Women's Employment Committee Meeting

April 24, 2017: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins Room, 45 Commerce Drive Augusta

Women?s Employment Committee AGENDA 4/24/17 9:30 ? Noon Frances Perkins Room, MDOL Introductions Presentation/Conversation on Women in the Workforce?Changing Roles James Myall, Policy Analyst, Maine Center for Economic Policy Approval of 2/6/17 Minutes Member Updates/Resource Sharing?update on program and policy priorities Legislative Update Update on WIOA, SWB, DOL Please see attached list of 2017 meeting dates and goals

WOMEN?S EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

04/24/17

Present: Gilda Nardone, Kim Foskett, Peaches Bass, Joni Boissonneault, Jody Harris, Christy Cross, Tammy Rabideau, Laurie Glidden, Kelly Samson-Rickert, Karen Keim, Darylen Cote (Phone)

Guest: James Mayall, Policy Analyst, Maine Center for Economic Policy

Staff: Cheryl Moran, Joshua Howe

Gilda Nardone opened the meeting with welcomes and introductions. She asked for approval of the 02/06/17 meeting minutes. Minutes approved unanimously as written.

Presentation/Conversation on Women in the Workforce ? Changing Roles James Myall, Policy Analyst, Maine Center for Economic Policy James provided data handouts in reference to how the workforce in Maine is changing and how it has changed over time (2002 ? 2015). The definition of the labor force includes all persons classified as employed or unemployed. He pointed out that even though the Maine unemployment rate is 3%, there are big disparities in each county.
Areas of concern; ? Childcare - biggest reason why women age 25-44 are not in the labor force. ? Aging Workforce and Retirees (less participation).
? Disabled ? this group is increasing including people receiving SSDI. ? Rural Areas (vs Southern/Coastal Areas) ? indicators - less educated (generally males) however; people with an education are more likely to be working.
? School ? age 16-24 have less than a high school education. Gilda asked if there is data in reference to the opioid problem. James stated there is no definitive data (women vs men) as far as usage however; opioid usage is higher in rural areas. Q & A Kelly Samson-Rickert asked what is the methodology and how do they collect data? Do they tweet? James stated disability questions have changed over time. The survey may have been conducted the traditional way (paper).

Gilda asked James to discuss about workforce planning. James ? How do we make sure people that want to work can work. Address barriers: ? Break the cycle of poverty (challenging). ? May need to develop Policy. ? More flexibility in the workforce. ? Workforce skills update Workshop. ? Look at transportation and childcare issues. ? Empower/encourage employers to take on that population (PWD). James pointed out even though the unemployment rate is low, it truly does not indicate who is actually out of the workforce. Gilda stated we need to shift the perception of ?disability? such as; a person does not want to work or have the ability to work.

Member Updates/Resource Sharing-update on program and policy priorities • Kim Foskett, Team Leader, Job Connection - Goodwill Industries of Northern New England reported they sponsored Dr. Elisabeth Babcock (who runs EMPATH) to come and hear her presentation (Pathway to Stability). Kim stated a lot of folks they deal with have multiple issues such as mental health, homelessness, daycare and transportation. She also reported they have a new office in Bangor for FSET (food supplemental program).
Gilda asked Kim to forward the handout on Pathway to Stability so she will be able to circulate. • Karen Keim, Director, Maine Educational Opportunity Center & Maine Educational Talent Search Program ? University of Maine Orono reported she attended training where they talked about ?the brain science of poverty ? science behind the notions?. They mentioned how exposure to chronic stress re-wires the brain. A comparison was conducted between the United States and the Netherlands where they discovered the Netherlands had a different approach. Their approach was not punitive but welcoming. Karen stated it was the most meaningful training she has ever been to. She also reported she was working on the Bridge Matrix template on how to adapt it to their work. Gilda stated we need to collectively come up with a Maine model that will help individuals achieve some of the pillars (6). Darylen Cote stated it is important to work on those pillars and how to use in our work. • Joni Boissonneault, Program Manager ? Portland Housing Authority reported they removed the livable wage language and added their own. She stated if we can break down barriers, it would make it easier to access services. • Peaches Bass, Program Manager, Bureau of Employment Services ? Maine Department of Labor reported they are trying to improve integrated service delivery and accessibility (in reference to poverty and disabilities). They are considering how to enlighten their own colleagues on the front lines. Peaches stated we need to emphasize on integrated service delivery. This committee and others may play a role in advising. Universal access, cross-training of staff, staff development is required in the WIOA State Plan. Gilda suggested we might want to invite Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, EMPATH, joint committees or other staff on how do we work across lines. • Gilda Nardone, Executive Director ? New Ventures Maine - As part of the conversation at the committee meeting in September, lets focus on immigrant women and how credentials can become transferrable.
• Kelly Samson-Rickert, Director of Workforce Development ? State of Maine Office of Information Technology reported she attended the New England Women in Computing Conference that was held in Portland on January 31st. There was a panel discussion that included the Presidents of several employers; Unum, Tyler Technologies, and Bangor Savings.
• Tammy Rabideau, Associate Director ? Waterville Public Library announced Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) will be having a Job Fair that will be held on May 5th from 8am ? 11:30am at the T&B?s Celebration Center in Waterville. She provided a handout on Small Business Week Waterville, May 1-5 which will offer a week of free programs for small business development. She also announced that the Waterville Public Library has been selected as a finalist for a National Medal. • Darylen Cote, Director, TRIO, Upward Bound ? University of Maine Presque Isle reported that the Upward Bound Grant application is not going to be read and has been rejected by the USDOE. She has sent a letter/petition that received over a 1000 signatures to Secretary Betsy DeVos to reconsider. A copy of the letter was provided. It was 2 infographic errors that caused the rejection on both Grants. If the rejection is not reversed, Upward Bound will end by the end of August. Darylen stated she really appreciates all the support to get this overturned however; she still is planning their summer program because they are funded through the end of August. • Christy Cross, Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator ? Maine Department of Transportation reported they have been doing a lot of work with Veterans and minorities particularly in the southern area.

Legislative Update Jody Harris, Associate Director ? Maine Center for Economic Policy reported several Bills are making their way through the Legislature.
o L. D. 1199 ? ?An Act to Promote Fiscal Responsibility in the Purchasing of Debt?. This Bill amends the Maine Fair Debt Collections Practices. o L. D. 1242 ? ?An Act to Prevent Abusive Debt Collection Tactics by Debt Buyers?. This is an Act to give Debtors certain protections with respect to debt buyers. o L. D. 1404 ? ?An Act to Ensure the Integrity of For-Profit Colleges?. Jody stated this Bill was being heard today at the Legislature. For-Profit Colleges tend to market heavily to women and people in poverty. Some of these colleges are not even accredited such as Kaplan and the University of Phoenix including some on-line colleges. Predatory lenders really target minorities, women, PWD and Veterans.
Jody stated a Bill sponsored by Senator Eloise Vitelli ?Maine Student Loan Bill of Rights? will be coming out that will take care of predatory lenders, high interest rate and non-accredited schools. Jody provided a handout on ?Maine Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights? and a research article on ?Maine?s For-Profit College Students Carry Heavy Debt Burdens and Struggle in Repayment?. Gilda stated Senator Eloise Vitelli also is sponsoring a Bill to increase financial resources for the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) to help the Program remain strong.

Update on WIOA, SWB, DOL Joshua Howe, Workforce Development Program Coordinator ? Maine State Workforce Board Josh and Garret met with Wingham Rowan, Director of Beyond Jobs to discuss about the ?Gig Economy? which was a pilot project launched in the U. K. The ?Gig Economy? is a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. "Working in the Gig Economy means constantly being subjected to last-minute scheduling". This creates flexibility in the workplace ? whatever their motivation. Employers can check availability of people, select and book. The concern is will it push more people out of the workforce? This is why Labor needs to be part of this conversation ? Workers Rights in the workplace. Do we have enough demand? In the U. K., they had no problem with supply. You need $2.5 million of demand before you can even start up. We are looking at a Pilot in the hospitality sector. Meeting Adjourned Next meeting will be held on June 5, 2017 from 9:30 to Noon in the Frances Perkins room, CMCC Augusta. Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran

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