Meeting Minutes from March 18, 2010
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board
Minutes
Thursday, March 18, 2010
7:30 A.M.
PA CareerLink of Lancaster County
Annex Conference Room
Present:
Gilbert Abney, James Black, Dr. Brian Barnhart, Barry Brandt, Stephen Grosh, Christine Hertneky, Eric Horn, Donald F. Johnson, Jr., Sharon Leese, John Levitski, Maureen Lewandowski, Jean Martin, Mary Miskey, William Moulfair, Matt Ohlinger, Robert Rhoads, Joe Shiffer, Todd Shultz, Aimee Urban, Jill Welch,
Not Present:
Tom Baldrige, John Biemiller, Jacqueline Burch, Michelle Chronister, Barry David, Jerry Eshleman, Mark Esterbrook, Steve Fries, Jim Germak, Carlos Graupera, Linda Kreider, Craig Lehman, Fran Rodriguez, Mike Sturla, Jim Zimmerman
Guests:
Karen Sheehe, Luis Diaz
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 7:38 am, welcomed everyone and asked attendees to introduce themselves.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes - January 22, 2010
Minutes were approved unanimously on motion from John Levitksi and second from Mary Miskey.
Order of the Day
A Review of the Structure and Relationships of the Workforce Investment Board
Scott Sheely presented an overview of the structure and the funding streams of the Workforce Investment Board and system in Lancaster County. He reviewed the Title I, II, III and IV areas of the Workforce Investment Act established in 1998 by the federal government as well as the funding streams that flow from the enabling legislation. Scott reminded members of the Board and Committee structure.
With the structure and relationships we have, we are able to make good use of our allocation and discretionary funding.
Update on Strategic Planning Action Items
Kim Sullenberger reminded members that one of the issues from the Strategic Planning meeting revolves around the loss of competitive funding. This may affect priorities in programming with possible cuts in the future. She distributed a form in the packet showing all programming and what funding stream covers it. Currently, WIB staff is looking at changes to staffing and facilities along with finding alternative ways to fund key activities out of more stable funding.
Other changes to the Board composition and with regard to changes in the By-Laws are in process or have been made. Negotiations for a new lease continue.
Items for Discussion
Job Summit on March 26 to Announce New Funding for On-the-Job Training and Work Experience for Employers
Scott Sheely invited all the Board members to the Job Summit at the Eden on March 26, 2010. This will open the doors for private sector employers to get help from the public sector to increase workforce through some new funding from the PA Department of Public Welfare.
Review of Pending Bylaw Changes
Corrections in the By-Laws were made to reflect accurate citations within the document along with adding email as a distribution method for notices. The whole document with the changes made were sent out for review to vote on at the May meeting.
Completion of Statement of Financial Interest Forms for 2010
Kim Sullenberger informed everyone it is that time of year to fill out the new Statement of Financial Interests Forms for 2010. Joyce Lenox handed out the new forms to all Board members present and told everyone she has last year's available if anyone wanted to see them to help fill out this year. Forms are due in the WIB office by May 1, 2010.
Update on Youth Activities - Young Parent Grant
Andrew Garner updated everyone the progress of the Young Parent grant. The Arbor program has 56 people with 38 pregnant parents enrolled toward the goal of 200 over two years. An advisory committee of 10 community based people has quarterly meetings to assist in referring people into the program.
Update on Youth Activities - New Project on Dropout Recovery through Career and Technical Education
The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center has received funding with the WIB as the fiscal agent to address dropout recovery. It will serve youth in the Arbor program along with other young people from the County.
Update from the Local Management Committee
Maureen Lewandowski provided an overview of the Local Management Committee which oversees employment and training requirements for all welfare recipients. The money is set by federal government and passed through the WIB. Lancaster Employment and Training Agency is the contractor for welfare programs. The LMC and LETA work together on programs to meet federal guidelines. The Advisory Committee members represent partners who are involved in the program. The Employment Advancement and Retention Network have guidelines to follow with clients to get them back into the workforce. Mandatory participate is required for welfare benefits to continue. Barriers do exist for some clients such as education, drug and physical handicaps. The corporate center is a community service to non-profit and government agencies to provide training for EARN participants. She presented results for February of all participation in the program. She reviews the program and services offered along with requirements.
Update of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation
Kim Sullenberger reported all of the ARRA Adult and dislocated worker money has been spent. The Youth funding will be spent by March with the completion of the Winter Work Program. The Lancaster County WIB is one of 3-4 in the state that is fully expended. There may be more funding coming for another summer work program. Since the stimulus money has been spent the PA CareerLink and Lancaster Employment and Training Agency is shifting its focus from training to placements for clients going through the training.
Only 3.85 staff people have been added with these funds and only 2 vendors have had more than $25,000 or more paid out to them. There are many more activities to report as seen on the ARRA report but it does not get reported to government. All the information is also available on the website.
An additional $800,000 rapid response money has been applied for to carry over for next year for obligations from this year.
Items for Approval
ARRA Reporting for February 2010
Rod Kopp reviewed the ARRA Report for February 2010. The Plan has expanded to include all Rapid Response funds that increased to $1,525, 000. A small Regional Career Education Program grant for $60,000 will also be awarded from stimulus funds. The RCEP funding comes out of stimulus money to support job shadowing and career camps and will be spent by the end of June 30, 2010. There are no new ITAs as no money was available.
Approval of the February, 2010 ARRA Report on motion by William Moulfair and second by John Lewinski.
Staff Reports
Fiscal Officer
Rod Kopp reviewed the Financial Report through February 2010. He reported the adult formula funding is 86% spent and the Youth and Dislocated Worker is 100% spent. Rod reported there has been $1.3 million in ITAs so far this year...by far the highest amount with four months to go in the fiscal year. Our major concern right now is for next year and how to sustain the level of programming or adjust it to a level which is justified by the funding.
Youth Coordinator
Andrew Garner reviewed the Youth Council events listed on the handout and the Summer of Stem camps flyer in the packet. Rod and Andrew mentioned most of the events are funded by the RCEP grant. Job Shadowing will take place April 19-23, 2010 with Dominic DeFilippo contracted to do the workshops and set up the panels for placements of students. The Industry Tours will be held in June with Penn State offering credits for educators this year. Many organizations have again going together to do a regional STEM career camps campaign.
Executive Director
Scott Sheely reported:
- The WIB was recognized at the National Association of Workforce Boards for excellence in Industry Partnership work. Jim Black accepted in Washington DC accompanied by Board, staff and contractors. This was a huge honor to be recognized by our peers and chosen from many qualified people around the country.
- Scott Sheely recognized Kim Sullenberger for her many contributions to the system locally and to the State. She is helping the State to work out all the details with the new TANF funding. She has lots of detail knowledge that has been very helpful to the State. She has also played a major part of tapping into an additional $2.3 million in Rapid Response funds to allow ITAs to open up again for enrollment. We are waiting to hear on the last request of $800,000.
The Board gave a round of applause to all the Staff on a job well done with all the stimulus funds received and implementation in very successful programming.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9.20a.m.with Jim Black thanking everyone for coming.
