In Attendance
· Maggie Driscoll, Human Resource Council Dist. XI
· Michelle Dorsey, Missoula Job Service
· Vida Wilkinson, Missoula College UM
· Wolf Ametsbichler, Missoula Job Service
· Janet Van Dyke, Vocational Rehabilitation
· Adam Ragsdale, Missoula Housing Authority
· Kurtis Mayne, Opportunity Resources
· Jodi Rasmussen, Lifelong Learning Center
Agenda/Updates
Janet – Montana Vocational Rehabilitation
A name change is in the works. An official announcement will come once the change is finalized.
Jim Marks continues as director. Mark Cummings’ as supervisor was posted and closed Friday, February 8. Applicants for a support position in Kalispell numbered over 144, many from out of state. Vocational Rehabilitation is implementing a new interviewing method.
Kurtis – Opportunity Resources
The Extended Employment program receives its funding from the general fund and is being targeted for budget cuts. Less supportive workshops may be the result.
Jack Chambers, CEO, is retiring in January of 2014. Jack takes with him 28 years of experience and history. Opportunity Resources will be advertising locally and nationwide to fill his position. The Board of Directors is breaking into teams for the search.
Opportunity Resources is working to bring people to Helena to speak for the legislature.
A revamped website should be up and running in the next few days.
Vida – Missoula College UM
House Bill 14 (HB14) was voted out of committee February 7 with a 4 – 2 vote. HB14 is the funding package for the new Missoula College campus. The Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter of support for the building of a new campus, though they did not specify a location.
Governor Steve Bullock’s visit last Friday was comprehensive. He spent a lot of time going through the buildings on the Missoula College campus and saw how students are learning.
Donna Bakki was recently hired as the program manager for the Big Sky Pathways grant. The grant focuses on developing more dual-enrollment courses and the pathway from high school curriculum to college work. The grant is a renewable 5-year grant. Missoula College is also overseeing the grant for Bitterroot College.
The reorganization of Kevin Brockbank’s former position continues.
Maggie – Human Resource Council District XI
HRC is watching Congress, with special attention to the sequester as much of their funding comes from the federal government.
Demand for LIEAP is strong, though not much more than usual. Across the whole district (Ravalli, Mineral and Missoula counties), 4,000 – 5,000 people receive assistance.
CHIMES is still causing a few hiccups. Once the bugs have been worked out, it will be a very powerful program.
Jodi – Lifelong Learning Center
Three vendors are vying for GED approval. One is the current GED Testing Service, recently purchased by Pearson VUE. Committee members are in the process of voting. Currently there is no word on who the top vendor might be. Hopefully the results will be announced soon so that curriculum development can begin. Some vendors may continue the paper test, while some may only offer computer-based testing. Depending on who is selected, construction may even be needed to accommodate testing center requirements. The new GED test, regardless of vendor, will be administered starting in 2014. Even if Montana chooses a vendor other than the GED Testing Company, the Lifelong Learning Center may try to continue offering the GED test for national standards.
Adam – Missoula Housing Authority
Many things are happening at the Missoula Housing Authority. Several lots have been sold at the Intermountain Lumber site as the project moves forward. A large housing project is in the works at that location.
MHA still owns two lots on Russell Street they are hoping to sell. With their current office out of space, they may lease back one of the lots and build a new, larger office on the location in the future.
The house that was on the Natural Grocers site will be moved and turned into a duplex with help from students. MHA hopes to do a student-build housing project and has an application in with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The first phase of the Mutual Self Help project continues as homes are roofed and work moves to interior finishings. MHA is taking the lead on the Mutual Self Help project from Great Falls-based NeighborWorks Montana.
Some units are still available at the Silvertip, while the Palace project is wrapping up. Additional renovation is scheduled this spring for the lobby and office spaces. Palace renovations have focused on airflow and restoring the historic aesthetic. Some units at the Palace will be available under Section 8, and some will be for those with 30 – 60 percent of area adjusted median income.
MHA hopes to finalize the sale of property in Stevensville. The Section 8 wait list is very long; anyone still interested in remaining on the list should ensure that MHA has updated contact information for them.
Wolf – Missoula Job Service
The Missoula Job Service will be hosting our first career fair since 2009 on Thursday, April 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn on North Reserve. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a major sponsor for the event. Registration costs will be $50 per table, including two buffet tickets. Additional buffet tickets are $15 each. Vendors are able to register and pay online by visiting www.employmissoula.com. Western Montana’s Largest Career Fair is open only to training providers and employers hiring within the next six months. No business to business promotion will be allowed.
Sheila Callahan of the Missoulian and Carol Blodgett at Make it Missoula will be assisting with publicity. Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact our office at 728-7060 or via email at MissoulaJSC@mt.gov.
Legislative budget hearings have begun, but the Job Service is not asking for much. The Employment Security Account (ESA) is the only flexible source of funding, however it is linked to the General Fund. Employee raises (5 percent over the next two years) may come out of either the ESA or the General Fund.
Recruitment for an Employment Specialist closed on February 12.
Stinger Welding closed a few days ago. Demand for welders is strong, but not necessarily in Libby. Troy Mine is keeping their employees on the payroll to entice them to stay around while they work towards reopening.
The Missoula Job Service is coordinating with two student teams from The University of Montana’s School of Business. The first project involves researching ways to integrate various social media sites with the office website and target professional job seekers by starting a LinkedIn page. The second project would focus on developing a marketing plan for a government agency to combat public misconception of the services Job Service offers.
The Missoula Midtown Association is taking on a more active role in the community by working with the Chamber of Commerce and other associations in town. Vann’s is reportedly looking to move to a North Reserve location.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 4 at 9 a.m.
