Workforce Investment Board
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
7:30 – 9:30 AM
Mario’s Italian Steakhouse
Attendees: Melva Brown, Paul Burke, Cynthia Cooper, Bob Donahue, Robert Franklin, Joe Hamm, Glen Jeter, George Scharr, Bob Titus, Bob Trouskie
Absent: Dana Abramson, Keenan Allen, William Clark, Ann Marie Cook, Alice Curry, Sergio Esteban, Claire Fisher, Rosalind Gerbracht, Carl Hatch, Hazeldene Hercules (for Robert Duffy), Ann Kowal, Nicolette Leathersich, Mark Maxim, Charles Murphy, James Norman, Joe Rizzo, Gary Rogers, Judy Seil (for Maggie Brooks), Patricia Stovall, Ken Warner
Staff: Janet Arsenault, Christina Bakewicz, Carol Cavanaugh, Connie Felder, Giannina Naylon, Pete Pecor, John Premo, Laura Seelman, Antwan Williams
Guests: Bob Belmont, Angel Cook, Jeff Dillon, Mary Ellen Spennachio Wagner, Craig Stevens
Call to Order and Introductions
The meeting was called to order by George Scharr at 7:50 AM.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
In the absence of a quorum the September 28, 2010 meeting minutes will be brought before the Board at the next meeting.
Finance Committee
Annual Audit Report – Bonadio & Co.
Craig Stevens of Bonadio & Co. LLP presented an audit summary letter for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. The information was previously presented and approved by the Executive Committee on November 10.
No significant deficiencies were identified over the course of the audit, and no significant accounting estimates were identified for assets or liabilities. One or two internal control issues were discussed with the RochesterWorks team and internal controls were put in place to address them. A single audit was also performed on federal funding received by RochesterWorks and no issues were identified.
Bonadio staff did not encounter any difficulties during the audit and had no issues while working with the RochesterWorks management team. No audit adjustments were recorded or recommended, demonstrating the integrity of RochesterWorks’ financial reporting.
The 990 tax form is also in the process of being finalized.
October 2010 Finance Report
Janet Arsenault reviewed the finance report for the fiscal year July 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Funding levels are where they should be at this point in the year.
Funds Available Vs. Expenditures and Obligations: Just over $7 million (MM) in funding was available as of October 31. Total operational expenses were $1.1 MM, provider payments were just over $1 MM, direct service expenses were $706,000, bringing total accrued expenditures to $2.9 MM. Total obligations were $465,000 and primarily youth contracts comprised of youth contracts. Total accrued and obligated expenditures were $3.4 MM.
Budget V. Actual: RWI Operational Expenses are right on target with 67% remaining. Provider payments appear over expended however the majority of youth provider payments were made during the summer months, so funding levels will even out as the fiscal year progresses. Provider payments for the Summer Youth Employment program appear over expended because we did not budget for any TANF revenue going in to the year, and then received $500,000 in TANF funds for the program. Direct service expenses also appear over expended because ITAs follow the school semester schedule, meaning that most training programs have started and 50% of funding would be expended during the first half of the fiscal year. Total expenses were at 55%, and this will level out as the year progresses.
We recently received notification of potential supplemental funding, which was not originally budgeted, so going forward budget lines may appear over spent.
Individual Training Accounts (ITA) by Provider: The top training providers were Monroe Community College, Professional Driving Institute and the three BOCES programs. Average cost per ITA was $1,824.
There was a question regarding the training of individuals using Trade Act funds. A breakdown is not available, but about 37% of ITAs, which include Trade Act are health care related, 25% are clerical and 15% are for truck driving. Half are degree programs and the remainder are certificate programs.
Questions and Comments
It was asked where expenses for the St. Paul Street Center appear in the budget, and if staff had any sense of the expenditures for that operation. Current levels were not known, and staff plan to begin separating those expenses to show profit and loss for the St. Paul location.
Staff were asked if there is any information or predictor for funding levels for 2011 and/or 2012. It was noted that staff do their best to plan and anticipate based on the current budget status. Some unanticipated carry-in funds are expected for the next budget year and that is positive. Information from USDOL suggests that budget for the next year will be flat funded with no changes.
Youth Council
Presentation/Overview of the RochesterWorks! Youth System – Service and Performance
John Premo presented a follow-up on the current state of the youth system and final results for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). To promote Career Zone, a career awareness and exploration website, a 30 second commercial was created and acted out by four local WIA enrolled out-of-school youth. Staff from the Center for Youth, Threshold, and RochesterWorks assisted. RochesterWorks also developed a three minute clip with interviews from participants in the Digital Skills for Youth program who shared their feedback. Copies of the videos and presentations were sent to members following the meeting.
This year RochesterWorks had $2.5 MM in youth-related contracts with 40 different partners, primarily community-based organizations, to prepare youth for post-secondary success. RochesterWorks and the City of Rochester partnered for the application and RFP process again this year. Over 2,700 applications were received, and youth participated in job readiness training, pre-screening interviews and parent orientations.
Over 1,300 youth were placed in summer jobs or experiences between the SYEP, the City of Rochester, and Action for a Better Community. The SYEP served over 680 youth, with 400 in structured employment experiences and over 200 directly placed at work sites. The program had a 91% retention rate, which was very high.
RochesterWorks also partnered with McDonalds to provide partially subsidized opportunities for youth. Forty youth were offered jobs, 37 accepted and 35 youth remained employed after the summer. An additional 25 youth participated in the Digital Skills for Youth program and completed internships around the City of Rochester and Monroe County in diverse fields including office, retail and maintenance.
Due to funding uncertainties the youth system goal is to move beyond subsidies and move youth into real jobs by encouraging youth (and those who support them) to utilize their skills and compete for positions. The Youth Council suggested developing a non-political marketing campaign to promote the need for job opportunities for job ready youth.
Youth Council Chair Glenn Jeter encouraged board members, their organizations, vendors and partners to consider hiring any of the talented, qualified 16-21 year old youth candidates that are working with RochesterWorks. Funding situations are constantly changing and it is important to begin identifying opportunities now to ensure that there are opportunities for youth in the future. The positions do not have to be full-time and arrangements could be made so the youth are not put on the company payroll. Members are encouraged to call Glenn at (585)414-8420 to discuss youth services and his experiences.
Workforce Development Committee
PY10 1st Quarter Performance Report
Connie Felder provided an update on performance between July 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010.
This quarter there was a decrease in customer activity, including a reduction in the number of unemployment (UI) claims. The Career Centers have seen a drop in new customers for four consecutive quarters, which indicates fewer lay-offs and more activity in the job market over the last several months. However there was an increase in the number of UI applications in recent weeks, and over 6,800 Monroe County residents will exhaust their benefits this month (December). It is estimated that only 20% of these individuals are engaged in our services, so efforts will focus on re-engaging them in the workforce system, which will increase activity across all Career Centers.
Fewer individuals are being funded for training this year due to the reduction in training funds (stimulus funding). A majority of ITA training is for health care occupations. A significant portion of individuals in training are participating in the Career Navigator program, which targets professional, highly educated job seekers who learn to creatively market their skills in new occupations and/or industries.
Youth measures are on track, and out-of-school youth enrollment is expected to pick up as the year progresses.
Common Measure goals for Adults and Dislocated Workers remained largely the same for this program year, with the Entered Employment goals decreasing for both Adults and Dislocated workers due to the high unemployment rate across the State. Goals for the Youth measures are higher than the previous year.
Results for the current quarter for Adults and Dislocated Workers were very positive, particularly for Average Earnings and Entered Employment for Dislocated Workers. The Literacy/Numeracy results for Youth were low but historically improve as the year goes on.
System Improvement Indicators have incentive funding attached if our area achieves 100% of any of the measures and last year we received $90,000 for meeting two of the indicators. The training participation rate is still being negotiated, and the attached Initial Assessment rate continues to show significant improvement. Staff anticipate meeting the measure to reduce the number of individuals who exit the system while still certifying for UI benefit. The measure to input resumes for all “job ready” job seekers into NYSDOL’s SMART database is expected to rise as we go forward. RochesterWorks opted out of the National Work Readiness Credential for Youth measure because we previously adopted the national recognized WorkKeys Career Readiness Credential. A new measure this year is to increase the number of businesses that receive our services, and we have achieved 2.4% of the 3.8% goal.
Business Services Committee
Christina Bakewicz, Business Services Manager, reviewed committee activities.
Human Resources Advisory Committee
Feedback from the Board and committees indicated the need for a greater understanding of the hiring and recruitment needs of business, and a Human Resources Advisory Committee was created to respond to this need. The goal of the committee is to discuss the challenges faced by both business and RochesterWorks, and work together to build a workforce that meets their needs and is job ready.
A group of HR representatives from local organizations were invited to attend the first meeting in November, and 17 representatives attended with several others expressing interest. The committee is comprised of representatives from health care, printing, advanced manufacturing and other industries. Feedback from businesses indicated they are looking for new hires who can “hit the ground running” and ways to do more with less, particularly how to motivate staff members without financial incentives.
The Committee will meet quarterly and the next meeting will be held on January 28, 2011.
Members were invited to attend or send a company representative. Members were also invited to attend the Greater Rochester Career Conference and Job Fair on January 18, 2011.
OJT and Placement Services
The Business Services team is expanding it scope to provide free placement services to Monroe County businesses. Staff are promoting hiring incentives, including the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, while marketing candidates during the placement process.
The OJT program helps businesses offset the training costs associated with hiring a new employee. Funds are available at the state and local level and businesses with hiring needs are encouraged to participate in the program. Board member Dana Abramson has worked with the team on several occasions; she attended a Speed Networking event and used our free job posting and recruitment services, resulting in two hires. Board member Carl Hatch also participated in the OJT program which resulted in one hire, and his organization will be reimbursed for $3500 to train their new employee.
RochesterWorks participates in the Health Care and Advanced Manufacturing Regional Skills Alliances (RSAs) in cooperation with the other two WIBs. Discussions are underway about forming a new RSA focused on Construction, and a survey will be sent to regional businesses for feedback on that initiative.
Director’s Report
Membership
Melva L. Brown, PhD, and Mike Hockenberger will both be leaving the Workforce Investment Board and were thanked for their years of service to the local workforce system and community.
Board membership will be reviewed and replacements will be identified.
New York Works – Plan Review
Peter Pecor presented information from a presentation made by the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) on the transition to the Cuomo administration. The Governor elect’s New York Works plan outlines his strategy for workforce and economic revitalization.
Four key areas of focus will be the establishment of regional economic development councils, literacy, OJT and youth. The plan calls for the establishment of 10 regional councils, led by Lt. Governor Duffy, and potentially headed by organizations such as Empire State Development and private organizations like Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rochester Business Alliance and higher education.
Regional councils will control one third of the funding earmarked for economic development, and although the exact meaning is unclear, substantial dollars may be involved. Higher education and industry partnerships in our area are strong, through the universities and organizations like High Tech Rochester.
Workforce and economic development are partners, but we haven’t always been at the table at the same time, so this may be an opportunity to strengthen those partnerships and align services. Coordination of workforce and economic development will not be an easy task, with 115 industrial development agencies 600 local and 28 state level agencies that deal with economic development, along the public and private councils that deal with education. Integration is expected to be addressed by the “spending and government efficiency commission” whose goal is to deal with the WIBs and One Stops and will cut through bureaucracy.
Literacy is a high priority and Mayor Duffy will be a strong advocate given his experiences as mayor and on the Rochester police force. OJT is also a priority and this is one of the major focuses for the business services team. Youth development, through education and literacy, also remains a strong focus for both our area and the new administration.