DELAWARE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

Christiana Hilton – Newark

Board Meeting – June 6, 2006

9:30 a.m.

Attendees: Chairman John McMahon, Desmond Baker, Jeff Bross, Hon. Judy Cherry, Hon. Charles Copeland, Craig Crouch, James Hutchison, Robert Lau, Joe Letnaunchyn, Carole Orr, Jim Randall, Ben Shaw, Dana Shreve, Diane Sole, Duane Wayman.

DOL Staff: Bob Strong, Diane Brooks, Bob Clarkin, Tom Smith, Tom MacPherson.

DWIB Staff: Gwen Jones, Julia Hayward

Guests: Bill Abernathy, Amy Benjamin, Linda Carmichael, Dana Sawyer, Sue Zawislak, Bob Lydum, Bob Goodhart

Call for a Quorum – Chairman John McMahon

Welcome and Introductions – Chairman John McMahon

Approval of Minutes – Motion made by Duane Wayman to approve the February 28, 2006 Board minutes. Seconded by Robert Lau. Motion carried.


Chairman’s Report

Executive Director – Chairman John McMahon expressed his pleasure to announce the appointment of Gwen Jones as Executive Director of the Delaware Workforce Investment Board (DWIB). Gwen Jones introduced Julia Hayward to the Board members as the newly appointed Executive Assistant to the DWIB .

2007 Board Meeting Schedule – Please review the scheduled board meeting dates in your packet.

Board Membership & Committee Assignments – We are in need of approximately 4-5 members from the business community to participate on the Board. Chairman McMahon respectfully requested suggestions or recommendations be provided to he or Gwen who will then forward to the Governor’s office. We can then maintain the 51% majority which has to exist for us to be in compliance with the federal statute.

GED/Services/Testing Fees - Referring to the constant low unemployment rate, Chairman McMahon talked about the need for adult basic education services. Many of the One-Stop customers don’t have a GED and there currently isn’t a mechanism in place to refer these individuals for adult education services. A diploma or GED is required for most of the occupational training courses. There are very few meaningful job opportunities that you can apply for without a high school diploma or GED.

GED/Services/Testing Fees (continued) - Bob Clarkin reported that he is working with Fran Tracy-Mumford of the Department of Education, to implement a pilot program using incentive grant funds that would address assessment and employment plans for individuals.

Revisit Strategic Plan - A copy of the strategic planning retreat from January 2005 are in your packet. It was a two-day retreat we held at Dover Downs outlining major goals and objectives. The Executive Committee recommends a one-day retreat in January or early February 2007 to review our current plan and to develop our future goals. A date and location in the Dover area, to accommodate both ends of the state, will be set as soon as possible.

U.I. Training Tax Collections - Chairman McMahon reported that in March we had outstanding delinquencies totaling $298,000. These dollars are crucial to our success. Tom MacPherson’s staff has been working diligently to collect this money (now down to $186,170). Most of these funds are not long term delinquencies that are owed, but 60-90 days owed. There are 2,042 out of 2,459 employers who owe between $2 and $200 dollars totaling $82,377. It is the wish of the Executive Committee and this Board that these dollars be pursued aggressively in order to address the training needs of the citizens of Delaware .

Current Incentive Grant Initiatives - In the absence of Sec. Woodruff, Bob Strong reported that last year’s incentive grant was for $776,272 of which $75,000 was set aside for infrastructure/upgrades to the Dover One-Stop. Not much has been expended. Once again we have met our goals for PY 2004 and are eligible for an incentive grant in the amount of $646,569.

Announcement of Eligibility of New Incentive Grant - The new incentive grant of $646,569 for meeting performance measures in 2004 will be available to dispense by July 1, 2007 . Some of the things on the table include a youth program, adult basic education, Apprenticeship & Training program for youth and a proposal to replace VCNet.

Bio-Tech Grant Update – Bob Lydum from Agilent Technologies and Susan Zawislak from Delaware Technical Community College presented a video entitled, “Train-the-Trainer” on the after school science project. The video introduction was presented by Chairman McMahon. The video will instruct other agencies/organizations how to replicate the science kits and use them in programs for their youth. Bob Lydum provided a brief overview on Agilent Technologies After-School Program noting the success of the project.


Committee Reports

Financial Oversight Committee - Chairman Joe Letnaunchyn reported from the budget report. At the last Executive Committee meeting we agreed on the Blue Collar programs expenditures to transfer $100,000 to the Adult Program ITA’s. The DWIB Executive Director and Support Staff salary line reflects a separation payout for Patty Cannon in December. The Bio-Tech grant was extended through the end of August. There are plans underway to attempt to spend those dollars so as not to return it to the federal government. Joe reported there remains a continual delay in billing from Del Tech which is reflected in the budget report.

Proposal Review and Certification Committee – Chairman Duane Wayman reported that the ITA renewal period for the program providers to renew their courses and submit any new programs is due by May 15th. As soon as they have been processed they will be available on our system by July 1. Duane introduced a Provider Adjustment Form, which is in your packet. This form will be used to expedite a request to add a provider/program to the ITA list. The form will be used only when the case manager in consultation with the client selects an occupational skills training that is in a high demand/high growth field, but is not currently on the ITA list.

A motion was made by Duane Wayman use the Provider Adjustment Form in the ITA approval process. The motion was seconded by Dana Shreve. All in favor. Motion carried.

Duane also talked about the Problem Log that will be used to provide the Board with provider issues that arise from time to time. This log, which is in your packet, will be provided on a regular basis.

Performance Measures & Customer Satisfaction - Bob Clarkin reported in Jeff Bross ’ absence. The report in your packet reflects our most recent report through the 3rd quarter of this year. Accurately reporting the attainment of the credential rates with older youth is the one measure we failed to meet. Tom Smith’s staff contacted the providers to make sure they correctly report to us the attainment of the credentials. Our 4th quarter report which will roll into our Annual report is due by August 14, 2006 . We plan to run a preliminary report the week of July 10, 2006 . This is the third year in a row we have met or exceeded all our measures.

Youth Council - Chairman Dana Shreve informed the committee of the upcoming Youth Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 11, 2006 . Representatives from state agencies and youth organizations will be present as we work toward focusing on the New Federal Youth Vision. These representatives are assisting with creating a vision/mission statement as we prepare to move forward in meeting the challenges today’s youth are facing.

Public Relations and Community Outreach Committee - Gwen Jones reported in Pat Creedon ’s absence. We are currently working on providing a brochure to the community because the public does not know the DWIB and what it does. We will also begin publishing a newsletter to include “success stories”. Gwen informed the committee that we are often approached by grant seekers who are trying to obtain federal funding. Within those grant solicitations there is always a requirement/suggestion that the grant seekers have a relationship with their workforce investment board. This committee could be used as a forum for grant seekers to discuss the kinds of grants they are applying for. These organization/agencies usually ask that we provide letters of support or request the expertise of the Board in some area.

Old Business – N/A

New Business - Chairman McMahon informed the committee of the Energy Summit at Dover Downs on June 20, 2006 for interested Small Business owners. The Department of Defense is eliminating some of their base sites. The National Guard site on Kirkwood Highway in Delaware is one that will be closed down. If you have any economic development ideas or thoughts as to the utilization of this property, contact Judy Cherry, Director of Delaware Economic Development.

Adjournment