Minutes

DuPage Workforce Innovation Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

7:30am-9:00am

2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 303, Lisle, IL

Joe Cassidy presented the fiscal report. He reviewed the fiscal year vs the program year. He indicated that the allocation of funds came out very late last year which delayed spending. 80% of the allocation needs to spent by 6/30/18 and 40% of the funds must be for direct training costs. There is generally a carry-over of 20% for the next fiscal year because only 10% of funds are released for Q1 spending. AS of 12/31/17, 47% of 1A dollars have been allocated and 45% of 1D funds have been obligated. Almost all 1Y dollars have been obligated. We are at 34% of the required 40% of spending towards the training minimum of 40%. Joe also discussed other grants including DEI, TAA and CSBG. DEI is virtually spent and CSBG has been fully spent. There are NOFOs that have been released by the State and Lisa has indicated that there are currently no plans to apply for additional funding. She mentioned that there has been an increase in Incumbent Worker Training, a grant which helps companies train their existing workforce. Lisa discussed the TAA program and the costs associated with administering the program. The case management costs are higher than what the State reimburses, so Lisa is forced to spend WIOA dollars on TAA case management. Also, the number of Trade events has increased dramatically. Lisa has expressed her concerns to DCEO and will keep the Board updated on any developments with the program as they arise. Currently, Title I is responsible for the administration of the Trade Program and Lisa may explore other ways to administer the program which are more cost effective and require less staff time.

Lisa provided an update on the internal processes at the Center. The Intake staff are now Navigators and guide clients through all the services available in the Center. This approach is more in line with WIOA as it incorporates all the Partner agencies housed at the Center. Processes are being changed as necessary to ensure services are being delivered in the most effective way.

The Center has signed a contract to redesign the Center’s website and that process is underway. The new site will incorporate the services offered by the Partner agencies housed at the Center which aligns with WIOA law.

Lisa also discussed opportunities for involvement for Board members. She is working on an initiative to address the opioid epidemic that is prevalent in DuPage County and across the U.S. The initiative would address some of the skills gaps in the County specifically in the manufacturing industry and work to provide training to individuals who are currently incarcerated to provide them with certifications which would make them more marketable once they are released. This idea is in the planning stages, but this is one way to potentially expand the way that WIOA dollars are utilized to train the workforce in DuPage County.

Barb Szczepaniak commented that another area for exploration is in the early childhood area. There are many unfilled jobs in early childhood education; there are many college graduates that do not qualify for early childhood jobs because they don’t have the proper certification to teach at certain grade levels. Barb plans to bring more information to the Board about this issue.

Jamie commented that the Partner Meetings have been going well, everyone is willing to work towards the common goal of helping all the clients that come to the Center.

Susi Pihera, the Rapid Response Coordinator presented about WARN events. Susi is responsible for presenting the Center’s services to employees of companies who have received notice they will be laid off. She discussed the criteria for WARN events as the Federal and State level and the guidelines companies are required to follow when a WARN event occurs. When Susi attends a WARN event, she presents the Center’s services available to the employees and gathers information about the affected workers, such as job title, wage, etc. Representatives from IDES also present information in unemployment insurance benefits. Susi also identified some of the challenges surrounding WARN events, such as company engagement, employee interest, employee wage, severance packages, etc. Sometimes affected workers are not receptive to information as they are working through the emotions they are dealing with as it relates to being unemployed. The question was asked about turnaround time for WARN events, and Susi indicated it is dependent upon different variables including, time of layoff, cooperation of employer, etc. Susi also indicated that some employers are more forthcoming than others regarding WARN events which can impact outreach efforts.

Dan Deasy discussed ABE options through COD for clients as it relates to onsite ELL options for companies that have WARN events for employees who may need services in different languages. Dan also discussed the ICAPS model, which allows students to earn their GED and stackable certifications simultaneously.

Minutes

DuPage Workforce Innovation Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

7:30am-9:00am

2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 303, Lisle, IL

Members Present

Members Absent

Others Present

Public Comment

Review of November 15, 2017 minutes

Slate of Officers

Training Provider Certifications

OSO Procurement Findings-Conflict of Interest Policy

WIOA Fiscal Report

workNet DuPage Update

WARN Presentation

Adjournment