Women's Employment Issues Committee

February 25, 2015: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins Rm, MDOL 45 Commerce Dr, Augusta

Women?s Employment Committee February 25, 2015 Call in # 877-455-0244, Passcode 2121366385# Agenda ? Introductions ? Presentation/discussion about women with disabilities and employment Peaches Bass, MDOL, Disability Employment Initiative (Available data, program initiatives and resources, partnership opportunities, program/policy recommendations, interest in round table with the Women?s Bureau on this topic) ? Policy Updates o WIOA/SWIB o Pending state legislation ? Committee membership and program updates o 2015 meeting dates and focus

Women?s Employment Issues Committee February 25, 2015

Present; Gilda Nardone, Christie Cross, Liz Ray, Karen Keim, Joni Boissonneault, Kathy Kilrain del Rio, Karin Anderson (for Kelly Osborn), Christie Daggett, Peaches Bass, Kathy Hounsell, Chris Hasted Staff: Garret Oswald Gilda Nardone, Committee Chair, opened the meeting with welcomes and introductions. First on the agenda was Peaches Bass with a presentation on women with disabilities and the DEI (Disability Employment Initiative) grant and possible policy points for the committee to consider. Peaches spoke about the overlap between people with disabilities (PWD) and women as it relates to low employment levels and over representation in slow growing jobs, and the impact of lack of transportation and the cost of education. Policy points for consideration: - Data collection - Broaden perspectives beyond substance abuse and mental health - Public assistance ? financial management training - WOTC ? increase credits - Paid sick leave - Improve child care system - Workplace schedule flex-time - Home based care services ? pay level - Occupational hazards for NTO positions - Counting the people with disabilities in the workplace ? reduce stigma - Centralized accommodation funds - Accessibility of state services and programs - Equal pay for PWD ? wage gap - Disincentives for PWD to work Peaches also spoke about the DEI Grant improving CareerCenter services to PWD, and the grant goal of increasing the number of PWD served under the WIA. The grant efforts are connected to the Ticket To Work effort in BRS & BES. Peaches also briefly mentioned Asset development sessions, the work of the Maine Business Leadership Network, all of which speak to the sustainability of the activity after the grant expires.

Garret Oswald gave a brief update on WIOA and the transition activity currently occurring and from the recent National Governors Association meeting in Washington DC. The big opportunity will be the Unified Strategic Plan that needs to be submitted by March or 2016. The committee will be invited to provide input on the new plan as it is being developed. Chris Hasted the spoke about a new Bill to modernize the TANF/SNAP programs to help move families out of poverty. The Bill would change the way work is counted in eligibility and address ?the cliff? (loss of benefits). It would also change the way disregards are treated and provide a longer wage subsidy - ?Make work pay?. Other features of the Bill ? it repeals the two parent family restrictions and provides childcare retroactive to date of hire. Chris also mentioned that there would be Navigators to assist in understanding benefits as well as Career Pathways and the WIOA program. After a few brief updates from committee members, the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 4/30/15, 9:30 ? 12:00. Items for the next meeting agenda ? WIOA and Bills in the Legislature.

Respectfully submitted by Garret Oswald.

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