ODEP Webcast

According to the U.S. Departmentof Labor - In carrying out President Obama's pledge to work toward "an unprecedented level of openness in government," the Office of Disability Employment Policy, joined by leaders across the federal government, hosted a live webcast Sept. 13 to exchange information and perspectives on new and innovative open government strategies. Speakers included Carl Fillichio, the department's senior advisor for communications and public affairs; Michael Reardon, ODEP policy advisor and ePolicyWorks team lead, and leaders from other federal agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The webcast was part of ODEP's ePolicyWorks initiative, which leverages the latest technology to address barriers to employment for people with disabilities and fosters real-time collaboration around key policy issues.

View the archived webcast.

9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Today is a day to reflect back on the horrific events of September 11, 2001, and the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.  I am especially reminded of the brave police officers and firefighters who died in their efforts to save people.  I think about how proud I am of my nephew who is a fireman in Arizona and my brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and best friend who were police officers in California. I remember our service men and women and veterans who serve our country to keep us safe from the terrorists.   I also remember standing, overlooking ground zero in New York City a few years ago trying to imagine what it was like before.  We toured the area guided by a 9/11 survivor, who volunteers her time so that those who died are never forgotten.  I hope to return to New York City to see the new memorial and the new World Trade tower.  Please join me in remembering those that lost there lives in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon on that terrible day.

Assistance for Louisiana and Mississippi

Louisiana and Mississippi will receive assistance with cleanup and recovery efforts related to storm damage from Hurricane Isaac under two National Emergency Grants announced Sept. 6 by Secretary Solis. Louisiana's Workforce Commission was awarded $3,358,017 to fund temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts across the state in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac and a $3 million grant was awarded to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security for cleanup of the widespread damage across the state. Since cleanup work can involve safety and health hazards, the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration also publicized safety precautions to protect workers and the public as they proceed with cleanup in their area.

Labor Day

As I approach this Labor Weekend, I am thinking about how fortunate I have been to part of the workforce development system for 33 years now.  In that many years, I have seen many workforce programs come and go and IAWP has allowed me to keep up to date with current practices and see the big picture of the workforce system. 

The U.S. Department of Labor's website at http://www.dol.gov/laborday/ is full of information, history and pictures about Labor Day.  Please be sure to visit it.

As a special treat for me, my granddaughter Lillian turns one year old on Labor Day, so my entire family will be together celebrating her birthday.  I wish you and your family a safe and fun-filled day.

Secretary Solis Chat

Every year, on the first Monday in September, we honor the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

In advance of Labor Day 2012, Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis will host a live Twitter chat at 2 p.m. EDT, Thursday, August 30.

Join the conversation by using the hashtag #LaborDay2012 or tweet questions in advance to @HildaSolisDOL.

Changes to TAP

The Obama Administration announced major changes to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) which was established to meet the needs of separating military service members during their period of transition into civilian life by offering job-search assistance and other related services.

Currently the program includes a three-day workshop where transitioning service members learn about job searches, career decision-making, current occupational and labor market conditions and effective interviewing techniques.

During a joint hearing House Committees on Veterans Affairs and the Armed Services, Committee members agreed that while expanding transition sessions from three days to five days demonstrated a step in the right direction, military members still should receive greater assistance.The transition program is altered is several key areas. The program will no longer be called the "Transition Assistance Program", it will now be known as "Transition GPS". Key programmatic changes include:

• Individualized Assessments and Counseling: Service members will meet one on one with specialists to complete needs and goals assessments and also receive individualized educational and job training resources specific to the interests of a transitioning service member.
• Core and Career Specific Curriculum: Transition GPS will consist of a five-day core curriculum, which all service members will complete. The Transition GPS program will be comprised of a redesigned employment workshop, as well as a Military Occupational Code Crosswalk to assist service members to translate their military experience to comparable civilian skills and occupations. Service members will also have the option of participating in two additional days of career-specific training on three tracks: a higher education track for those pursuing college degrees, a technical and skills training track for those looking to gain technical training or industry licenses and credentials and an entrepreneurship track for those members wanting to start a business.
• Continuous Transition Training: The new transition program will provide career readiness earlier in the tenure of a service member’s career in the military by providing access to resources to build skills or gain credentials while still in the military.

Transition GPS is planned to be implemented with all the programmatic changes announced this week by the end of 2013 throughout all branches of the military.

August 14, 1935

Tuesday morning, August 14, 2012, a National Birthday Party for Social Security was held at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.  Lynn Bassanese, acting library director, welcomed a gathering of visitors and stressed the vital role Social Security has played in the lives of senior citizens once they no longer are earning a paycheck.  She talked about the prospect faced by such seniors before FDR signed the Social Security Act into law Aug. 14, 1935.  “They were dependent upon family, savings and charity to survive,” Bassanese said.  Since 1935, the program has provided not only old-age pensions, but unemployment insurance, guaranteed income for those unable to work due to disabilities and financial aid to parents with dependent children.  Christopher Breiseth, past president of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, said Social Security, one of FDR’s New Deal programs, established a special bond between the American people and their government in Washington.  “The people are what matter to government, and government should aim to provide all the people under its jurisdiction the best possible life,” he said.