Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Strategic Planning Update
Still working on the Strategic Plan. With the resignation of the President Elect, I needed to review what had been drafted and see if it was still appropriate. I believe I have somewhat finalized it until we have a new president elected and a new slate of officers in place. Since most of the Plan and associated strategies are items from past surveys, plans and ideas, I am hoping what we have drafted won't change much. I will keep you posted and if you have any ideas, please let me know.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers Funding Cuts
Legislation on the House floor being debated this week to zero-out all new funding for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grant programs until July, 2012. If this proposal becomes law, states would not receive their July, 2011 allotment and their advance appropriations in October, 2011. Please write your Congressional delegation urging their opposition to this draconian proposal.
Background
On February 11, 2011, the House Committee on Appropriations released a comprehensive list of spending cuts. These spending cuts are contained in H.R. 1, legislation to fund all Federal Agencies and Departments, other than Defense, until September 30, 2011, the end of the current fiscal year. It would do the following:
1. H.R. 1 would eliminate all new funding for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grants in program year 2011 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).
2. H.R. 1 would eliminate funding states normally receive on July 1 (the beginning of the new Program Year) and eliminate the "Advance Appropriation" states normally receive on October 1 (the beginning of the 2012 Fiscal Year).
3. H.R. 1 would rescind $100 million in unobligated balances from the Dislocated Workers Assistance National Reserve for 2010 and rescind $65 million from Dislocated Workers Assistance State Grants. ($10 million would be rescinded for evaluation).
What You Can Do:
I encourage you to contact your Congressional delegation expressing opposition. Your message can be as follows:
• All funding for the Workforce Investment Act (Youth, Adult and Dislocated Worker programs) would be eliminated for Program Year 2011, threatening the existence of the publicly-funded workforce system.
• With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 9% and youth unemployment rates at an astounding 26.3% for youth ages 16-19 and 16.3% for youth ages 20-24, cuts to critical job training, education and skills programs only serve to further devastate efforts to put Americans, of all ages, back to work.
• Skill development and training is needed now more than ever! After the Great Recession, employers are beginning to hire workers, but often say they are unable to find workers with the appropriate skills match. Eliminating these programs will worsen this problem.
• Highlight the value of WIA programs in your state with specific examples.
Background
On February 11, 2011, the House Committee on Appropriations released a comprehensive list of spending cuts. These spending cuts are contained in H.R. 1, legislation to fund all Federal Agencies and Departments, other than Defense, until September 30, 2011, the end of the current fiscal year. It would do the following:
1. H.R. 1 would eliminate all new funding for WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers formula grants in program year 2011 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).
2. H.R. 1 would eliminate funding states normally receive on July 1 (the beginning of the new Program Year) and eliminate the "Advance Appropriation" states normally receive on October 1 (the beginning of the 2012 Fiscal Year).
3. H.R. 1 would rescind $100 million in unobligated balances from the Dislocated Workers Assistance National Reserve for 2010 and rescind $65 million from Dislocated Workers Assistance State Grants. ($10 million would be rescinded for evaluation).
What You Can Do:
I encourage you to contact your Congressional delegation expressing opposition. Your message can be as follows:
• All funding for the Workforce Investment Act (Youth, Adult and Dislocated Worker programs) would be eliminated for Program Year 2011, threatening the existence of the publicly-funded workforce system.
• With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 9% and youth unemployment rates at an astounding 26.3% for youth ages 16-19 and 16.3% for youth ages 20-24, cuts to critical job training, education and skills programs only serve to further devastate efforts to put Americans, of all ages, back to work.
• Skill development and training is needed now more than ever! After the Great Recession, employers are beginning to hire workers, but often say they are unable to find workers with the appropriate skills match. Eliminating these programs will worsen this problem.
• Highlight the value of WIA programs in your state with specific examples.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Welcome New Workforce Administrators
I suggested we write letters welcoming new workforce system administrators. NASWA published the following list of new administrators. President Vincent will be sending them out shortly. If you live in one of these states, a personal contact about IAWP would be greatly appreciated.
Arizona - Peggy Feenan
California - Martin Morgenstern
Colorado - Ellen Golombek
Connecticut - Glenn Marshall
Georgia - Mark Butler
Hawaii - Dwight Takamine
Iowa - Teresa Wahlert
Kansas - Karin Brownlee (DOL)
Kansas - Pat George (Commerce)
Maine - John Dorrer
Minnesota - Mark Phillips
New Mexico - Celina Bussey
Ohio - Michael Colbert
Oklahoma - Richard McPherson
Pennsylvania - Patrick Beaty
Rhode Island - Charles Fogarty
Tennessee - Karla Davis
Vermont - Annie Noonan
Wisconsin - Manny Perez
Wyoming - Joan Evans
Arizona - Peggy Feenan
California - Martin Morgenstern
Colorado - Ellen Golombek
Connecticut - Glenn Marshall
Georgia - Mark Butler
Hawaii - Dwight Takamine
Iowa - Teresa Wahlert
Kansas - Karin Brownlee (DOL)
Kansas - Pat George (Commerce)
Maine - John Dorrer
Minnesota - Mark Phillips
New Mexico - Celina Bussey
Ohio - Michael Colbert
Oklahoma - Richard McPherson
Pennsylvania - Patrick Beaty
Rhode Island - Charles Fogarty
Tennessee - Karla Davis
Vermont - Annie Noonan
Wisconsin - Manny Perez
Wyoming - Joan Evans
Sunday, February 13, 2011
It's Been A While
Sorry for the lack of postings, but I have been tending to my mom who lives with me and is in failing health. I actually have been doing several things. I wrote an article for the Chapter Activity Countdown explaining the new individual and group awards which will come out in March after the 2010 awards are due. I made my plane reservations to fly to Frankfort, KY in March for awards judging.
I also have done some more work on the WPDP History of Workforce Development study guides. I have them divided in to 4 modules and have done a lot of research on bringing it up to date. Next is to send it to some WPDP masters for review, then I will be ready to develop the new test questions. I am still hopeful to get that accomplished by spring.
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