SENECA COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
“Collaborate to Compete”

November 4, 2003

Present:
Tony Allen, Bob Anderson, Mark Brause, Lucretia Breidenbach, Stephanie Cahill,Autumn Clouse, Cheryl Denny, Sue Fowler, Tammy Gillett, Bert Gonzales, Candelero Guzman, Leah Harper, Lisa Heyman, Pauline Kuhn, Bonnie Nusser, Jim Oliver, Kathy Oliver, Cheryl Placko, Tony Mass, Lynn Tucker-Roberts, Dennis Studrawa, Sr. Mary Toll, Eric Welty, Suzanne Willacker

Welcome:
Mr. Studrawa welcomed everyone. Introductions were made and everyone was asked to state what Workforce Development meant to them. Mr. Studarwa asked everyone to challenge the agenda.

Cheryl Denny made a motion to approve the 7-29-03 meeting minutes. Lynn Tucker-Roberts second that motion. The 7-29-03 meeting minutes were approved as written.

State of the Region:
Ms. Oliver presented information regarding the 5 county collaboration for Sandusky , Seneca, Ottawa , Huron and Erie to become a region. Sandusky County will be the hub. The application will be sent to the 7 th Area Board. Once the draft is completed partner information will need to be added.

Seneca County DJFS Update:
Ms. Oliver reports that there are a series of movements taking place within the building. Some of the Agency Departments are changing office space. When the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services relocates, the One-Stop would then be moved to that area of the building. This would give the One-Stop more space and provide better customer service.

Regional Board Updates:
Ms. Gillett reported on the following:
Marketing Committee - Met on 10-09-03 to discuss ideas for marketing WIA. The Committee stated that messages need to be clear and consistent since there are different names for the One-Stops. Priorities were defined as: 1.Get the message of One Stop and WIA services out to employers, 2. Get the message to highly skilled job seekers, 3. Develop an employer packet of marketing information to use on visits. 4. Work with temporary employment agencies to make them aware of services available and 5. Emphasis that employers have already paid taxes for these services.

Business Relations Committee - Met on 10-17-03 . Discussed meeting with the marketing committee and customer service work groups. It was felt that more frequent contacts needed to be made with employers.

Training Committee – Met on 10-22-03 to work on the In-Demand Occupation Definition for the Sandusky-Seneca Region using Labor market Information from Economic Region 2. (for Sandusky Co.) and Economic Region 6 (for Seneca Co.) Occupations with a projected growth rate of 10% or above and starting pay of a minimum of $8.75 were listed. A copy of the In-Demand Occupation list was distributed.

Board Training Manual - A training is scheduled for the morning of 1-6-04 in Seneca County and in the afternoon of 1-7-04 in Sandusky County for all regional, local, one-stop partners and youth council members who are interested. Contact Tammy Gillett or Carol Owen.

Contract Monitoring Updates:
Ms. Gillett presented information regarding the following contracts:

One-Stop - The Fiscal Audit has been completed. A letter was submitted with the findings on 9-22-03 . The audit went well, with a procurement non-compliance, the only finding. A copy of the audit is available. The program monitoring for the One-Stop contract is scheduled for Monday 11-17-03 .

Youth - The Sandusky/Seneca Region Youth Program Contract Monitoring was completed. We are pleased with the overall services provided. There were a few observations and findings. A corrective action plan was required and has been received. A copy is available.

Regional Youth Council Update:
Ms. Gillett reported that WSOS had presented their monthly report at the 10-22-03 Youth Council Meeting. Cheryl Denny had agreed at that meeting to continue as the chair and Beth Hannam elected to vice-chair. The next Youth Council Meeting will be 1-21-04 at 3PM at the Seneca Co DJFS.

Regional One-Stop Partner Update:
Ms. Gillett provided the update regarding the 10-22-03 One-Stop Partner Meeting. At that meeting Bonnie Nusser had discussed the customer service work group's employer survey completion of which 27 employer surveys had been returned. All of the employers that returned a survey will be contacted individually. A One-Stop Service business guide was complied from the surveys. It was reported that Don Nalley is the new chair and Becky Bohn the new vice-chair for the Regional One-Stop. The next meeting will be 11-18-03 at Vanguard Sentinel. Ms. Nusser will provide partner training on the Northcoast Jobs tracking/referral system.

Self Assessment:
Ms. Gillett reported that the Self-Assessment monitoring tool has been completed for Sandusky/Seneca -Area 7/61 of the Ohio Option. This self assessment is designed to assist the preparation of the One Stops for monitoring visits from board staff or WIA state program monitors. A copy is available. The Sandusky/Seneca State WIA Audit is scheduled for the week of 12-8-03 .

Budget Updates:
Ms. Oliver discussed the Seneca County WIA Projected Budget for State Fiscal Year 2003. A copy of the budget was distributed which delineated income received for Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth, Administrative, Rapid Response and Youth carry ins, as well as expenses for the Terra contract, On-the-Job-Training, Training, Youth contract, Rapid Response and Staffing and Supplies.

One-Stop Update:
Mr. Welty discussed the One-Stop partner participation in the Heritage Festival and the Tiffin Halloween parades. It was a great way to advertise services available through the One-Stop and everyone had a good time as well. Mr. Welty also distributed a schedule of the up coming Employment Workshops. With the upcoming Agency moves, the Computer classes will be temporarily postponed. As soon as the lab is set up, we will post a notice in the newspaper and notify the partners of the schedule. Currently Sentinel Vanguard and the Tiffin Public Library and Fostoria School offer computer classes. Mr. Welty added that he is gathering information in regard to marketing services available through the One-Stop on local radio and cable stations.

Youth Services:
Ms. Harper distributed the Sandusky and Seneca County WIA Youth Report. Discussion included comparison of participation in the 10 program elements between Sandusky and Seneca Counties regarding activities provided, contracted goals and percentage of each goal obtained.

At this time WSOS plans to stop In-School youth enrollment and recruit Out-of-school youth to meet performance.

Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Update:
Ms. Gillett reported that the State continues the reorganization of processing centers and call centers. The Local office will not be moving until the 3 rd quarter of 2004.

New Business:
Proposed Fostoria One-Stop Site

Mr. Welty lead the discussion regarding a proposed One-Stop site in Fostoria . A Fostoria site would benefit Hancock, Wood and Seneca county residents, as the lack of reliable transportation is a major barrier for many individuals. The closing of the previous One-Stop site in Fostoria has made a negative impact on the ability of some individuals to utilize services. Discussions are underway with Hancock and Wood County DJFS, including Fostoria Mayor Davoli, as well as representatives from the Roppe Corporation to pursue options for a combined One-Stop in Fostoria .

Tower Automotive Hiring Event:
Ms. Nusser reports that she is organizing a hiring event for Tower Automotive Industries, Bellevue , OH . A mass recruitment will take place and applications taken. Individuals will be required to complete a TABE assessment, which will be completed at the time of application. It is reported that there are 100 jobs to be filled by May 2004.

Next Meeting:
February 3, 2004 at 8:00AM at the Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services, Conference Room A.