Meeting Minutes from May 21, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, May 21, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
James Black, Barry Brandt, Barry David, Mark Esterbrook, Dr. Robert Frick, Steve Fries, Stephen Grosh, Carlos Graupera, Christine Hertneky, Linda Kreider, Sharon Leese, Craig Lehman, Maureen Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Judy Naylor, Matt Ohlinger, Robert Rhoads, Todd Shultz, Michelle Snavely, Mark Sprunger, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch,
Not Present:
Gilbert Abney, Tom Baldrige, Dr. Brian Barnhart, John Biemiller, Jacqueline Burch, Jerry Eshleman, Jim Germak, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson Jr., John Levitski, Marysol Ortiz, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Michael Burcin, Jay Lance, Kenneth Newmann, Anna Ramos, Joellen Rowe, Sandra Strunk, Martin Wubbolt, Beth Ann Haas, Karen Sheehe, Marisela Ortiz, Sherry Roberts, An'Dionne Smith, Bea Landis
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Rod Kopp, Lori Rank, Andrew Garner, Scott Sheely
Call to Order
Jim Black, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:36 am, welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - March 19, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from Aimee Urban and second from Judy Naylor.
Acceptance of Audit Report
Rod Kopp reported the auditors had no findings or no management letter for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. All previous findings have been cleared and there are no new recommendations.
Recognition of STEM Design Challenge Team from Lampeter-Strasburg School District
Scott Sheely that the Lancaster County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) sponsored a STEM Curriculum Challenge to teams from Lancaster County schools. A team from Martin Mylin Middle School was picked as the winning team. Their project involved a project related to health prevention and information that they did with the assistance of Alice Yoder at Lancaster General. The teachers explained their concept and how it involved STEM with the students. Team members and the school were recognized with cash awards.
Order of the Day
A Review of Stimulus-Funded Program Expansion?
Scott Sheely reported $1.8 million in Stimulus funding awarded to the County. Many new training programs have been added..
Anna Ramos reported on the Train for the Future day where 177 eligibility intakes were done on the spot done and dozens scheduled. Eligibility for Individual Training Account has been opened up to allow more flexibility and accessibility. Dollar limits have been increased and will make more folks. Anna explained what is needed to be eligible for these funds.
Martin Wubbolt reviewed the Ready2Work program and pre-employment classes now available in the CareerLink along with the steps to get into these programs. Christine Hernteky spoke about how Donnelley looks at this program and training and how they feel it makes people better employees. The CareerLink has seen double and sometimes triple the numbers of people going through Ready2Work. Scott mentioned how credentials can be stacked with pre-employment classes and make someone more employable. He mentioned that new classes in keyboarding, heavy equipment and building maintenance have been added. All training added leads to qualification for high priority occupations.
Mark Sprunger explained all ITA candidates can do Ready2Work and Pre-employment classes while eligibility for ITA's is being determined. Applications for ITA's have increased dramatically since the new training has been added. Administrative Support, Keyboarding, Bookkeeping, Medical Secretary, Legal Secretary, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical are some of the new offerings. People often qualify for more than one training now that the funding limits have been raised.
Mark also reported that when skill sets are where they need to be, people can be filtered back into the workforce by using Job Club services. Space has tripled in the last month to accommodate the additional clients registered. Numbers have increased from about 30 to 100 customers being served at one time. Time frame in finding a job has increased from 6-8 weeks in Job Club to now 10-12 weeks. Job Club teaches many skills to job hunters such as resume writing, tape interviews to correct mistakes being made, and cold calling where jobs haven't been advertised yet.
Scott Sheely mentioned there is a contract pending with United Way for a volunteer program that will allow unemployed people to do service learning which will be like an internship and may open up temp to hire opportunities as the economy gets better.
Andrew Garner reported the summer youth program has more guidelines to follow but must still meet eligibility requirements. It is for 14-24 year olds. Job sites for over 300 jobs for youth have been found. All 16-24 year olds will complete Ready2Work and Alchemy and are eligible for the pre-employment classes. They eventually can get into ITA training if they are interested. The younger 14-15 group is more of a challenge because of child labor laws. They are eligible for career camps plus experience of one week at a job. Summer Youth Employment Program will start in July and go for 6 weeks. Many of the older youth are focusing on skill and academic levels. There are 250-300 youths expected to be served.
New Obligations under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA)
Scott reported under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there is a high level of accountability with lots of transparency required. There will be an ARRA Budget and reports on all expenditures approved by the Executive Committee monthly. Rod Kopp reviewed the budget and expenditure report to date for everyone. With stimulus money the goal is to get the money out fast. The Budget will be posted on a new section on the website at www.lancastercountywib.com and the expenditures will be posted after approval by the Executive Committee monthly.
Approval of ARRA Plan for Lancaster County
Scott Sheely reported the plan was emailed to all for review before the meeting. Hiring of staff has been limited to four. Procurement will be accomplished through normal processes. The CareerLink would like to be the place of choice for hiring by employers. Business Services will be increased to bring employers and employees together as jobs start to open up. All funding will end June 30, 2010. Training has been implemented which fills in the gaps from short term training to long term training. A Here to Help Day was held per the Governor's request to inform people where they can find resources to help in this tough economy. The ARRA Plan follows the Board's strategic plan. Carlos Graupera mentioned concern of a population being missed in the Plan based on language and culture barriers. The Commonwealth has approved the Lancaster County Plan.
The ARRA plan was approved unanimously on motion from William Moulfair and seconded by Mark Esterbrook.
Items for Discussion
Budget Update
Rod Kopp reviewed the Workforce Investment Act allocations for next year for Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers. They have mostly increased. The amount budgeted for Individual Training Accounts will be higher for next year. The Industry Partnership Training Grants are uncertain at this time and will have to wait until the State budget is approved. Rod also presented the April 2009 financial report and mentioned all the money is in line to be spent for the current year with all goals and requirements met.
Industry Partnership Funding in Jeopardy
Scott Sheely reported the Industry Partnership Training Grants are at this time not in the State budget. These provide for the training for incumbent workers to be trained with the WIB paying 60% and the employers paying 40%. These also fund much of the pre-employment training. Businesses need to reach out to legislators with letters and phone calls to inform them how important this money is to them.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Time did not allow for Fiscal Officer report.
Youth Coordinator
Time did not allow for Youth Coordinator report but Andrew Garner did hand out information on events coming up.
Executive Director
Time did not allow for Executive Director report.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
