Chat history from today's E-vent session

Recorded Version Link: http://dynamicinstitute.na3.acrobat.com/p40562898/

Question: Are there any questions you want to be sure and have answered today?

Jaydean Miller: What types of training programs are areas looking at with the stimulus money?
Lisa Stern: We are looking at healthcare/IT; green jobs (though that's not been quite defined yet); project management certification, ESOL partnerships with an employment focus...(and more!!)

Bridget Brown: Since DoL is asking for "transformative" and innovative programs, does anyone have an idea of the definition of what they mean?
Lisa Stern: My understanding is that it's "things that haven't been done before"

Irene Brenon: Is anyone looking to tap into the TANF population for coenrollment into summer youth (18-24 yr olds)? If so, how do you deal with the earned income aspect?

Linda Fitzgerald: We are concerned about providing training for customers receiving UI benefits and then having them lose their benefits because they are in training.
Liz Jalbert: In Mo as long as they are enrolled in the dislocated worker program, they do not lose benefits
Sandra Lancaster: Don't you have a training waiver process in place with UI?
Jaydean Miller: They can get a waiver from UI OR just continue to say they are available for work. Even with DWP, waiver must be there.
Marsha Lindsey: In TX, also can continue to receive UI if co-enrolled in WIA DW.
Linda Fitzgerald: How do we get waivers other than for TRA or WIA?
Liz Jalbert: They can request UI Director approval
Jaydean Miller: I believe you have to be in one of those programs. You would have to be enrolled to get the training anyway.
Sandra Lancaster: In Michigan it’s a process offered by the unemployment agency.
Lisa Stern: You might want to contact your State's UI rep directly -- I've been hearing about training waivers specifically related to the stimulus $.
Linda Fitzgerald: We're not concerned about us providing training--We are speaking about other funded training--Is there a form to request Director approved Training
Liz Jalbert: No, UI has to do it. Talk to a UI rep
Linda Fitzgerald: Okay


Question: How will the decision be made on what summer youth kids get into the year round program?
Liz Jalbert: Each is individually evaluated
Liz Jalbert: I think we are looking at how they will fit into youth performance
Jaydean Miller: We are leaning toward treating it more like a stand-alone program unless the individual wants to be involved in the year round.
Linda Fitzgerald: At Park Hills, it is depending on their goals.
Irene Brenon: It will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on needs, objectives, etc.
Marsha Lindsey: We are still waiting on final DOL guidance about youth performance. TEGL was supposed to be issued last Friday or yesterday - still not released yet.
Lisa Stern: Maryland is treating Summer Youth as a stand alone program as well.
Irene Brenon: Summer Youth will be a stand alone program but will have an option to transfer Youth to year round program as the summer activity ends

Question: Are you using private employers for work experience sites? Have you considered asking private employers to contribute to the wage?
Irene Brenon: We are targeting public and non-profit until we learn more from the TEGL
Liz Jalbert: Will we be allowed to use private?
Marsha Lindsey: We are planning on using private for older youth; public, non-profit for younger youth. No employer match is anticipated.
Jaydean Miller: Looking at both private and public. Paying hourly. Not looking at private emp contribution. Lean toward public for expedience.
Lisa Stern: I think if times were different, we might look for an employer match - but not this summer.
Irene Brenon: My personal opinion, given the current state of the economy is to stay away from private, for profit.
Liz Jalbert: We are looking to our old JTPA partners,
Linda Fitzgerald: At Park Hills, we consider the employer's oversight of training as their contribution--we plan to use the employers we already have relationships with and Parks and Recreations locally.
Shiloh Cooper: I believe there are some state level discussions in MO about limiting the hourly wage to minimum wage, due to a fear that youth will quit jobs to take our summmer job if the pay is more than min. wage
Lisa Stern: Another possibility - is if the youth fits into the WIA adult category - and the employer wants to hire - we can co-enroll into an OJT (where the employer pays for half of the salary for a period of 3 months of so) after the summer youth experience.

Question: What types of training will you be providing for youth?
Jaydean Miller: probably mostly work readiness type training with youth.
Lisa Stern: Unless I missed something - any potential occupational training for YOUTH will be dependent on the youth being coenrolled as a WIA adult.
Lisa Stern: We have a youth-focused customer service skills training/credential from the National Retail Federation
Lisa Stern: Ours is from the NRF
Lisa Stern: It's classroom training with certified trainers - and then a certification exam online.
Irene Brenon: Virtual Interships online courseware, Alchemy customer services and work readiness
Lisa Stern:One of the things we talked about was looking into the WorkKeys work-readiness credential. Has anyone had success with that?
Marsha Lindsey: Classroom training with completion competency certificate. Focused on work readiness activities.
Sandra Lancaster: What is a virtual internship?
Diane C. Hoggard: We are also looking at the Work Keys assessment in this area.
Liz Jalbert: we still do - reading for information, locating information and math - and they are awarded a Career Readiness certificate
Irene Brenon: Go to isupportlearning.com for more info .... 10 virtual internships including web design, robotics, and more, see the website.
Irene Brenon: Home design using green material, landscape design, cartooning design, etc.


Question: What are you doing that's transformative and/or innovative?
Irene Brenon: Any others doing drug screening and background checks?
Liz Jalbert: We are asking employers what they see needing in the future (12-18 months out) We then will contract with our public schools to provide that training
Dynamic Works: Brevard County has been looking at Substitute Teacher certifications
Bridget Brown: one of the reason I asked about innovation is my frustration when I ask that question to the "powers that be." What I get back is what they DON'T want - not what they do want.
Diane C. Hoggard: We have asked employers what their employment requirements are given they are looking at providing work experience for youth.
Jaydean Miller: We hadn't planned to, but there may be some schools or job sites that require it and have had that in the past.
Irene Brenon: We feel that it is important to prepare young adults for their future employment. It will probably be required for many jobs that they apply for...
Diane C. Hoggard: We are a close-knit rural area and we know most of the potential employers. It's easy to get this information from them.
Irene Brenon: It is also good for worksites to know that the job candidates are ready to work

Question: How are you defining "work readiness"?
Jaydean Miller: This is an old conflict -- and we are waiting to get some state guidance on their perimeters for this. Who decides?
Lisa Stern: Personally, I don't like the term "work readiness." Ready to Work means the employer has given specifications about what they need and the young person has been able to demonstrate that they have those skills. Our "work readiness" is that the young person has a career goal, a focused resume, and is able to answer the following question: Why Should I Hire You?
Irene Brenon: We have a document that is completed weekly by the worksite supervisor giving us feedback on the employee's performance looking at various areas of performance. Covers all areas of basic work behaviors. Must show improvement weekly.
Diane C. Hoggard: A tool used to assess where we can place individuals. We let them know how to dress properly. How to complete an employment application. We try to match the customer’s skills with the employer’s expectations.
Lisa Stern: Otherwise, young people (or anyone for that matter) that has one or multiple barriers to employment may never be "work ready" according to some definitions.

Question: How are you collaborating with partners? Are you extending hours at your one-stop?
Linda Cobb: In NJ we're using Adkins Life Skills 8 hours class with financial literacy.
Irene Brenon: Since limited hours are available through the Community College in the summer months, we use Catapult Learning, onsite at the workforce center to provide GED/HSED prep, basic remediation, etc.
Lisa Stern: We've expanded our hours 2 nights per week.
Diane C. Hoggard: We use an Employer Satisfaction Survey to determine how satisfied (or not) the employer is with the employee. We also ask for feedback from the employee in relation to the job. We also have non-traditional hours to accommodate our customers, partners and staff.
Linda Cobb: We are expanding our hours to nights and weekends to accommodate the Work readiness Certificate program.
Irene Brenon: Extended hours (until 8 PM) during the week and 8-4 on Saturdays in April and into May
Sandra Lancaster: We currently have Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00. We are adding weekday evening to 6:00 PM.
Jaydean Miller: We open and 7:00 am and have become quite busy. Although most partners (state, esp) will not work beyond 8-5 M-f.
Bridget Brown 2: Many of NAWDP's members have indicated that they have extended the hours they are open, with more evening hours. Some have included weekend hours
Jocelyn VanGelder: In New York we anticipate extended hours but we do not know the exact plans yet.
Linda Fitzgerald: At Parks Hills our Unitec Career Center is able be very responsive to our needs for training and adjusts summer hours and course contact to our needs.
Lisa Stern: Our State staff will stay until 6 :-)
Diane C. Hoggard: Our non-traditional hours are Tuesday(s), 8am - 8pm.
Irene Brenon: Through integration, we have gotten cooperation from state staff to work nights and weekends
Lisa Stern: We are looking to contract with trainers who can offer workshops at different times throughout the community (especially at the library) - to hit more people where they live.
Marsha Lindsey: In Texas, hours vary by different Board area. Some open 1 + evenings per week. Few open weekends.

Question: Do some of you use mobile units to reach your customers?
Irene Brenon: Yes, we have a mobile unit the assist with outreach
Lisa Stern: We have one on the Eastern Shore of Maryland -- but it's not typically available anywhere else throughout the state.
Jaydean Miller: We are working closely with our libraries. They have started a Job Lab on Tues nights and Saturday to help and really working to help people.
Jaydean Miller: We are in the works of possibly using Stimulus $$$ for a mobile lab.
Jocelyn VanGelder: In the Finger Lakes we just purchased a new mobile unit and we are excited about all of the possibilities.
Sandra Lancaster: The Michigan Works in Jackson Michigan already has a mobile lab. You can view it on their website. You can view it by going to www.scmw.org
Liz Jalbert: Is a mobile lab a classroom or a traveling Career Center?
Sandra Lancaster: The unit Jackson MW! has is a mobile computer lab that can be used in a variety of different ways.
Shiloh Cooper: Our mobile lab is a group of laptops that can be taken on site to an employer or a library

Question: Is business services well coordinated with case management team? Is job development occurring (who does it and how)?
Irene Brenon: It is well coordinated here. We have Industry Specialists that work specifically with employers and recruiters that work with case management staff and job seekers. This isn't really a job development model, but a model that responds to the needs of employers
Lisa Stern: I'm curious how many industry specialists you have, Irene.
Lisa Stern:...and how many case managers.
Irene Brenon: Six each with designated target industries and territories
Diane C. Hoggard: Yes, our business services is well coordinated with case management. We partner with our Economic Developer who keeps us abreast of new businesses coming (and going) here in North Carolina. We get first -hand knowledge and can put this information into action.
Irene Brenon: 6 WIA AD/DW 5 Youth Career Advisors 2 Recruiters 6 Career Coaches 10 Employment Specialists
Lisa Stern: Oh my gosh, Irene, I want to come work with YOU!!!
Irene Brenon: And more to come with stimulus

Question: will you be hiring more staff with the stimulus dollars?
Jaydean Miller: at least part-time or contract employment
Linda Cobb: No it is temporary money.
Lisa Stern: We'll be doing more contracting - and possibly one 1/2 time person.
Irene Brenon: limited term employees
Marsha Lindsey: Yes, part-time & contract. When stimulus $$ go, so do these staff.
Curtis Hardman: Ours would be limited term.
Bridget Brown 2: wow - I'm surprised it is not more - when factoring in the new youth programs.
Liz Jalbert: There will be hiring, but not permanent staff
Lisa Stern: That is one way we will be focusing our stimulus $ - to offer paid work experiences and OJTs to employers.
Jaydean Miller: Yes - we will be looking at the WE and OJTs also.

Question: How are you finding employment opportunities in this poor economy? Are employer incentives (OJT, Apprenticeships) working?
Marsha Lindsey: Very difficult finding unsubsidized employment opportunities. Subsidized employment opportunities seem to be welcome to some employers.
Irene Brenon: We also will focus on OJTs. We believe that will stimulate the economy two-fold
Diane C. Hoggard: We have an increased number of layoffs here. In collaboration with the Employment Security Commission, we provide job referrals; First Stop Registrations (DSS) assistance; interview assistance, etc.

Question: What are your TANF best practices for working with the hardest to serve?
Marsha Lindsey: We do some limited co-enrollment. Deciding factor is the TANF customer's needs.
Jaydean Miller: In MO with immediate engagement, the numbers are so big - much of what is done is just paperwork. Case loads are over 150 per staff.
Linda Fitzgerald: At Park Hills, we do a lot of co-enrollment and try to provide as much training as programs allow.
Jaydean Miller: We do co-enrollments as much as possible and as much as $$ allow.
Jaydean Miller: One of the things we are doing is working with community college to provide some basic computer skills to everyone that we see. Lack of these skills is overwhelming.
Lisa Stern: Same here!
Diane C. Hoggard: Dido!
Liz Jalbert: Our adult education program provides free computer classes as does our libraries
Lisa Stern: Do you not have huge waiting lists for those?
Liz Jalbert: no, the Adult ed ones are open entrance, open exit, so it seems folks find space when they need it

Question: What comments do you have about today's session?
Marsha Lindsey: Like hearing about best practices in other states. More specifics & resources would be appreciated - maybe the blog would be a good place to post this type of detail.
Linda Fitzgerald: We think it's helpful anytime you can share best practices--we are excited about this opportunity!
Jaydean Miller: I really liked this and found it helpful. I think the BLOG will be great and additional specific topics for this type environment.
Lisa Stern: Definitely agree on the specific topics.
Diane C. Hoggard: I enjoyed this opportunity to share best practices. I learned a lot today. We can always use more training to enable us to be more efficient in our efforts to serve the community and partners.
Bridget Brown 2: would love to see a best practices on serving adults with limited numeracy/literacy skills.
Marsha Lindsey: Can we invite others in our State to participate in the blog?
Ann: Definitely - please invite others.
Diane C. Hoggard: is this site limited to Center Managers only?
Ann: What do you think? Should it be or should we allow all to join?
Bridget Brown 2: Is there any downside in opening it up to those other than managers? There may be some creative people out there who could contribute a lot to the conversation, but are not center managers
Marsha Lindsey: Individuals at the Board/State level who are responsible for oversight, policy development, etc. would benefit from this type of information.
Diane C. Hoggard: We could ask for Case Managers input regarding their area of expertise.
Irene Brenon: Good for talent development...
Diane C. Hoggard: Thank you both.
Bridget Brown 2: Thanks all!
Marsha Lindsey: Yes, thank you for hosting this Webinar.
Dynamic Works: Have a great week!

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