Minutes of February 26, 2003
Office of Occupational Labor Market Information
9:30 a.m.
Members: Chairman John McMahon, Desmond Baker, Pete Booker, Jeff Bross, Ed Capodanno, Alice Coleman, Pat Creedon, Patricia DiEmidio, Tony Felicia, Bruce Fitzgerald, Orlando George, David Gibson, Hon. Saundra Johnson, Sam Lathem, Sen. Robert Marshall, Hon.Vince Meconi, Michael Ratchford, Sandy Reyes, Fred Sears, Diane Sole, Hon. Harold Stafford, David Tanner, Hon. Valerie Woodruff.
Guests: Elaine Archangelo, Norm Baillie, Dick Howard, Sheena Lidurd, Don Lloyd, Lenita Jacobs-Simmons, Michael Strine, Ed Toss
Staff: Anne Farley, Tom Smith, Patricia Cannon, Andria Viola, Gwen Jones
Welcome and Call for Quorum - Chairman, John McMahon called the meeting to order and called for a quorum. Patty Cannon confirmed that there was a quorum.
Approval of Minutes - Pete Booker made a motion to accept minutes. Seconded by Sam Lathem. Motion carried.
Chairman's Report
Educational Forum - Chairman, John McMahon spoke about the Educational Forum that the Workforce Investment Board held on October 11, 2002 . Attendees were surveyed, expressing an 8.6 satisfaction rating.
Bio Technology Forum - A new initiative has been developed as a result of discussions between Judy Cherry, Director of DEDO, and David Weir of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. Assistant Secretary of Labor, Emily De Rocco will be looking at this region with regard to the Bio-technology Industry by hosting a forum. Patricia Cannon, Executive Director of the DEWIB will be working toward Delaware hosting this forum.
Lenita Jacobs-Simmons, Regional Administrator, US DOL, Philadelphia , was in attendance to speak to the Board. Lenita began by discussing performance for the states in this region. She spoke on behalf of Assistant Secretary of Labor whose goal is to improve performance and goals. “ Delaware is one of four states in this region being sanctioned for performance. The Regional office takes responsibility emphasizing that this is a partnership. We need to look at what happened. Is it negotiated performance levels, economic conditions, and how do we improve our business? Our ultimate goal is to get people employed or re-employed. US DOL Regional is going to be meeting with Delaware state staff. We believe we have to look at the economy in Delaware . Look at as much data as we can and find what the right performance rate is for Delaware . We have reviewed state numbers and are very concerned about the earnings change.” Lenita recommended we:
• Look at root cause and find solutions
• Identify rules and get waivers for rules that impede our progress
• Identify the people who are in our performance figures this year and how they affect our performance
• Engage Executive Director, Patricia Cannon even more so with our business partners to meet their needs
• Who are we serving in our One-Stops? (Providers can be issue)
The sanction amount will be small for Delaware . Delaware will have an opportunity to appeal and it does look like the states identified will be sanctioned. Lenita expressed her support of sanctions because it is in agreement with Congress. Lenita stated her opinion, that “for a Sate Board, Delaware 's number one concern should be performance and making policy level decisions that make programs successful for the people we serve.”
Senator Bobby Marshall asked for clarification of the term “the people we serve”.
Lenita responded that WIA serves a universal population. You get to determine who you will serve. US DOL does not require Delaware to serve the “hardest to serve”.
Secretary Sandy Johnson asked “What is the basis on what we are being sanctioned for?”
Lenita responded “Are the people you have trained employed? Look at earnings for 2 nd and 3 rd quarter after exit.” Lenita further recommended:
• Make sure you have mix of services and remember service design affects performance
• Dissect data/information every kind of way (staff to help), and you need your Board members to share a strategic mission
• Need to determine if a $23,000 sanction is worth not serving who you serve
RFP Process – Chairman, John McMahon thanked everyone who participated in the RFP process. Special thanks to Duane Wayman, DET and DEWIB staff and Committees for the day spent working at the Dover Sheraton for Proposal Presentations. He also expressed concern about the Board members who have not actively worked on this process.
Committee Reports/Consolidation
Each committee presented their final funding decisions as presented at the Consolidation meeting held on February 2/24/03 and presented to the Executive Committee for approval.
Jeff Bross made a motion to adopt the funding recommendations as put before the Board. Fred Sears seconded the motion. Motion was carried. Not voting on this motion are Dr. Orlando George, Senator Bobby Marshall and Dr. Diane Sole.
LEHD – Jim McFadden reported on LEHD (Longitudinal Employer Household Dynamics) and how it will assist in helping to identify data to present to DOL to renegotiate performance levels as well as provide documentation essential to workforce and economic development.
Sam Lathem hopes we will have discussion to make a decision to continue to serve those individuals with the greatest need. Several members concurred including Chairman McMahon. Sam also suggested an Advisory Committee for the Board. Secretary Sandy Johnson suggested the Board select a date for a strategic meeting.
Old Business - None
New Business - Chairman McMahon is sending a letter to the Governor to examine those members who are inactive for the purpose of Board recertification.
There was discussion about the sanction issue and how it should be presented to the public. Jeff Bross and Pete Booker expressed concern about announcing the sanction and how we let the public know what's being done.
Lenita stated that US DOL Regional will get a press release to us before it is announced.
Meeting adjourned. The next Board meeting will be held on May 14, 2003 at Poly Tech Adult Education Conference Center .