Cameron Bell
Judy Bowen Clark
Barbara Bozon
Horace Grace
Jim Granfor / Sonja Havens
Cynthia Hernandez
Eyal Kaczur
Dr. Susan Kincannon
Mary Kliewer / Bill Stanford
Carlyle Walton
Ginger Watkins
Jim Yeonopolus
Directors Absent
Larry Anglin
Mike Atkinson
Dr. Glenda Barron
Cheryl Eliano / Chris Flor
Bill Luther
Matt Maxfield / Dr. Marc Nigliazzo
Tama Shaw
Martha Tyroch
Elected Officials and Ex-Officios
Wayne Boltinghouse, Judge, Lampasas County
John Firth, Judge, Coryell County / Mary Himik, III Corps & Fort Hood
Jose Segarra, Mayor, City of Killeen
Workforce Board and Center Staff Present
Anita Alexander
Linda Angel
Renee Barton
Lewis Boren
Wendy Ann Damon
Tammy Hill / Susan Kamas
Kim Mack
Laura Nixon
Jacqueline Ortiz
Kimberly Patterson / Eric Putt
Ruth Rucker
Sandra Russell
Stuart Van Orden
Wanda Williams
Guests Present
Jose Aragon, Youth Program Participant
Erianna Davis, Youth Program Participant
Angel Luis DeJesus Jr., Youth Program Participant
Gene Hall, Texas Veterans Commission
Carlos Rodriguez, Youth Program Participant
Victoria Thompson, Texas Veterans Commission
Martin Traylor, Soldier for Life
Trent Williams, Office of Texas Representative Molly White
Call to Order, Pledge, and Chairs Report / Mary Kliewer, Immediate Past-Chair
The Board of Directors for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas held its regularly scheduled meeting at the Central Texas Workforce Center, 300 Cheyenne, Killeen, TX. Mary Kliewer called the meeting to order at approximately 9:30 a.m. noting that a quorum was present. Directors and others present pledged allegiance to the flags of the United States and Texas. Directors were asked to review the attendance record and inform staff of any corrections. No corrections were noted. Kliewer referenced the Conflict of Interest policy included in Board materials and asked each Board member to complete a Conflict of Interest form to be turned in to Board staff.
Action Items / Action Items
Consent Agenda...... Kliewer
Kliewer called for any discussion or objection to the consent agenda which included the Workforce Board’s business meeting minutes for June 23, 2016.There being no discussion, the consent agenda was approved as presented.
Special Presentation
Creating Futures Youth Program...... Tammy Hill, Youth Program Supervisor,
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas
Tammy Hill, Youth Program Supervisor for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, began with an overview of the Creating Futures Youth Program. She reported that 150 youth received employment experience over the summer with trainees working 6-8 weeks for up to 40 hours per week at a wage of $8.00 per hour. Hill stated that youth were employed in Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills, and San Saba Counties.
Introducing Workforce Youth staff, Hill noted that the most tenured staff person had been working in the youth program for one year. She then introduced each staff person individually describing service areas for each.
- Kim Mack – housed at Ellison High School; serves: Ellison High School, Shoemaker High School, Pathways High School, and Killeen Area;
- Laura Nixon – housed at Temple College; serves: Temple, Troy, Academy, Salado, Holland, and Bartlett;
- Jacqueline Ortiz – housed at the Workforce Center in Lampasas; serves: Lampasas, Lometa, Copperas Cove, Priddy, Mullin, Goldthwaite, Richland Springs, Cherokee, and San Saba;
- Carlos Rodriguez – housed at Killeen High School; serves: Killeen High School, Harker Heights High School, Killeen Area, Evant, Star, Gatesville, Hamilton, Hico, and Jonesboro; and
- Stuart Van Orden – housed at Belton Continuing Education Building; serves: Belton, Rogers, Cameron, Rockdale, Milano, and Buckholts.
- Arianna Hernandez-Baptiste reported that the summer work experience was her first job. Noting that she worked at the library, she explained that she was selected for the position through a competitive interview process. Specific to the skills she gained, Hernandez-Baptiste stated that it was “never dull” adding that she shelved books, updated card catalogues, and learned that “a lot goes into working in a library.”
- Jose Aragon stated that he found out about the Creating Futures Youth Program through Killeen ISD staff. He described the worksite interview process as a “real life experience” that resulted in employment at a fitness center. Aragon noted that the fitness center was the second job he has had; his first job was at a pawn shop. Regarding his work experience, he reported that, as one of two staff workers, he cleaned machines, vacuumed, and welcomed guests. He described his experience as “joyful” adding that he learned important work values such as:
- Punctuality means “early is on time and on time is late;” and
- Employees are responsible for finding something to do rather than waiting to be told.
- Angel DeJesus began by describing his experience working at AJ Moving & Storage. He explained that the warehouse job involved helping military and civilian customers move. Noting that the work experience was his first job, DeJesus described his job as a “learning experience” that involved completing paperwork, documenting inventories, and loading/unloading shipments. He noted that he planned to continue working and developing the experience into a career.
- During her introduction, Erianna Davis was acknowledged for being in the top ten of her graduating class. She was also recognized for being part of the Outward Bound program at Killeen High School.
Congratulating the participants and the Workforce staff that supported them, Kliewer acknowledged the youth program participants as “a dynamic group of young people.” She noted that a more accurate term for “soft skills” would be “essential skills.” In response to the students’ presentations, the following Board members asked questions/comments.
Sonja Havens reported that First National Bank Texas participated in the summer youth program. She stated that the Bank had a student from Temple College and one who presented to the Board last year. Havens indicated that she is impressed as an employer acknowledging staff for listening to her expectations and needs and making a perfect match. Noting that the youth participants were taught to do their job assignments and manage their time, she stated that the participants will receive offers of employment when they finish school. Regarding the overall summer work experience program, Havens reported that it is “a good way to grow future employees.”
Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra stated that he had several youth program participants at his business. He stated that they are taught to go beyond the basics and they learn to work with customers based on customers’ personalities and interests. Segarra noted that he has 28 agents who work to engage and support the youth participants.
Specific to the student who stated she wanted to be an English teacher, Dr. Susan Kincannon encouraged her to continue her education and then apply to teach at Belton ISD. Carlyle Walton acknowledged the fact that each participant expressed their gratitude for being given the employment opportunity. In closing, he noted that they were all to be admired.
Workforce Activities Briefings & Workforce Centers Update / Susan Kamas, Executive Director
Susan Kamas, Executive Director,began with a report from the Conference of Mayors. Noting that it was the first time Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra attended, she asked him to discuss his experience.
Segarra explained that he had attended Texas Municipal League Conferences but the information provided at the national conference was more extensive. As examples, he discussed the resources related to alternative public and private funding sources; the advantages of having direct access to high-level officials; and the ability to network and learn how to access federal funds for cities in crisis such as Michigan, Orlando, and Dallas. Segarra explained that the City of Killeen is addressing a budget deficit; however, he planned to attend the meetings as a guest of Workforce. In closing, he described specific meetings with the Mayors of New York, Puerto Rico, and Orlando noting that the learning experience allows him to bring best practices back to Central Texas. Segarra also described a bus trip with security and police escorts drawing attention to the fact that high-profile individual support the Conference of Mayors.
Kamas described the Conference noting that the architect that designed many of the buildings in Fort Worth was present. She also explained the role of the Workforce Development Council noting that the group toured a recycling center that only hired ex-offenders to learn their best practices.
Focusing on Washington DC updates from the Conference of Mayors and the Texas Workforce Commission, Kamas referenced information about proposed Workforce Appropriation coming out of the U.S. House of Representatives. She drew attention to inclusion of Vocational Rehabilitation Funds.
Kamas then discussed notification from the U.S. Department of Labor that Central Texas had been selected for a national evaluation project exploring workforce integration. She explained that the area is one of 50 sites around the country that will be evaluated. The site visit is scheduled for October 2016.
On the state-level, Kamas reported that the Workforce Commission is focused on the Department of Rehabilitative Services transition. She noted that the effort was tremendous and the agency was doing a great job. Kamas also discussed changes in child care services that would result in a reduction in dropouts but added that less numbers would be served. She explained that child care enrollments were temporarily curtailed. Kamas also reported that the Texas Association of Workforce Boards would be meeting the first week in August and the Annual Texas Workforce Conference would be in December. Regarding the December conference, Kamas reported that the Workforce Commission had asked Central Texas to do a Veterans Panel. She stated that Gen. (Ret) Ken Cox, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, and, Martin Traylor, Soldier for Life Program, have both agreed to participate on the panel.
Regarding local activities, Kamas reported that Jerry Haisler was on vacation in Colorado with his family. She drew attention to photos and a vacation schedule he provided.
Kamas then discussed budgets specifically referencing the National Emergency Grant for layoffs on Fort Hood. She noted that Central Texas continued to have enrollments and Central Texas received the funds initially requested by the Red River Army Depot. Kamas reported that additional funds are being requested and fall enrollments will include two internships: one for exiting military and a second for military spouses.
Referencing progress for the new Workforce Center in Temple, Kamas stated that the funding/building proposal would go to all partners’ boards in August. She noted that the information had already been presented to the Workforce Board and no surprises were expected. Kamas explained that the Temple Economic Development Corporation covered the costs for the design phase. However, the partners were seeking donors who may want to have the Temple Downtown Business Center named after them.
Local reports included updated on the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). Kamas noted that Stephanie O’Banion was the incoming President for AUSA. Kamas also discussed a briefing by General Uberti that explained that 12,000 troops stationed at Fort Hood were in overseas assignments in five countries. She noted that he stressed that “Fort Hood takes care of freedom all around the world.”
In closing, Kamas reported that Lewis Boren would be the lead working on the Annual Luncheon with the Killeen Career Center. She reported that additional students and technologies were being engaged for this year’s event. Kamas also reference a local layoff report, Fort Hood’s Fast Facts report, and the Non-Custodial Parents (NCP) program update. She predicted that the NCP program would go over $1,000,000 in child support funds in August. Kamas also drew attention to program performance reports explaining the color codes and the “At A Glance” report that provided rankings for every Board on each measure. She also recognized Linda Angel who was recently inducted as the President of the Harker Heights Rotary Club.
Regarding the August meeting, Kamas stated that Krista Julian from the Texas Workforce Commission would present information on Central Texas’ results in the statewide Survey of Organizational Engagement. She added that Wanda Williams would also be presenting information on the Central Texas Teachers’ Externship program.
New/Other Business / Anglin
Board Member Discussion:
- Judge Firth acknowledged Martin Traylor and the Soldier for Life Program commending their efforts to help exiting veterans and save the U.S. Army the costs of paying unemployment compensation for ex-service members.
- Mayor Jose Segarra noted the city was filling several positions and working to balance the annual budget.
Calendar of Activities: Kliewer asked Board members to review the calendar of activities noting that a Finance Committee meeting was scheduled on August 25, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 10:15 a.m.
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Larry Anglin, Chair
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Linda Angel, Secretary