Committee on Disability & Employment Meeting

November 15, 2017: 9:00 AM
Frances Perkins Room, 45 Commerce Drive Augusta

State Workforce Board COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT November 15, 2017 9:00 AM ? 12:00 PM Central Maine Commerce Center 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta Frances Perkins Room Call in: 877-455-0244, Conference code: 9218175360 AGENDA 9:00 Welcome, Review/approve July meeting?s minutes 9:15 SWB / Committees Update ? Garret 9:30 Universal Access Committee update ? Peaches, Josh 10:00 Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies ? Alan Cobo-Lewis, Director & Janet May, Coordinator Transition & Adults 10:45 Break 11:00 Follow-Up Discussion re: actions needed on for EFM, CDE recommendations - Legislative Branch - Executive Branch - Advocacy Organization(s) 12:00 Adjourn REMINDER: Next Meeting: January 17, 2018 9:00 ? 12:00 Central Maine Commerce Center Frances Perkins Room


COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY & EMPLOYMENT MEETING

11/15/2017

Present: Jennifer Kimble, (Chair), Peaches Bass, Don Rice, Jeanie Coltart, Karen Fraser, Gayla Dwyer

Staff: Garret Oswald, Cheryl Moran

Jennifer Kimble opened the meeting with welcomes and introductions and asked for approval of the 07/19/17 minutes. Donald Rice motioned and Jeanie Coltart seconded. Minutes approved as written unanimously.

SWB/Committees Update ? Garret Oswald Garret in his opening statement stated, most of you have probably seen many articles related to the WIOA funding. He cautioned that a lot has been misinformation. The Governor wants to eliminate 1 layer of bureaucracy to better serve the citizens and businesses of Maine. He stated that back in 1998, one State Workforce Board and no local areas was proposed but was declined by USDOL. The State was willing to step aside and give the money directly to the Local Workforce Board?s (LWIB?s) but USDOL stated that it is illegal and the State/Governor must take the money however; the Governor does not have to spend the money.
Coastal Counties have filed a lawsuit against the Governor. The rest of the PY16 monies have been released. PY17 contracts are under negotiation. The lawsuit is still on. If there is no agreement, the PY17 contracts will not be signed. The Attorneys for both parties are meeting weekly. Everything is in the hands of the Attorneys hoping will come to an agreement. Garret strongly stated that the Governor never declined the money. Garret stated the consequences are is that the lawsuit will go forward if no agreement. The Title 1B funding plays a key role. The CareerCenters will not close even in the absence of this funding. The citizens of Maine still will be served. These funds also support the State Workforce Board (SWB). Both Garret and Ed Upham traveled to Washington D.C. asked questions and never got answers. It has been 9 weeks that they have been waiting for answers. Garret stated that Cheryl Moran, Josh Howe, including himself have received lay-off letters. Garret stated this has tremendous impact on the System and the people within the System. He announced that there has been a special meeting called in direct response to the lawsuit which will be held on November 22. There would be a minimum expenditure rate that will go specifically to training - Maine citizens and businesses. This must be included in the contract for the Governor to sign off. Therefore, this is why the emergency State Workforce Board (SWB) meeting was called.
Peaches Bass asked how might this affect the State Workforce Plan? Garret responded, there is no answer who will do this in the absence of the SWB. Karen Fraser stated that Bureau of Rehab Services (BRS) has been working very hard so people are not interfered with their training ? to make sure actual people are not impacted. Garret ? Commissioner Butera had to sign a waiver for the Competitive Skills Scholarship Funds (CSSP) to be able to move people into those funds. Don Rice reported that they are conducting case by case to see who might qualify for CSSP. Currently, they are not taking any new applications. They want to make sure that people currently enrolled are taken care of. Some people have dropped out because of this. Garret stated that Maine is not the only state wanting to do this. He stated that the State of Vermont is a single state with 7 local areas however; they have no administrative staff. The allows the local areas to have more control and less expense than we have in Maine. Jennifer Kimble asked if we are getting answers from the Feds, is there anything we can do as a Committee? Garret responded stating as a citizen of Maine, you can talk to the County Commissioners about your opinion of the structure of the SWB/LWB.

Universal Access Committee Update ? Peaches Bass, Joshua Howe Peaches reported that the Universal Access Policy (Non-Discrimination and Accessibility) has been completed and endorsed by the SWB. Section 1 deals with non-discrimination and EEO. Section 2 accessibility. Peaches stated that she will email a copy to committee members. She stated that this Committee wants to train employees starting with DOL and then further focus on WIOA partners and employees. They plan to hit the CareerCenters right away. Because universal access is WIOA driven, they will focus monthly on Titles 1, 3, and 4 because these titles are provided at the CareerCenters. They plan to have a training that will train people to this Policy and will start mentioning universal design. Universal Design ? have available accessibility resources for PWD, limited English proficiency, religious and other factors that affect accessibility. We need to be sensitive to all of that. There is a proof and word-smith in document authored by Joshua Howe that is available on the VR website that they are planning to move to either MDOL or the State of Maine website. Part of the mandate under WIOA is that our Programs are accessible. Next phase after the Accessibility Guide and Resources will be the assessment tool. Policy, Training, On-line Resources and Assessment of Offices, the question is how are we going to structure training and who?s going to receive it. Peaches pointed out that we are not experts on the subject matter so we may bring in other groups that are. Karen Fraser ? It?s nice to see some tangible things. Peaches ? Eric Dibner is the leader of the Universal Access Workgroup Kelley Heath represents DOE. We are glad she is there. Peaches suggested that we may want to hear someone from universal design.

Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies ? Alan Cobo-Lewis, Director & Janet May, Coordinator Transition & Adults Jennifer Kimble asked members to introduce themselves for the guests. Janet May provided a PowerPoint presentation including links to resources. Q & A Peaches Bass stated that she could see an emphasis on intellectual disability. She asked, is that the primary focus? Alan Cobo-Lewis responded it is one component of what they do. It is the core population. Peaches also stated that she looked at their website and noticed they mentioned universal access and design. She asked, any advising or consultation for other organizations? Alan responded service really includes technical assistance so the answer is yes. Peaches stated that they are trying to be better at communication such as location of posters in the CareerCenters. She stated that at some point, they will probably talk to them. Jeanie Coltart asked if they work with people that have mental illness. Janet responded stating they have people that are diverse to work with people that have a variety of disabilities which include mental illness. Janet ? Our intent is to work in collaboration with people/groups. Janet stated that they looked at the employer challenges identified by the CD & E. Challenge and Gaps ? Poverty ? Cultural perception ? Access to effective services ? Transportation Peaches also suggested better outreach. Don Rice ? Since Maine is a rural state, there is limited computer and Internet access. This is definitely something to look at. Libraries make the best sense because of the transportation issue. Peaches ? How to better prepare staff ? training. Have universal access for all ? make us accessible as we possibly can. She suggested the Bangor CareerCenter could be the pilot. Don ? Train staff to be more welcoming not only to PWD but anyone who enters a State Office. Jennifer Kimble stated that there has always been a cultural perception of PWD - PWD do not want to work. To conduct outreach and education to the Public is a real critical problem. Karen Fraser ? Trying to figure out what career path to choose. Gayla Dwyer ? Outreach and education to the Chambers of Commerce ? She suggested people in the field or PWD could go to the Chambers and conduct this statewide. Don ? Reemphasized stating rural areas need to be a more concentrated area. PWD will never disclose their disability with the fear it will hurt them. Jennifer stated that we need more creative strategies to speak with employers. Jeanie stated what is the point of speaking with the Chambers of Commerce if there is no one in power that can make the difference? Janet ? Suggested to have the parties make a pledge to get them to do something. Peaches ? Aggressive strategies with employers or the business communities.

Follow-up Discussion re: actions needed on for EFM, CDE recommendations ? Legislative Branch ? Executive Branch ? Advocacy Organization(s) Cheryl Moran provide the 2018 meeting schedule: January 17 March 21 May 2 July 18 September 19 November 7 Jennifer stated she tried to reach out to Senator Amy Volk of when she can come again and is waiting for a response. She pointed out that Senator Volk was on the agenda in September but we had to cancel. She stated that when the Legislature is in session, it is very difficult to get away. Jeanie suggested it would be nice to have other Legislators come to our meetings on a regular basis. Jennifer asked what do we do beyond of having another list of recommendations? Did the Employment First group get approved by the Legislature? Karen ? I believe it was sent. Jennifer ? How do we figure it out? Maybe reach out and discuss to see where we are. Peaches ? Suggested ?side by side line-up? (our recommendations). Identify ones that make sense for us to tackle or partner with. Jennifer reported that the Empowerment Forum did not happen this year because of low attendance. The goal of the Empowerment Forum was to connect with PWD and hear their stories. She believes that because they had Travis Mills as the headliner last year, that was the reason there was a successful Forum. The aggressive concept again ? did we heavily market it? Self-advocacy is a big barrier for PWD. We need to find an effective strategy to engage. Peaches suggested political figures to get some action moving such as the gubernatorial race in 2018 could be a ?hook?.

Meeting adjourned

Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17 from 9am ? Noon in the Frances Perkins room, CMCC Augusta.

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran


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