Meeting Minutes from July 16, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, July 16, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
Gilbert Abney, John Biemiller, James Black, Barry Brandt, Jacqueline Burch, Steve Fries, Stephen Grosh, Christine Hertneky, Sharon Leese, Craig Lehman, John Levitski, William Moulfair, Judy Naylor, Matt Ohlinger, Todd Shultz, Michelle Snavely, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch,
Not Present:
Thomas Baldrige, Dr. Brian Barnhart, Barry David, Jerry Eshleman, Mark Esterbrook, Dr. Robert Frick, Jim Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, Robert Rhoads, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Arisleyda Caulderon, Rev Scott Fischer, Nicole Forthman, Bea Landis, Sherry Lupton, Marisela Ortiz, Anna Ramos, Karen Sheehe, An'Dionne Smith, Lisa Touchton, Beth Crosby for Dr. Brian Barnhart, Michael Thornton, Nate Bomberger for Rep Mike Sturla
Staff:
Joyce Lenox, Rod Kopp, Andrew Garner, Kim Sullenberger
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 - May 21, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from John Levitski and second from Matt Ohlinger.
Order of the Day
A Review of Youth Programming for 2008-2009
Andrew Garner introduced Youth Council members and Arbor staff who were present. Andrew led a presentation on Youth Council activities over the last year with a reference to objectives and goals in the WIB Strategic Plan. The three main areas of concentration in programming have been more education, raising the literacy rate, and obtaining credentials. Andrew reviewed the two in-school youth programs with Arbor and the two out-of-school youth programs operating with IU # 13 and LCCTC.
Lisa Touchton from Arbor thanked everyone for being able to service clients and expand the Building Bridges program. Key parts of the program involve employers coming in and talking with the students as well as linking with pre-employment training and ITAs through the PA CareerLink. GED continues to be a priority. There is currently a 90 person waiting list to get into the program and 20 youth are in the American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) summer work program. Nicole Forthman, a participant, spoke about her experience with the program and thanked everyone for the opportunity for getting her GED and continuing training with Consolidated School of Business.
Andrew Garner spoke about the programs funded with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) youth grants. Schools receive funds for career education related to the seven priority Industry Clusters. The Career Connect program of The Lancaster Chamber and a health careers program from the Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences also receive money from these funds. The Youth Career Summit held every year in January brings education and employers together to discuss relevant issues. A job shadowing program has been very successful with workshops and young people being placed with employers.
Extra programs have been possible through a Regional Career Education Partnership Grant that enhances additional Youth Council initiatives. Pathways to Gold Collar Career Night brings parents and their middle school students to an event which encourages them to think about career and the education paths required to get to them. Industry Tours for teachers and other school personnel are in June with education partners traveling to business to see and hear from employers what they are looking for in employees and what education they will need.
This year, the Career Camps held in June worked together with seven other organization to jointly promote a program which emphasized STEM (called the Summer of STEM). All of the partners experienced a boost in their numbers as a result of the cooperative effort.
For the coming year, there is a $1 million dollar, three year Young Parent Grant that will focus on math and technology, mentoring, internships and a bigger skill portfolio for young parents to be able to get better jobs and support families.
Anna Ramos provided an update of the 2009 Summer Youth Program. There are five field reps and one coordinator providing supervision for the students. There have been seven recruitment events in the community for approval, eligibility and requests for a worksite. Supervisor training for work sites along with participant training around rules and regulations have been held. Tri-Star was hired through a competitive bidding process as the employer of record. Program starts occurred throughout the summer.
Items for Discussion
Update of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation
Kim Sullenberger and Anna Ramos reported the adult and dislocated worker programs have served more in the last 2 months than in years. The Job Club numbers have increased with lots of interviews and a fair number of people finding work. Jobs are out there but very hard to find. Numbers and funding of ITAs are on track. Reporting to the State and the federal government is very rigid and must be done every month. The approved ARRA budget along with the monthly expenditures approved monthly by the Executive Committee is posted on the website.
2009-2010 Budget Briefing
Rod Kopp reported on the preliminary budget approved by the Executive Committee in June for initial spending authority. There are still so many unknowns that a final budget is hard to put together. The budget being presented for action is what we know at this time. Rod also reviewed the ARRA budget and expenditure report and the Board was asked to approve the ARRA budget.
The ARRA Budget was approved unanimously on motion from John Levitski and second from William Moulfair.
Industry Partnership Funding in Jeopardy
Kim Sullenberger reported industry partnership funding has been in jeopardy in the current State budget negotiations. Members are encouraged to be in contact with their local elected officials if they support retaining the funding.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reviewed the May financial report. The 09-10 funds from the state have been keeping everyone in suspense. Since 40% of the stimulus money has been spent as of 6/30/09 on spending authority, there could be a crunch time if the State budget does not get approved and cash flow could be a problem.
Executive Director
Kim Sullenberger reported for Scott Sheely...
- The State stimulus money that was applied for in April-May was put on the financial system in July and is not yet available to fund pre-employment and Ready2Work.
- The $1.7 million IPT money requested has been zeroed out of the State budget and will probably not be available this year.
- The Train to Work Program with United Way has been funded by the State. The United Way will be linking people who want to work (volunteer) into programs and worksite that need people.
- Kim Sullenberger and Andrew Garner will be going to Washington DC for training for the new Young Parent Grant.
- The Regional Innovation Grant had its wrap up in June and is exploring ways to continue its work with the packaging industry.
- The Mechantronics Competency Model which was developed by the WIB has been approved by the US Department of Labor and will be posted on the DOL site.
- The State has requested a revised local plan through June 30, 2010 to be posted for 30 days for public comment and due into the State in mid-September.
- Rod and Kim have been working on the year end close out and all the IPT grants have been fully expended. The Adult, Dislocated Worker and TANF have all been spent been all spent or obligated with little carryover into this year.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
