The Workforce Development Board Executive Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Joe Herdus at 7:30 a.m. at the W. E. Upjohn Institute, 300 South Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
 

Committee Members Present: Thom Brennan (PS), Joe Herdus (PS), Jerry Love (PS), Mary Oudsema (PS), Pat Pangburn (PS). Membership - 9, Attendance - 5 (56%), PS (100%)

Staff Present: Craig Schreuder, Kara Stewart, Bob Straits

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

 

MOTION: To approve the Workforce Development Board Executive Committee meeting minutes of March 7, 2002.

Mary Oudsema Support: Jerry Love. Vote: Unanimously approved.

I. COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Executive Committee

 

 

Plans - Craig Schreuder reported the MW! Operations Grant (One Stop) is being revised to include functions relating to "One-Stop Center Development and Coordination" and to incorporate functions relating to "Service Center Transition" The budget for this grant is adjusted to increase marketing and public information by $41,609. Total funding for this grant is $143,210.

Michigan received an increase in funding for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker Programs for PY2002 as a result of underspending by other states during the previous program year. The federal allocation formula was revised to increase funding to the states that exhausted their funds. The new formula resulted in $639,039 for the WIA Adult Program, $540,349 for the Dislocated Worker Program and $807,947 for the WIA Youth Program.

The Five-Year Services Plan for Adults and Dislocated Workers and the Five-Year Services Plan for Youth were updated to include new data and revised requirements. The five year plans include additional details regarding performance goals and EDP goals.

MOTION: To approve the Michigan works Systems Operations Grant (One Stop)Revision 2001-02, the WIA Title I Thom Brennan

Adult Plan 02-00 (PY2002), the WIA Title I Dislocated Worker Plan 02-00 (PY2002), the WIA Title I Youth Plan 02-00 (PY2002), the WIA Adult & Dislocated Worker Five Year Plan, and the WIA Youth Five Year Plan. Support: Jerry Love. Vote: Unanimously approved.

2. RFP Committee - Craig Schreuder reported one proposal was received in response to the Request for Proposal 2002-1 for services for young adults. The proposal was submitted by Employment and Training Connections, a division of KRESA. The WDB Executive Committee was scheduled to review proposals on April 18; however, because only one proposal was received, the meeting was cancelled. The focus of the review turned on the acceptability of the proposal received rather than a comparison of multiple proposals. Committee members provided comments to staff and staff prepared a summary of the proposal response along with recommendations and conditions for acceptance. Recommendations were as follows: The program narrative should be re-written in accordance with the specifications identified in the proposal; i.e specific details as to how things will be carried out rather than what things will be done. The participant service level is to be adjusted. Adjustments are to be made in order to comply with federal performance standards that were released after the RFP process. A significant share of the total funding will not be allocated to ETC for this contract. The sum of $200,000 will be directed to a targeted youth program which will require an additional RFP process to be evaluated in July 2002. The additional RFP for the targeted youth program will focus on several recommendations provided in Dr. Hamet’s "Youth at Risk" study.

3. Monitoring and Compliance Committee -Thom Brennan reported the Monitoring and Compliance Committee used the April 18 meeting to review the monitoring process and the frequency of meetings. The committee made changes to the questions that are given to the subcontractor to complete prior to the monitoring visit and revisions were made to the evaluation instrument used during the monitoring. The implementation of a mystery shopper program was discussed and several members volunteered their staff or representatives from their agency or business to mystery shop the Employment Service Centers. Thom indicated the meeting was productive and refreshing and resulted in good discussion and changes.
4. Marketing Committee -Mary Oudsema reported that Miranda Pelikan of Schoolcraft, Michigan was one of 15 members appointed to the Youth Advisory Council of the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. The article on Miranda that appeared in the Michigan Works! Association newsletter reflected her activity in disability awareness programs and that she had been doing this for several years.
5. EAG Committee - Mary Oudsema reported the purpose of the EAG is to advise WDB on career development. There are six career pathways available to all students, grades 8 through 12, and each school district has their own unique strategy for implementation. An advisory sub-committee has been active in reviewing the Strategic Plan and assessing if it is addressing current needs. The EAG committee is exploring ways to get out into the community and to be more active in the schools. They are considering inviting representatives from the schools to give presentations at the EAG meetings. The next step would be to take some of these presentations out into the community which would require assistance from the WDB. The purpose would be to reach career pathway goals quicker and to increase awareness in the community. Craig Schreuder distributed a summary of the Career Initiatives Alignment for 2002-2003. He explained this alignment is a process that incorporated three major secondary career development programs into one initiative. Craig indicated that he, along with Claudia Pahls will be attending the EAG/WDB Forum in Lansing on May 7, 2002.

1. Program Status Report - Bob Straits reported that performance results on the federal performance measures are delayed 6-18 months and do not reflect current activity. This is a system data collection and reporting issue and not an issue with the subcontractor. The Welfare-to-Work/Work First Program should be at 50% of goals at this point in time. There has been a large increase in local program activity and Unemployment and FIA case orders have increased as well. The Partnerships in Adult Learning (PAL) Program is operating well and is reaching a targeted population with specific needs. The program is operated by Goodwill Industries and currently has four sites where services are being provided.

2. Legislative Update - Bob Straits reported Joe Herdus was nominated for a position on the state’s Workforce Investment Board, however he was not selected. Bob explained it is a very political process. The Michigan Works! State Association is advocating to put departments into law. Bob expressed the need to stay neutral and stated he is encouraging the Agency not to be political party.
3. Program Activity - Craig Schreuder reported that as of May 2, there are 55 individuals enrolled in training under the Tower Automotive NAFTA Secondary Certification. There are 34 individuals who qualify for needs related payments (NRP).

Bob gave an update on the local poverty reduction initiative and indicated the Chamber and Kalamazoo City are looking for an organization to act as the lead agency.

5. NEXT MEETING - The next WDB Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2002.

_______________________________                            _______________________________
Robert A. Straits                             Date                             Joseph Herdus                         Date