Attendance
Members:
Patrick Baker, Dave McIntire, Eric Daniels, Kevin Greaney, E.C.
Townsend, Bill McDonnell, Stan Hutchison, Phil Bramble, Beverly
Churchill, Charles Sommers, Connie Overington , Royce Sampson,
Sam Mehta, Jim Krahn, Gwen Handy
Staff: Dan McDermott, Melissa Mackey, Brenda Marzucco, Patricia
Garfield
Guest: Trudy
Chara: Governor’s Workforce Investment Board
Call to
Order
The meeting was
called to order at 5:40 pm by Vice President Sam Mehta
Approval of
Minutes
The Members
discussed the Minutes of the January 29, 2008 Meeting.
A motion to
accept the minutes as presented was offered by Dave Mclntire.
A second of the
motion was offered by Beverly Churchill.
The minutes
were accepted unanimously.
Adult and
Dislocated Worker Program Recommendations
Basic
Computer Classes as a Core Service
Ms. Mackey
presented recommendations to the Members concerning the delivery
of services to Adults and Dislocated Workers. At the inception
of WIA, the operational plan outlined the process flow of
customers within the one-stop tiered system beginning with
Core services, Intensive services and
then Training services. The rationale is that as
someone begins interaction with the One-Stop “system” the first
priority (tier 1) is connecting to work; as that does not
happen, the customer is referred to tier 2, or Intensive
services where more specific case management can occur to
determine what barriers need to be removed before the customer
can connect to work. If the customer is still not able to
connect to work after intervention from Intensive services, they
are considered for tier 3, occupational skills Training. In the
past, adult basic education and computer competency skills
building have been in the Intensive category.
The purpose of
this proposal is a philosophical change that would incorporate
both computer competencies and basic educational goals into the
Core services category. It would also open up the participation
to many more customers in the One-Stop arena. The consequences
of this action would be that fewer worker candidates would be
enrolled as “occupational training” participants, but would be
served through a budgeted amount set aside for open enrollment
candidates. These candidates would still be required to attend
workshops for job connecting skills outlined in our
Ready-to-Work program, but would be referred to computer or
Basic Ed before enrollment in training components.
Another
consideration for these customers is that Core service
participation would not be counted for or against performance
standards until which time (if at all) they become enrolled in
occupational training programs.
A motion was
made by Kevin Greaney to approve the change in customer flow to
include basic literacy and computer competency programs in
budget for Core services, decreasing the budgeted amount
available for occupational Training programs in the budget. A
second to the motion was provided by Charles Sommers.
The motion was
accepted unanimously
Training Cap
Increase
Ms. Mackey
presented a recommendation for increasing the Training Cap from
$ 4,000 to $ 4,500. Currently (and since its inception) the
USWIB training cap is $4000. Some areas in the state have
training caps as high as $6000. Recently, we have been given
notice that one of our primary training vendors, Chesapeake
College, has had to increase the cost of the Commercial Driver’s
License (CDL) training tuition to above the $4000 amount. In
the past, there have been exceptions to this policy that are
outlined in the procedures as requiring approval and
justification. For this situation, it would be prudent for the
USWIB to consider raising the cap, not just for CDL students,
but in general to allow for tuition adjustments in many other
vendor-related programs. For some vendors, customers are
required to apply for additional funding through PELL grants and
other scholarships, including loan programs to make up for what
is over and above the training cap. The consequence of this
action will be that fewer training grants will be approved
(based upon our fixed pie funding), but it will also assist
those customers who can least afford to acquire loans or other
funding to make up the difference.
A motion was
made by Bill McDonnell to increase the training cap to $ 4,500.
A second to the motion was provided by Kevin Greaney.
The motion was
approved unanimously.
Trade Act
Training Cap
Ms. Mackey
presented a recommendation for increasing the Training Cap for
Trade Act participants from $ 4,000 to $ 6,000. In the last 5
years, it has been apparent that the trade customers are more
likely to require specialized training programs and vendors that
are proprietary in nature with regard to specialized jobs
relevant to the jobs lost. In the case of the Black and Decker
project, we requested special approval 19 times for training
vendors whose costs were above the $4000 cap. A $ 6,000 cap
would allow for the instances where specialized training can be
made available without the customer incurring loans.
A motion was
made by Phil Bramble to increase the Trade Act training cap from
$ 4,000 to $ 6,000.
A second to the
motion was provided by Patrick Baker.
The motion was
approved unanimously.
Mobile One
Stop Status
Mr. McDermott
presented the current status of the Mobile One Stop procurement.
The WIB through its fiscal agent, Chesapeake College, released
the Request For Proposals (RFP) for a Mobile One Stop. The RFP
included the Mobile One Stop and an option for a trade in of the
existing vehicle. The RFP asked vendors to be creative in the
floor plan and to incorporate as many of the characteristics of
a “bricks and mortar” One Stop into the design as possible. The
RFP was advertised in the local newspapers, was posted on the
Chesapeake College web page and was sent to 13 specialty vehicle
manufacturers.
The RFP
generated three responses.
In order to
purchase a new Mobile One Stop a portion of the vehicle will
need to be funded with the current year’s budget. This is
possible if the contract is awarded before June 30, 2008. A
concern is the amount of an impending rescission on this year’s
funds.
A motion to
purchase a Mobile One Stop and trade in the existing vehicle was
made by Phil Bramble.
A second was
provided by Bill McDonnell.
The motion was
accepted unanimously.
Budget 2008
– 2009 Philosophy and Grant Applications
Mr. McDermott
discussed the philosophy that will allow the staff to create a
budget for the coming year that will determine how the federal
Workforce Investment Act funding will be spent in the Upper
Shore region. The staff sought WIB concurrence on a philosophy
at the April meeting and will use the philosophy to create a
line item budget for WIB approval in May. The Upper Shore will
see an increase of $ 36,000 in formula funding for the coming
year.
Philosophy
2008 – 2009
Adult and
Dislocated Worker:
Youth
- The staff
is recommending an increase in training funding for
individuals from $ 4,000 to $ 4,500.
Mobile One
Stop/Mobile Learning Center
- The staff
is recommending a set aside for a new vehicle and a trade in
of the existing vehicle.
A motion to
accept the Budget recommendations and to apply for the Formula
Grants was made by Dave McIntire.
A second was
provided by Kevin Greaney.
The motion was
accepted unanimously.
Executive
Director Status
Mr. McDermott
reminded the Members of the process that is used to evaluate the
Executive Director. Each year the WIB determines if the
Executive Director’s contract will be renewed and determines the
salary level. Over the past few years, the WIB and Executive
Director have worked to create a process for the evaluation of
the Executive Director’s performance. Last year, the WIB and
Executive Director agreed on several strategic goals. The
Members will meet in an Executive Session at the May 27, 2008
WIB Meeting to evaluate the Executive Director.
Announcements
Next WIB Meeting:
Tuesday, May 27th
Emerson House Restaurant
4 South First Street
(Across from the library)
5:00 Appetizers on the porch
5:30 Dinner and meeting
Youth Employability Program trainees
will prepare and serve dinner.
Open House to honor Dr. Stuart
Bounds will take place on May 5, 2008 from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm in
the Caroline College Center.
The Governor’s Workforce Investment
Board Annual report was distributed.
Adjourn
Beverly
Churchill offered a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 pm.
Bill McDonnell
offered a second to the motion.
The motion
passed unanimously.