MICHIGAN WORKS! REGION 7B CONSORTIUM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD Minutes of the Meeting September 18, 2014 Jay Jacobs, Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m., West Branch, Michigan. Roll call was taken with results as follows: WDB PRESENT: Jay Jacobs Consumers Energy; Laura Puzzuoli Competitive Machine; Frank Cloutier Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe; Thomas Winarski Tom s Wood Shop; Rob Neering Roll-Rite LLC; Thomas Ferguson T.G. Ferguson Consulting; Rich Bray Kalitta Air; Norm Fullmer Common Sense Consulting; Larry Boyce Horizon Realty; Ami Edmonds Mid-Michigan Health; Norm Fullmer Common Sense Consulting; Dan Beltz C.O.O.R. ISD; Sandra Rogers Experience Works; Denis Szagesh Department of Human Services; George Yost Michigan H.R.D.I; Rick Mularz - Department of Corrections; Janice Cooper WDA, State of Michigan. WDB ABSENT: John Carlstrom - Carlstrom Enterprises; Corrine Wood Chemical Bank; Denis Weiss Northeast Industrial Consortium; Brian Nelson Sandvik; Dana McGrew Iosco RESA; Jill Sutton Mid Michigan Community Action Agency; Eric Bachmann Michigan Rehabilitation; Scott Govitz Post Secondary Education; Brian Anderson Middle Michigan Development Corporation. STAFF PRESENT: Robert Caillier and Barbara Hawkins. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the Full WDB meeting June 19, 2014, 2014 reviewed. Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the June 19, 2014 minutes as presented. Mr. Boyce supported the motion.
Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 As part of the Directors Report, Mr. Caillier stated the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as be reauthorized as Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act (WIOA). There are new performance standards and some Workforce Development Board changes; however Michigan is in a good position. All 17 of our performance measures were met for 2013. Talent Districts for the Educational Advisory Group will mean that Region 7B will consist of two Career Councils Region 3 and Region 5. The Prisoner Reentry contract has been extended to March 31, 2015; we are awaiting the Request for Proposal to determine whether or not to submit proposals on both regions. Skills Trade Training Funds (STTF) gap funds are available. STTF provides competitive awards for employer responsive-training that enhances talent, productivity, and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of businesses. The USDOL will be in West Branch monitoring our Veteran s programs. Ms. Bolen updated members on the Ogemaw County Adult Charter School status; classes began this month in conjunction with the Iosco RESA School in Iosco County. 28 35 students are enrolled with classes held Monday and Wednesday from 3 8 in West Branch and Tuesday and Thursday 3 8 in Iosco. There was no unfinished business. Mr. Jacobs stated that at the July 17, 2014 meeting the following items were approved. Capacity Building and Professional Development for PY2014 The WDA has identified $500,000 in appropriation Year 2014 WIA Statewide Activities funds to be used in support of local area Capacity Building and Professional Development activities for PY 2014. Capacity Building and Professional Development funding may be utilized for, but not limited to, supporting state and local partnerships, developing and improving local program performance and goals and assisting ongoing system development and proficiency, including professional development and technical assistance. Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium received $125,000; this plan is a pass thru of funds for the Michigan Works! Association to provide training to the MWA s. Michigan Works! Service Center Operations PY 2014 Service center operation funds may be used in support of all activities to improve customer service, inform and educate the public about the service centers and upgrade facilities. Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium has been allocated an additional $14,000 and will utilize these funds for the Wide Area Network access for all offices, this service costs the agency $6,500 monthly.
Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 Section 107 State School Aid (Adult Education) PY 14 Section 107 of the 2014-15 State School Aid Act (Public Act 196 of 2014) allocates $22 million of adult education programs. Major changes for 2014-15 include the recipients of the funding, the determination and distribution of the funds, the determination of payments and the performance criteria. Funds will be allocated two only ONE ISD serving as the fiscal agent for adult education programs in each of the ten prosperity regions in Michigan, as determined and agreed upon by all ISDs within the region. Region 3 consists of C.O.O.R. ISD and Iosco RESA; Region 5 consists of Bay-Arenac and Clare/Gladwin RESD. New Business: A demand-driven workforce system is the State of Michigan s primary workforce development strategy. National Emergency Grant s are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor under Section 173 of the WIA, as amended. NEGs are intended to temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels by providing time-limited funding in response to significant dislocation events. The Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan has awarded JD NEG funds to prosperity regions, to implement new or expand local regional job-driven partnerships that provide workers opportunities to participate in work-based training, occupational training and/or other non-training reemployment services. Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium will receive a portion of the $364,475 for Region 3 (the Northern 3 Counties plus Northeast) and a portion of the $747,005 for Region 5 (the Southern 3 Counties plus Bay, Midland, Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella). After discussion action was as follows: Mr. Winarski moved to recommend the LEO approve of the Job Driven National Emergency Grant as presented. Mr. Fullmer supported the motion; a roll call vote was taken results as follows:
Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 Effective January 2, 2013 the PATH program replaced the JET (Jobs Education and Training) program as the work participation program required for families receiving cash assistance through the Family Independence Program through the Department of Human Services. PATH features a 21-day eligibility period during which participants work one-on-one with the DHS and the MWA case manager to identify barriers to employment and connect participants to resources addressing those challenges. Region 7B Consortium was awarded and additional $30,000 in GF/GP; to bring our allocation to $299,877. After discussion action was as follows: Ms. Puzzuoli moved to recommend the LEO approve of the PATH Plan Modification as presented. Mr. Fullmer supported the motion; a roll call vote was taken results as follows: Effective January 2, 2013 the PATH program replaced the JET (Jobs Education and Training) program as the work participation program required for families receiving cash assistance through the Family Independence Program through the Department of Human Services. PATH features a 21-day eligibility period during which participants work one-on-one with the DHS and the MWA case manager to identify barriers to employment and connect participants to resources addressing those challenges. Region 7B Consortium was awarded $1,100,716 in TANF funds and $186,217 in GF/GP funds. This is an increase for TANF from 2014 of $35,341 and a decrease in GF/GP of $83,670. After discussion action was as follows: Mr. Boyce moved to recommend the LEO approve of the PY 2015 PATH Plan as presented. Ms. Puzzuoli supported the motion; a roll call vote was taken results as follows: Motion Carried
Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 Congress established the Food Assistance Employment & Training (FAE&T) program under FSA of 1977, as amended, to assist members of households participating in the Food Assistance program in gaining skills, training, work or experience to increase their ability to obtain regular employment. The State of Michigan FAE&T program is jointly administered by Department of Human Services. The FAE&T program is designed to establish a connection to the labor market for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). The MWA serve the ABAWD with oversight and technical assistance from the WDASOM and DHS. Region 7B Consortium was awarded $50,476.00 for program and $1,136 for supportive Services. This award is down from 2014; $1,744 and $117 respectively. After discussion action was as follows: Mr. Cloutier moved to recommend the LEO approve of the PY 2015 FAE&T Plan as presented. Ms. Rogers supported the motion; a roll call vote was taken results as follows: Motion Carried A letter of resignation was received from Karen Easterling with Baker College. She served as an alternate for Post-Secondary Education. Baker College closed the West Branch site and no longer covers our area. After discussion action was as follows: Mr. Winarski moved to accept the letter of resignation with regret; and sent a letter of appreciation for Ms. Easterlings 10 years of service cc d to the college dean is also requested. Mr. Fullmer supported the motion.
Minutes of the Meeting Page 6 Letters of resignation were also received from Mr. Jim Martin, with Chase Bank in Roscommon County and Ms. Sarah Henry, with TenderCare of Clare. After discussion action was as follows: Mr. Boyce moved to accept the letter of resignation with regret. Mr. Ferguson supported the motion. The next Full WDB meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at Michigan Works! Service Center, West Branch, Michigan. There was no Public Response. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Jay Jacobs Chairperson Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium Workforce Development Board Recording Secretary: Barbara Hawkins/bjh