DELAWARE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

Christiana Hilton – Newark, DE

Minutes of March 15, 2005 Board Meeting

9:30 A.M.

Attendees: Chairman John McMahon, Romain Alexander, Dr. John Austin, Ed Capodanno, Pete Booker, Hon. Judy Cherry, Alice Coleman, Patricia Creedon, Craig Crouch, Pat DiEmedio, Fernando Guajardo, Richard Howard, Dr. Ben Hsu, Donna Griffith, Toby Lamb, Robert Lau, Mike Mulrooney, Carole Orr, Ben Shaw, Dana Shreve, Debra Singletary, Ron Walker, Duane Wayman

Guests: Bill Abernathy, Lynn Anderson, Ann Bailey, Beth Brinley, Mike Coverdale, Janet Edwards, Janet Kelleher, Dr. John Kreitzer, Kenyetta McCurdy-Byrd, Susanna Lee, Mary Kate McLaughlin, Mary Slater, Mary Street, Ashok Subraminian, Maureen Tucker

DWIB Staff: Patty Cannon, Gwen Jones, Lisa Brack, Cassandra Stroude

DOL-DET Staff: Anne Farley, Tom Smith

Welcome, Introductions & Call for Quorum - John McMahon, Chairman

Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes - Motion by Duane Wayman to approve the minutes from the October 19, 2004 Board meeting. Seconded by Judy Cherry. Motion carried.

Welcome New Board Members – Chairman John McMahon welcomed new members; Carole Orr (Atlantis Industries, Inc.), Dr. Ben Hsu (Quest Pharmaceuticals), and Toby Lamb (Laborers Local Union #199).

Beth Brinley, US Department of Labor - Beth spoke about the day long WIA Training Meeting held in Philadelphia on March 10, 2005. The key message for this meeting was to present the national direction as each state begins to work on their State Plan. Integrated into the plan will be Economic Development, Workforce, Strategic Partnerships, Youth Vision, and System Alignment (i.e. Education, Health & Systems Services). Plans are due to be done by 5/31/05. US DOL is looking for a great cross section and hope to see the results of partnering to leverage services.

Enclosed in everyone’s packet is a publication titled “Apprenticeship for the 21^st Century” published by US DOL. In this publication the U.S. Department of Labor focuses on the apprenticeship model and recommended implementation strategies within the workforce delivery system.

Judy Cherry reported that the Delaware Workforce Investment Board was a co-sponsor for an Entrepreneurial Forum that was held by Delaware Technical Community College. Judy was a speaker for the program, which hosted sessions for entrepreneurs at all levels. This was certainly a collaborative effort that responded to labor market need. There were 467 people in attendance.

Committee Reports

Proposal Review & Provider Certification – Duane Wayman, Chair reported that DOE Certification is required as a pre-requisite in our continued effort to provide excellent training. The surety bond required by providers will be inclusive under the Department of Education certification. Duane reported that the WIA funding awards have been approved by the Executive Committee. Chairman McMahon called for a motion to approve the WIA funding awards as presented on the PY05 funding spreadsheet. So moved by Ben Shaw and seconded by Jeff Bross. All in favor. Motion carried.

Chairman McMahon asked Board members to consider volunteering as Committee Chairs. Some of those who have been serving have done so faithfully for some time. There will be opportunities for those who would like to chair.

Financial Oversight Committee - Chairman McMahon gave the Financial report. He began by reporting from the DWIB budget. Please note that Travel expenses for the Navigator’s trip to Chicago for training have not yet transferred to the navigator grant. This will be corrected in April and will appear in May’s report. Motion by Duane Wayman to approve the budget. Seconded by Rob Lau. All in favor. Motion carried.

Public Relations Committee – Pete Booker, Chair reported that the co-grantees who oversee the DWIB Disability Program Navigator Grant came to Delaware for a site visit on March 9, 2005 (Ms. Alex Keilty, US DOL and Michael Morris, Law, Health, Policy & Disability Center, U of Iowa). They were very pleased with the way the program is working in Delaware and have an interest in sharing success stories. In addition to the existing newsletter put out by Lisa Brack (Lead Navigator) we are looking to do something of the same nature for the business community. This Committee will get back to efforts to reach the ultimate end users.

Youth Council – Dana Shreve, Chair has no report at this time.

Presentations - Judy Cherry introduced Dr. Subraminian, President of Animedix to talk about Biotechnology. Biotechnology is a combination of computer technology with biology. We have a responsibility to teach this new technology as it is will soon become a part of our lives. Dr. Subraminian has formed a company that is used to facilitate the education of biotechnology by using electronics, tools and animation. There is a lag time of about 10 years in getting this education into the public (i.e. grade schools). Animedix will be one of the co-hosts of BIO2005 which will be the largest assembly of Bio-technology companies in one place. This will be a great forum to collaborate and Delaware will have a good presence at this event in the context of bio-technology.

Patty Cannon showed a video on biotechnology and the projects we have been working on with the Department of Education (Science in Motion Van Project) and the mentors who are being trained at Delaware Technical Community College in order to take technology to schools throughout the state and to share their passion with the students.

Old Business

New Business

Patty Cannon reported that Agilent Technologies will be kicking off the after school program using science project kits. If you have any after school programs that you would like to have participate, please let us know. The US Department of Labor wants us to target 70% of our dollars to after school programs, (i.e. boys & girls clubs, community centers, etc.).

Alice Coleman announced that Valerie Woodruff and Muriel Gillman will be inducted into the Delaware Women’s Hall of fame in Dover at the Modern Maturity Center on March 16, 2005. You can contact the Delaware Commission for Women for more information.

Adjourned - Chairman John McMahon called for a motion to adjourn. Motion by Duane Wayman. Motion seconded by Dana Rob Lau. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.