CMT Meeting Minutes, July 1

Missoula CMT Core Group Meeting
Thursday, July 1, 2010

Updates
Maggie, Human Resource Council
DPHHS has released some money for a Youth Summer Program, which is currently being operated. The money must be spent by September 1, 2010. The program is very restrictive, serving only 16-18 year olds. The School Lunch program is up and going, and the Housing and Weatherization programs will end on September 30th.

Janet, Vocational Rehabilitation
There are 4 new staff members in the Kalispell VR office. The Missoula staff is stable, they have one new counselor. The addition in staff prompted a remodel of the office work areas. They will have an opening in the future for a part time office support staff member. They are hoping to use some ARRA money to add services including many infrastructure improvements. They will be getting video conferencing capabilities and a service called ubiduo.

Wolf, Missoula Job Service
Smurfit workers are starting to move to prep for college classes at the UM. They have been working with their case managers on training plans. The UM system calls for mandatory computer training, and many students are building on previous classes at LLC and entry classes at UM to get the computer skills they need. The UI Bill has stalled in Congress, we are not sure when or if it will be approved. This has affected many of our customers. A timber grant has been approved for the region, they are still working out details of eligibility and distribution of funds to local areas. There is an OJT NEG (On the Job Training National Emergency Grant) in process. Staffing looks stable at this time.

Monique, Lifelong Learning Center
Fall Schedule will go to press mid-August. Online registration has been running for a year, it is working very well. The LLC has started a new accounting system, in addition to hiring a new employee. There are a few spots left in the summer Transition to College Program. If you know someone who wants to attend, make sure they sign up soon. Monique outlined some of the challenges facing the operation of Adult Basic Education. She discussed funding and services, and the current models for enrollment statewide. Monique is on a Funding Formula Task Force, looking at distribution formulas for funding statewide. The LLC has set up a computer area with some extra pods for ABE customers and students who need computers for homework. An intern currently monitors the computer area.

Discussion
The CMT Core Group discussed the Full Group meetings, every 6 months. It was decided that they seem to meet the needs of the organizations at this frequency, so we will keep it that way. If we are in need of meeting space, there is room at First Interstate Bank Downtown and the new Missoula Federal Credit Union building on Brooks.

Brainstorm
The group brainstormed the possibility of a bus/tour training in the late fall or early winter. We could do tours on site based on groups/location/size. This would allow staff the opportunity to get out and experience the areas and services to which we most commonly refer people. We will look at dates and see what would work, and see if Mountain Line could donate a bus for transportation.

Experience Works
Russ Johnson has replaced Gary Gilbert as the manager of Experience Works. Russ previously worked for REO in Missoula, and participated in the CMT.

Next Meeting
The next Core Group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 9th, at 9:00 am at Job Service.