Members Present: Desmond Baker, Hon. Lisa Blunt-Bradley, Julian Booker, Ed Capadanno, Hon. Thomas Carper, Judy Cherry, Alice Coleman, Cliff Crouch, William DeLauder, Lozelle DeLuz, Teresa Gallagher, Orlando George, Hon. Thomas Gordon, Linda Graham, Hon. Jim Hutchison, Sam Lathem, Joe Letnaunchyn, Bill McCloskey, John McMahon, Frank Mossman, Mike Ratchford, Sandra Reyes, Janice Rheingold, Fred Sears, Doug Smith, Bob Stickels, Jeff Swain, Fred Tennille, Duane Wayman, Hon. Dallas Winslow, Valerie Woodruff.

1. Welcome - Chairman Fred Sears welcomed WIB members and Governor Tom Carper. A quorum was present.

2. Meeting Minutes of November 22, 1999 were approved.

3. Committee Reports:

Policy & Planning - Fred Sears

• Executive Order - Mike Benefield gave an overview of this document, which was mailed to all members for review prior to this meeting. (The signed Executive Order #75 is attached).

• Bylaws - Gil Smith reviewed the Bylaws, mailed to members on 1/15/00. After discussion and two modifications, the bylaws were then unamiously approved by the Board. (copy attached)

Performance Measurement/Customer Satisfaction - Judy Cherry
This committee has held two meetings since the last board meeting.
She stated that at the last meeting this committee discussed customer satisfaction surveys. Committee is also reviewing the State Plan. She then stated that USDOL is still making changes to many of the definitions for required data to be in place by July 1, 2000. The committee, at present, is waiting to receive final guidelines from feds before proceeding any further. The latest information is that data will be received in mid February.

Public Relations & Outreach - Secretary Blunt-Bradley
Lisa reported on the selection of Target Audiences by this committee - (#1 employers & #2 Individuals), the One-Stop Career Center, and the WIB /Web page. Also discussed were the TV showings focusing on employers and businesses, and the numerous employer strategies to use, which were discussed at the last committee meeting.

Finally, she stated that at the next committee meeting, a forum of experts had been invited to give presentations on who this targeted population is (including the homeless) and how to connect with them.

All Board Members are invited to attend.

Proposal Review & Certification - Duane Wayman
Duane reported that, at last two meetings of this committee, discussions included provider certification & ITA. He stated that a new group is involved, the OOLMI in the Department of Labor, who will produce the consumer report card and other data. The two providers to be served are 1) post secondary/education and 2) public/private. He then discussed the exchange of information & data between this committee and the policy & planning committee.

Finally, Duane discussed important upcoming scheduled dates, including April 27 & 28, the youth and adult proposal reviews, and asked that all members participate if at all possible.

Youth Council - John McMahon
John stated that this committee had drafted a youth plan which was approved and their deadlines were met. Any modifications will be sent to Feds. A motion was made for Board approval of this plan. Motion passed unanimously.

4. State Plan - Mike Benefield reviewed the 5 year plan, which is required by the Act. He stated that the plan is almost complete while staff continues to wait for final regulations from USDOL. The plan must be submitted by April 1, 2000. Any changes will be sent in to Feds as amendments. 

Discussion continued on the new things included in this document such as the elimination of JTPA & contracts, with the replacement of WIB & vouchers, the requirement for the establishment Youth Council, meeting the needs of the young people, and the One-Stop Service System.

Finally, Mike commented on the public comment period which starts February 1st through February 18th. On 2/2l/00 revisions will begin. March 10th, (next board meeting), the Plan will be presented for approval. March 24th, will forward to Regional Office, and March 27th deadline to contact State Clearinghouse to set-up account to start receiving funds.

The Governor then spoke briefly, with comments to the board on its goals and objectives, skills training, and job placements. 

5. Other Board Business - none.

6. Next Board Meeting -

March 10, 2000 at 9:00 A.M.
Clayton Hall
University of Delaware