newman, Todd Shultz, Judith Pena and William Moulfair.

Order of the Day – Tour of the PA CareerLink

Steve Fries asked for an update on the transition of employees from LETA to the new contractors. Of the 38 LETA employees, 3 became WIB employees, ten went with ResCare, and seven went with EDSI, 6-7 retired, a few others got other jobs or went back to school. Of all of those interviewed, only 5 were not hired by the new contractors.

Lori Rank presented totals from last year for visits and service referrals in the PA CareerLink. Both of the new contractors have done extensive training with employees and the morale of the staff is greatly improved. On the tour, Board members saw the consolidation of the EARN Program into one area to make room for the Job Club to move back down into the PA CareerLink proper and a much smaller space.

Cosmetic work such as patching and painting of walls and carpet cleaning is being done to improve the appearance. Along with the renovations, surplus furniture has become available and a plan to move it around is in place. A tour of the CareerLink was done around 8:30 am. and the Board meeting reconvened around 8:50 am. Questions were answered as to loss of space for classrooms to EARN. Jill Welch asked about consulting a space planner, which was done months ago when the lease was being negotiated. By moving Job Club around $100,000 is being saved on rent annually. With the master lease, there is availability to give up bigger rooms and reduce rental space as needed in the next few years.

Items for Discussion

CAP Decision to Leave the PA CareerLink

Mark Esterbrook gave an overview of CAP as a human services agency. It services 35,000 people yearly with 32 programs in 24 locations and a budget of $48 million. They are 95% federal and state funded. They have lost four programs and 100 staff over the last few years and had a $1.8 million deficient. CAP is restructuring and consolidating facilities and programs from 21 to 16 locations.

The work experience program that was run out of the PA CareerLink is relocating to another CAP location. More downsizing may be needed depending on the federal budget. Paying rent to the PA CareerLink was an expense eliminated in the CAP budget. Consideration was also given to expenses for administration from the RSA along with CAP overhead and keeping within State level guidelines of 18-19 %. The work ready program has been relocated within 2 blocks from County Assistance Office, which is good for the clients that use the program.

All PA CareerLink partners and the WIB will feel the effect of the move. Coordinating services of clients will be a challenge. PA CareerLink and WIB staff are working with CAP staff to assure that linkages between the two agencies remain intact. Mark is hopeful that in a few years they will be able to come back into the CareerLink as funding allows.

Overview of Spending for Training

Scott Sheely reported that, until the close-out was done, we did not know how much was available for training. With funding cuts, less money will be available for new Individual Training Accounts, which send people to formal education and training programs. More funding will be spent on short-term skill based training such as printing, construction, forklift and welding, which are all done in eight weeks or less. Metrix Learning has many courses available for short-term training that can be done online. Courses such as project management and Microsoft certification are available with many other certificates available to clients. A much higher impact can be made with numerous clients with less money.

Introduction to Social Enterprises

Scott Sheely reported for every job opening there are more than 4 people available but many non-traditional workers are never in the running for consideration at all because of a lack of training or experience. With funding cut backs, it is very hard to get these people into the workforce. The Executive Committee has approved limited funding to explore options for setting up non-profit social enterprises to conduct for-profit activities to employ clients for training, earn money, and have references. Don Johnson suggested checking with Barley, Snyder on the legal logistics of such organizations. Applications have been submitted to the Lancaster County Community Foundation and DCED for grants to start 2-3 business. The goal is to have clients finish training, work for 6 months to get work experience and history, and then find a full-time job.

Update on Industry Partnership Funding

Scott Sheely reported money was allocated for Industry Partnership Training in the PA budget went down from $6.6 million last year to $1.6 million this year. Applications have been submitted. We have not heard anything on awards yet but, based on previous years, we budgeted for $100,000. There will be limited incumbent worker training available with training priorities on more industries. All the money will be spent on industries with 100% match by employers.

Staff Reports

Youth Coordinator

Andrew Garner reported that, following the 2010 Gap Analysis workshop, it was determined that the two under-represented aspects of the CEW Standards were entrepreneurship and elementary awareness activities across the standards. On September 29, there is going to be an Entrepreneurship Workshop from 7:30 -11:30 am for K-12 educators. There will be a panel on Entrepreneurship and a panel and a presentation on Community Resources available. A Health Career Expo is being held November 4 at McCaskey showcasing Health Career for high school students. The Pathways to Gold Collar Careers night is being held on November 9 at the Farm and Home Center for middle school students and their parents. Employers are needed to exhibit.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for attending.

Next Meeting

Thursday, November 17, 2011

7:30 a.m.

PA CareerLink of Lancaster County

1016 N. Charlotte Street

Lancaster, PA 17603