SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES
Workforce Development board
YOUTH CoUNCIL
February 1, 2017
10:00 AM
Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission
3 Sheraton Drive
Altoona, Pennsylvania
The following are the formal actions taken by the Young Adult Council at its scheduled meeting held on February 1, 2017, at the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission:
- Approved the minutes of the November 2, 2016 meeting.
- Approved the recommendation that the pending Request for Proposals for PY’17 WIOA services should include services to both in-school and out-of-school youth while requiring proposals adhere to the WIOA requirements to spend at least 75% of funds on out-of-school youth and 20% on work experience activities.
- Approved the recommendation to transfer $24,000 from the budgeted reserve line item to be split equally between the ITA and OJT line items.
SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES
Workforce Development Board
YOUNG ADULT CoUNCIL
February 1, 2017
10:00 AM
Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission
3 Sheraton Drive
Altoona, Pennsylvania
MEETING MINUTES
Members in Attendance
Dr. Dena MobusBedford County Technical Center
Cindy O’ConnorGoodwill of Southern Alleghenies
Samantha SeidelPrior program participant
Karen RemickSomerset CTC (via telephone)
Wayne BlueACM/BCTC
Gail UlrichJuniata College
Deborah MeitrottSouthern Huntingdon School District
Carol BracelandHuntingdon County Probation
Bob Chunta Job Corps
Gail ClapperBig Brothers/Big Sisters
Non-Members in Attendance
Jim Coley SAPDC/SAWDB
Jill ReighSAPDC
Susan WhislerSAPDC/SAWDB
Barbara CovertE&T Inc.
Sarah HelmanGICV
Amy KimmelCAPFSC
Jim WalkerSAPDC/SAWDB
Amy HorwathGoodwill Industries
Call to Order
Ms. Gail Clapper, Vice Chair,called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
ApprovalofMinutes from November 2, 2016.
The motion to approve the minuteswas made by Dr. Dena Mobus and seconded by Mr. Wayne Blue. After a correctionto amend the minutes by Ms. Deborah Meitrott regarding the first-place winner of the Student Health Care Hero Contest as being from Southern Huntingdon High School, the minutes wereunanimously approved.
Staff Report:
PY’ 16WIOA Youth Second Quarter Performance-Literacy/Numeracy Rate
Mr. Jim Coley reviewed the projected 2nd quarter performance. He explained that the reality is that we are in a transition period of performance standards from WIA to WIOA. The criteria under WIOA are changing. Some of the new State and Federal standards have not yet been clearly defined. Mr. Coley cited the example of placement rates. Under WIA, performance was based on the first quarter after the youth exited the program. Under WIOA, it’s the second quarter after exiting, so we must monitor youth to be sure they are keeping their job for more than three months. This is an important distinction, adding to the complexities in monitoring and reporting. Previously we got quarterly reports from the state on our performance which was shared at each Council meeting. We no longer are getting those reports. Since placements of youth in employment is based upon employer wage records, which are unavailable to us, only the state can accurately assess this performance. Jim has asked a contact at the state level if they can provide this verification of employment but has not yet received a response.
On page 5, the Literacy/Numeracy levels can still be tracked. Though the state is no longer tracking this, the Workforce Board felt it was still important to track and set standards for skill-deficient OSY to track if they are getting their GED, improving basic education skills and more. The report reflects that we are at just over 48% of the 60% benchmark. Of the four providers, two are at or above the goal; two are below the goal. Because the total number of OSY served is low, each client served can significantly affect performance. We will continue to track this measure.
PY’16WIOA New Youth Enrollment Numbers –2nd Quarter
Mr. Coley reported thatsecond quarter enrollment from July 1, 2016forward has a total planned of 114 and that’s exactly what we have served so we are right on target. The split between I/S and O/S shows that I/S is less, with O/S numbers growing. Since at least 75 percent of funds must be spent on O/S youth, this is an important trend getting the results we were hoping for. Serving O/S youth has always been a difficult job, but regionally we are exceeding the planned number.
PY’ 16 TANF Enrollment Numbers – 2ndQuarter
Mr. Coley explained that TANF funds are used for the summer youth program. There is also a year-round component that happens primarily in schools. Our goal was to serve 320 for the year and through December 31, 2016 we have served 213. The program number served is ahead of schedule so we are looking good.
Business/Education Partnership Grant
Mr. Coley provided a handout about the grant. He reminded the Council that we received a Business/Education Partnership Grant for $100,000 that ended June 30, 2016. This money was flexible; no restrictive eligibility requirements for each youth, making it less cumbersome. The $100,000 served a couple thousand students. In December, we received notice of eligible grant funds with a proposal deadline of January 31, 2017. The goal of this $122,000 Business/Education Partnership Grant project is to bridge the gap between educators and students connecting with employers. We should have an answer by the end of February. If approved, the program could start in the schools this March and end March 31, 2018. Activities that would occur will likely be different in each of the six counties, based on individual need. Transportation funding will be more limited than previously.
Financial Picture
WIOA Budget Summary
Ms. Susan Whisler called attention to the budget summary. The only real difference from last meeting is that, at this Council’s recommendation, the Board approved and moved $100,000 from the reserved line of Youth up to Service Delivery. That was awarded out to our subcontractors to continue and expand service to OSY. It is always important that we have a sizeable cushion in reserves yet it’s a balancing act since we must spend 80% of the funding or it is recaptured by Harrisburg. In her 16 years with workforce development, budget cuts of 8-12 percent were seen.All bets are off regarding what PY 17 that begins July 1, 2017 will look like. Funding cuts are expected.
WIOA Title I Expenditures (Red/Green Report)
Ms. Whisler reviewed this expenditure report.Since the largest percentage goes out to service delivery, it is imperative that they spend the money in helping us meet the 80% expenditure requirement. Since this report was generated, the December 2016 numbers are in. Our providers are hitting their targets, spending their allocations. The second report is more important because it tracks OSY. One of the changes underWIOA youth programs is the emphasis on OSY. Seventy-five percent of the allocation must be spent on OSY with 20% spent on work experience. We did well with that 20% requirement last year and on track this year with subcontractors. In fact, we are probably over the 20% on work experience. There is a catch because that 20% is not just for what subcontractors spend. The state also looks at total amount of youth money coming into the region minus the 10% admin fee. The rest of that money must be spent on work experience. So, any expenses incurred not related to work experience make hitting that 20% tougher. She cited the example of sending youth to school.This does not count toward work experience. The OSY figures reflect a paradigm shift in thinking. We now must focus on the OSY. We came close to the 75% mark and will have to work even harder this year to reach out and serve this group. There are penalties attached to performance. If we do not reach 75%, funds could be pulled and we would lose this funding. We must do everything we can to spend the money on OSY to meet or exceed this performance level.
Request for Proposal Process – PY 17 Title I WIOA Services
Serving In-School Youth – PY 17 Title I WIOA Funds
The last time RFPs were developed for the entire Title I services was 2002. WIOA requires that RFPs be done competitively for youth services and going forward we must create RFPs for youth services. Because it has been so many years and with the new Act, performance will be vital so the RFP for all three services are being developed at the same time. Mr. Coley noted that is not a simple process but the project is under development. It is possible that RFPs will attract new providers. The plan going forward is submitting RFPs for all three services and have the funding recommendations ready for the Board meeting in May, which is typically when budgets are discussed for the PY that starts July 1. This would lead to a one year contract with the possibility of three additional yearly renewals, based on performance.
Mr. Coley encouraged the Council to provide input, albeit limited. If there are issues or areas you feel from the youth perspective need addressed in the RFP, respond to Jim Coley by Wednesday, February 8th via email: . He noted that he anticipates RFPs to be released on February 15, 2017 with a response deadline of April 3, 2017. The Workforce Board will decide the review group since the funding decisions reside with them. Mr. Coley suggested that input could be directed via Council members who are also Board members to bridge the gap between the groups. After the RPF is released, it will become a public document.
Ms. Whisler noted that the process comes under very close scrutiny at both the State and Federal levels. The RFPs must have every last detail covered, with no questions about conflicts of interest, protests, and that it is a very fair and competitive process.
Mr. Coley noted that one important issue is the requirement on OSY. Do we continue to serve both OSY and ISY. Others have shifted exclusively to OSY under WIOA Title I youth funds to assure theymeet the 75% expenditure requirement. The time to consider this is now. There is a definite shift in volume toward OSY.
Ms. Deborah Meitrott noted that training for ISY is a great experience and would hurt if ISY is eliminated. Mr. Coley explained that we have two years to spend the funds; not suggesting that we have to serve just OSY to hit the 75%.
Ms. Whisler noted that these are WIOA Title I funds and reiterated that it doesn’t mean we won’t continue to serve ISY. Mr. Coley clarified that we receive TANF funds from the Department of Public Welfare that carves out state money and allocates to local areas such as us. But this is not guaranteed money; they can stop this at any time. If we get TANF money, that will serve ISY. The Business/Education Partnership Grant would also serve ISY. Ms. Karen Remick would support ISY programs under WIOA so they don’t become just OSY. ISY programs may prevent students from being so lost that they become OSY.
Discussion commenced to commit to emphasizing the use of WIOA funds to OSY, since a minimum of 75% must be spent onOSYand 20% must be spent on work experience. Mr. Wayne Blue needed clarification about the 20% spending. The 20% can be for either ISY or OSY work experience. Ms. Whisler also clarified that if a student is being assisted as ISY and then graduates, but still in need of services, they do not count as OSY. Their status is whatever theywere when they came into the program. Program operators are aware of this challenge within the system.
The motionthat the RFP states thatWIOA spendingstay at a minimum of 75%, still allow for serving ISY and the RFP state that operators meet that standard was made by Ms. Colleen Woodring and seconded by Ms. Deborah Meitrott and approved unanimously.
Use of Unobligated Title I WIOA Youth Funds – Youth Training
Mr. Coley reiterated from budget discussion that $153,000 remains in Reserves. Staff recommend keeping $130,000 in reserve, with the $24,000 balance being moved to supplement other line items. There are two items of concern. Training has $5,000 remaining for individual skill training, which for many ITA requests would be one more person. The second item is OJT that had $25,000 earmarked. The balance is now $9,100 and OJT are almost guaranteed jobs. There are a couple of OJTs in the works and if come through, would more than exceed the $9,100. We have been encouraging providers to write OJTs. He then asked the Council to decide which of the two items should have priority if we make that $24,000 available.
The motionthat the split be 50/50 between ITA and OJT was made by Mr. Wayne Blue and seconded by Dr. Dena Mobus and approved unanimously.
Other Business
No other business was discussed.
Next Meeting
May 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at SAP&DC.
Adjournment
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Ms. Gail Clapper at 11:15 a.m.