Womens Employment Committee

May 14, 2018: 9:30 AM
Frances Perkins rm, 45 Commerce Dr, Augusta

Women?s Employment Committee AGENDA 5/14/18 9:30 ? Noon Frances Perkins Room, MDOL 9:30 Introductions 9:45 ? 10:45 Update on policy priorities?what did and did not get finalized in the State Legislature and federal updates, including LIFT/HOPE, SNAP Employment and Training, and MaineSpark Break 11 ? 11:30 Approval of 3/5/18 Minutes Status of WIOA funding/MDOL 11:30 ? Noon Member updates/priorities for remaining 2018 meetings Upcoming 2018 Meetings: Monday, October 1 Monday, December 3


WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

05/14/2018

Present: Gilda Nardone, (Chair), Auta Main, Peaches Bass, Karen Keim, Darylen Cote, (Phone), Chris Hastedt, (Phone), Joni Boissonneault, (ZOOM), Valerie Carter, (ZOOM)

Staff: Cheryl Moran

Introductions Gilda Nardone opened the regular meeting at 9:43am with welcomes and introductions and asked committee members to provide an update on what is happening in their work capacity or personal life. Peaches Bass - The focus on the Ticket-To-Work program is bringing it to a higher level -Title 1B activities. The program will be more WIOA oriented. Peaches still is a member of the Universal Access workgroup.
Karen Keim – Karen announced that The University of Maine allowed her to hire a convicted felon in the position of Staff person. She pointed out that the new hire is a Veteran. She also announced she has an opening in the Talent Search Program in Naples. Darylen Cote announced she will be going part-time in September and will be retiring June 1, 2019. Joni Boissonneault stated currently she is working with the John T Gorman Foundation to expand self-sufficiency. She stated this is not funded yet and is in the preliminary stages. She started working with the John t Gorman Foundation last Friday, May 11th.
Bayside Empowerment, which was a pilot funded through Women United is now completed. Gilda asked Auta Main or Peaches Bass if they can talk about how the transition of the Augusta CareerCenter went. Auta Main stated the transition of the Augusta CareerCenter went very well. The CareerCenter has 6 staff persons. They recently had an open house and over 100 job seekers attended. Peaches Bass reported Rehabilitation Services that were housed in the CareerCenter also have moved. SafetyWorks were moved to the 2nd floor. It has been a little bit of an adjustment. Peaches also stated she anticipates other CareerCenters will relocate to smaller offices. It’s a shame they have not linked up with the Community Colleges. Karen Keim stated they are teaching stackable credentials. Karen stated she is looking for another location and/or space. Gilda stated she might be able to help and will get together with Karen to discuss. Auta Main stated The Hire-A-Vet Campaign has come to an end. Seventy (70) employers came to a recognition event and received awards. She announced she will be retiring in 22 months. She stated she has 4 positions sitting on the Governor’s desk waiting for approval. Valerie Carter stated she has some trainings coming up. Summer Labor Institute is the 2nd week in August. She also announced she might be retiring the end of February 2019. Gilda Nardone announced Senator Eloise Vitelli is retiring June 1st however; she will be running again for State Senator. New Ventures Maine is looking ahead for their 40th anniversary. The gathering will be on June 26 at UMA 5pm – 7pm. She stated she is seeing this as an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the organization and look ahead. She announced they have an Operations Managers opening. Gilda stated both herself and Karen Keim have been involved with MaineSpark. It has been good for reintegrating the University Centers with UMA which will be less confusing for students. Prosperity Maine – their cliental are immigrants primarily from the southern Maine region.

Updates on policy priorities – what did and did not get finalized in the State Legislature and federal updates, including LIFT/HOPE, SNAP Employment and Training, and MaineSpark Gilda Nardone – MaineSpark – Handouts were provided. MaineSpark is a collaboration effort trying to raise the percentage of adults to receive credentials. The goal is 60% by 2025 and right now we are at 43%. There are 4 tracks: 1. Birth through 6th grade. 2. 6th grade to college age. 3. Maine Adult Promise. 4. New opportunities looking at New Mainers and attracting people from outside of the state (Live and Work in Maine, are involved in this). There are 2 pilot sites selected: 1. Lewiston, which includes University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). 2. KVCAP/KVCC, consists of adults that want to go to college and daycare will be provided. The emphasis is on second generation families which includes education. Family Future Downeast is a good model which is supported by the John T. Gorman Foundation. Darylen Cote stated the University of Southern Maine has a new Upward Bound Veterans Program. They can take college courses without remediation. Chris Hastedt stated LIFT II/HOPE passed. HOPE – you cannot receive if you are receiving TANF cash. Gilda Nardone – LIFT/HOPE Bill is complimentary to Parents of Scholars (PAS). Chris Hastedt - SNAP Employment and Training – you must be receiving Food Stamps and not TANF. You cannot be federally funded. Farm Bill – 70 signatures were sent to Representative Pingree and Poliquin. Chris stated she will send the memo regarding this. The House Bill will be debated this week. It expands the work requirement in the SNAP Bill. The amended version will extend to parents with kids age 6 and over. Right now, they have been exempt. It’s not really a work requirement but a penalty. The HOPE, SNAP Employment and Training emphasis on degrees and credentials.

Approval of 03/05/18 Minutes Gilda Nardone called for approval of the 03/05/18 meeting minutes. Minutes approved unanimously without correction.

Status of WIOA funding/MDOL Cheryl Moran reported the modification of the State Plan is 45 days in and still pending approval from USDOL. She stated they should hear within the next 45 days otherwise the Plan will be automatically approved. There is nothing happening right now until they receive approval.

Member updates/priorities for remaining 2018 meetings Karen Keim reported MEOC will be have a site visit from USDOE. TRIO – once again they have until August 31st to meet their numbers. Valerie Carter – Gender Pay Equity, Valerie stated hopefully they will have the updated version in the next couple of months. Joni Boissonneault – Self-Sufficiency Program - How to improve? She had a conversation with Senator Collins staff and the future of the housing subsidy. Auta Main – The Center for Workforce and Research Information (CWRI) report numbers on Veteran women. Gilda stated she will put this on their next meeting’s agenda. Gilda Nardone announced on May 25th is the Women’s Trade Conference and there has been some progress in reaching younger women. Announcement: Maine Initiatives Event will be held on June 13 from 6pm – 9pm at the O’Maine Studios in Portland, ME. Suggestions for next meeting’s agenda; reinvite the New Mainers women and revisit the Veteran women’s role.

Meeting adjourned at 11:55am

Next meeting will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 from 9:30am – Noon in the Frances Perkins room, CMCC Augusta.

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran


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