CMT Core Group Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2010
Deverie-Job Corps Update
Marie Garrison has taken over admissions for Job Corps in Missoula. Deverie will focus more on placement, and will continue to manage placement and admissions for Job Corps in Ravalli County. Job Corps is starting to focus more on the soft skills of their participants, and now begin the admissions process with an interview session focusing on soft skills. The participants will fill out a job application and be evaluated on their interview skills. This will happen before they begin the program. Job Corps has an 80% placement rate after graduation. Job Corps will also begin piloting Industry Sector Centers, where centers focus more on specific industries and there is less duplication between centers. For example, Kicking Horse may focus more on Mechanics and Health Professions. They are going to cut their culinary and carpentry programs.
Wolf-Job Service
This was the first week of school for many past Smurfit employees. Thanks to the LLC and the COT for all the work they did to prepare participants for their schooling. Wolf will talk with Diana to better streamline the process for participants getting the books and tools they need for their programs and courses. There is a new OJT (On the Job Training) grant that will be distributed throughout the state by population. This grant starts in early October and ends on June 30th. If you know employers who are interested in training new employees, have them contact the Job Service. The OJT Grant targets dislocated workers, workers who have been laid off from their previous jobs. The Job Service is seeing a downturn in mass layoffs, but many job seekers are long-term unemployed. Job Service has started up some new workshops, one on Basic Job Search Skills and one on Online Applications and Email accounts. Call Job Service for more information. The UI (Unemployment) Phone call workshop on Wednesdays is still busy. It is still taking many people weeks to get their UI benefits. The Disability Navigator grant has been moved to DPHHS and extended through June 2011. The Department of Labor is applying for a grant that would continue to fund the Navigators and make the Job Service part of the Ticket to Work Program.
Monique and Jodie-Lifelong Learning Center
The LLC only got four applicants for their recent job opening. There seem to be some issues with the new online application for MCPS. Testing certificates are required for many MCPS openings, and when those are not attached the application can be flagged as incomplete. Monique is on several committees right now, examining education in Montana. ABE (Adult Basic Education) funding actually increased this year, which was surprising. They were expecting a decrease in funds. The LLC is changing their ABE schedule; they will not offer classes on Thursday afternoons. They are also moving to a managed enrollment system for ABE, regulating the number of people who will attend classes at certain times. The managed enrollment will likely increase demand on ABE. The Even Start program has also had some changes. The program starts in October, and the LLC has opened up evenings three nights each week from October to March. The new partnership between LLC and Home Resource is working out great. There is a tool library at Home Resource and people can rent time in the Home Resource wood shop. Scholarships are available for classes at Home Resource through LLC. In September the LLC starts putting together their winter schedule, and they are always on the lookout for good instructors. If you meet people with interesting work history and skills please tell them about the opportunity to teach at LLC. The LLC will double their parking lot in October, and install lights in the new parking lot.
Michelle-Child Care Resources
Child Care Resources is going through many transitions. Right now statewide they are streamlining and centralizing services. They are currently waiting on grants and budgets. They will be moving to 105 East Pine off Pine and Higgins, to a first floor space. They are interviewing candidates for a new Development Director position.
Jim and Maggie-Human Resource Council
Many of the youth that work with the HRC through their youth programs have difficulties with employment and enrolling in programs, because after two requests for a social security card, drivers license, or birth certificate the requests are held up for a long time. This is due to Homeland Security. A small summer youth program at HRC just finished up. The program did not allow for any supportive services, so many youth could not be served by the program. The summer lunch program in Mineral County was very successful. In October the LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) will be starting up. The Rapid ReHousing program will wrap up in October, and will not be renewed. HRC found that many landlords were carrying renters for up to three months when they fell behind on rent due to job loss.
Diana-College of Technology
The COT just wrapped up their largest orientation ever, over 500 students attended. Enrollment is up 40% at the COT this fall. They are adding classes, but having trouble recruiting and retaining instructors, as the main campus offers better pay and many instructors leave the COT for the main campus. Veterans Upward Bound has started, and there is a new Personal Finance program for Veterans. The COT will be starting a Veterans Upward Bound program in Hamilton this fall.
Future Planning
The group discussed the possibility of a resource fair in the late fall or early winter. We also discussed cross training, and the possibility of some stress reduction and compassion fatigue cross training. We will hold a full CMT meeting on the 22nd or 23rd of this month at Mountain West Bank. Saundra will check availability and send out an announcement.
Next Meeting
The next full CMT meeting will be on September 23rd from 3-5 pm at Mountain West Bank next to Costco. The next Core Group CMT meeting will be on October 7th at 9:00 am at the Job Service.
