Meeting Minutes from November 19, 2009
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, November 19, 2009
7:30 a.m.
CareerLink Annex
Present:
James Black, Gilbert Abney, Dr. Brian Barnhart, Barry Brandt, Mark Esterbrook, Dr. Robert Frick, Steve Fries, Stephen Grosh, Christine Hertneky, Donald F. Johnson Jr., Sharon Leese, Maureen Lewandowski, William Moulfair, Judy Naylor, Robert Rhoads, Joe Shiffer, Michelle Chronister, Jill Welch,
Not Present:
Tom Baldrige, John Biemiller, Jacqueline Burch, Barry David, Jerry Eshleman, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Eric Horn, Linda Kreider, Craig Lehman, John Levitski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, Matt Ohlinger, Fran Rodriguez, Todd Shultz, Mike Sturla, Aimee Urban, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Mirna Alvarado, Karen Buynak, Anna Ramos, Pedro Rivera, Douglas Schmidt, Karen Sheehe, Martin Wubbolt, Jane Lundsten, Tom Showalter, Thomas Woronko, Beth Crosby, Catherine Long, Bryan Weathers
Staff:
Andrew Garner, Joyce Lenox, Kim Sullenberger, Rod Kopp, Lori Rank, 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 - September 17, 2009
Minutes were approved unanimously with Linda Kreider voting by email on November 22, 2009 on motion from Robert Brandt and second from Mark Esterbrook.
Order of the Day
Review of Activities of the PA CareerLink of Lancaster County for 2008-2009
Lori Rank introduced staff people and named the 18 agencies partnering in the PA CareerLink. She presented statistics on customers using the PA CareerLink and noted the increased volume of customers. With the help of other staff, she reviewed the services available to customers through the PA CareerLink along with some success stories of clients using them. Tracking placements has been a focus of data collection.
With the economic challenges this year, Here to Help Day held May 6, 2009 and Train for the Future held April 29, 2009 were open to the public to get information or access paperwork to sign up for programs or help as needed. The Convention Center opening provided opportunities for clients but also helped raise the visibility of the PA CareerLink which handled the hiring.
With the Stimulus money, the Summer Youth Employment program used the PA CareerLink and the Ready 2 Work program for these Youth. Lori recognized Andrew Garner and Anna Ramos for all the work in getting this Summer Youth Employment Program up and running.
Scott Sheely mentioned that, with a 52% increase in customers, having staff to accommodate the increase in client load and having space for all the programs has been a challenge. The Individual Training Accounts have been temporarily shut down due to funding. Renegotiating the lease is also in the works as the current lease expires in December 2010. Statistics and more information can be found in the PowerPoint presented at the meeting.
Report of Activities from the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit # 13
On behalf of the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit #13, Dr. Brian Barnhart reported that adult education and English as second language services have increased their presence in the workforce readiness process of the PA CareerLink. Presently there are 2000-3000 waiting to get into the GED program. The Workforce Investment Board has funded $100,000 in additional services in the PA CareerLink. A full-time math teacher has been added with classes in the morning and tutoring available in the afternoon for both programs. Dr. Brian Barnhart handed out the Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit # 13 Community Report for 2009-2011 which highlights their services and organization.
Items for Discussion
Notice of Impending Changes in Bylaws
Kim Sullenberger mentioned that there will be possible changes to the Bylaws due to changes in Board composition mandated by the State. Changes will be sent out 10 day prior to voting to be done possibly at the January meeting.
Update on Youth Activities
At its September meeting, Andrew Garner reported that the Youth Council recommended extending the Summer Youth Employment program for 18-24 year olds through the winter. They are looking to extend the work time from 6 weeks to 12 weeks and add more work sites. Many of the workers will also attend the pre employment classes.
Recently, the Youth Council wrote a letter to Hilda Solis regarding changes to the WIA reauthorization and the eligibility requirement for youth. It was hand delivered to Jane Oates in Washington DC by Scott Sheely. The Pathways to Gold Collar Careers night was held November 12, 2009. Attendance was great with most school districts attending. The workshops were full and 52 exhibitors were present. Sharon Leese mentioned she lost her voice by the end of the night with talking to so many students.
Update of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation
Kim reported that the first major ARRA report has been completed. The Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board website at www.LancasterCountyWIB.com has all the monthly reporting on it.
Industry Partnership Funding
Scott Sheely reported the Industry Partnership funding had $9.2 million put back into the State Budget after being zeroed out. Last year, we received $1.6 million and this year we were awarded $990,000 in funding.
Items for Approval
ARRA Reporting for October 2009
Rod Kopp reviewed the ARRA Report for October 2009. The figures will not change much going forward since most of the money has been spent. Youth money is available and will continue to be used as the Summer Youth Employment Program continues through the winter. The average ITA was $4,475.
Approval of the October, 2009 ARRA Report with email vote by Linda Kreider on motion by Judy Naylor and second by Dr. Robert Frick.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reviewed the Financial Report for July 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. The adult and dislocated worker funds are 100% obligated, including $750,000 in additional rapid response money received in September 2009. In the period of July - November 12, 2009, there were 295 ITAs approved compared to 53 in all of last fiscal year. EARN lost 10% or $200,000 of its funding this year. The WIB is 12% ahead of the budget but most of these are up front charges that will balance out as the year goes on. Short term training is 12% over last year.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported:
- Congress and President Obama are steering the economy towards job creation. In partnership with the Lancaster Chamber and Economic Development, the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board is planning a Job in April or May. The Lancaster County Association for Human Resource Management will be a co-sponsor.
- The Workforce Investment Board is going to hold a strategic planning meeting in January 2010 as an early morning meeting. This strategic plan will cover 3 years. A new plan must be put into place by July 1, 2010.
- The Workforce Summit is being held December 10, 2009 at the Eden. The topic will be Getting Ex-Offenders Back to Work.
- D & E has reported a layoff of 300 people which will take place in December and January.
- Scott co-chaired the National Network of Sector Partners conference in Washington DC where Hilda Solis and Jane Oates were featured speakers.
- Social networking and connecting with Linklin groups is part of Scott's agenda. You may be asked to join. If people have questions or concerns, call Scott.
- The City received $450,000 to rehabilitate 10 homes. General contractors are being hired to oversee the project. Construction and Building Maintenance graduates are being organized into a course called Construction 201 to do the work on this job.
- The Warden of the Lancaster County Prison is working on allowing work release inmates to do training at the PA CareerLink. A full time probation office officer will be on site in the Ready 2 Work area to oversee this program and other ex-offenders who are involved in programming.
- Scott complimented the staff for all their hard work with the increased numbers and workload.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9.04 a.m. with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
