Younger Workers Committee

February 10, 2020: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins Rm, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME

YOUNGER WORKERS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

02/10/2020

Present: Adrian Cohen, Chair, Ginny Carroll, Nikki Williams, Ahmen Cahbral, Kaylin Kerina, Tracie Travers, (Phone)

Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran

Adrian opened the meeting at 9:36am with welcome and introductions.

Adrian announced, Anna Hicks who oversees the Children's Cabinet, will attend our next meeting and will provide a legislative update - Legislation that is relevant to this committee moving forward. Young Peoples Caucus - Maines Future - a flyer was provided listing scheduled sessions to learn about the pertinent issues facing young people in Maine.

Suggestions and input:

Ginny: We really do not know where we stand with in-school youth (ages 16 24) Data Where is it coming from and how to share it? Who are we focusing on? We are an advisory group to the State Workforce Board (SWB), and we need to come up with strategies...this is an opportunity to do this. Nikki: Youth needs to be elevated into the State Plan Whats working and not working how to address? The issue of transportation and not having access to resources Connect resources more seamlessly We should be talking about resources in middle or high school not waiting till they are age 20. Make them be aware even if these resources are not needed yet. No wrong door One Stop Tracie: 1. Resources School guidance counselors who leads this? 2. Host a webinar may want to consider? o JMG Tracie Travers 3. Collect resources in the room and draft a one pager - Have the right documents at initial meeting (talk to youth about barriers upfront) Update on SWB/State Plan Josh Howe State Plan is a required federal 4-year plan Different sessions were held around the state we were trying to incorporate feedback We are still in the process of refining the system The draft will go out for public comment on 2/19 The strategic plan (a draft copy was provided "Building Maines Comprehensive Workforce and Talent Strategy") and state plan will be mirrors of each other however; the strategic plan is more in-line with the DECDs economic plan The implementation of the strategic plan roll out mid-March Recruitment and retention this will be the DECDs part to work on this Sub-committees may have a role in the implementation Recommendations for public comment make sure all committees receive copy of the draft before public comment. Public comment timeline 2/19 .

A question was asked in reference to MaineSparkJosh explained MaineSpark is an initiative. The goal is 60% of Mainers having a credential by 2025. With the youth, we will not be at that level. Ginny suggested, maybe this committee can make a commitment to share information on an on-going basis. She stated TANF is now a formal partner of WIOA a lot of cross-informing. Ginny also stated she is involved in the TANF co-enrollment policy that will expand out to the core partners. What are the benefit cliffs on how it effects in different parts of Maine and what are the barriers to all these co-enrollment programs? Kaylin suggested, make recommendations as a group when the public comment comes out. Ginny announced Kim Moore is the new Director of the Bureau of Employment Services

Next Meeting Agenda: Invite Anna Hicks How do we integrate this committee with the Board for the larger plan? Meet with Chris on this. Waiver forms Data sharing agreements develop a case study

Meeting Adjourned.

Next Meeting: March 12, 2020 9:30 noon Frances Perkins room, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran

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