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Womens Employment Committee
December 3, 2018: 9:30 AMFrances Perkins rm, 45 Commerce Dr, Augusta
Women’s Employment Committee AGENDA 12/3/18 9:30 – Noon Frances Perkins Room, MDOL 9:30 Introductions 9:45 – 10:45 Presentation/conversation on Women Veterans with: Auta Main, Veterans Program Manager, MDOL Joy Asuncion, 20 year Navy Veteran and founder of Maine Women Veterans Facebook page Break 11:00 – 11:30 Approval of 10/1/18 minutes Planning for the new Administration and Legislature—policy priorities of Women’s Employment and other SWB Committees, other advocates WIOA/DOL Updates 11:30 – Noon Member updates 2019 Meetings (9:30 – Noon in Frances Perkins Room at MDOL, unless otherwise determined) Monday, January 7 Monday, March 18 Monday, May 20 Monday, July 15 Monday, September 16 Monday, November 18
WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
12/03/2018
Present: Gilda Nardone, (Chair), Danielle Despins, Valerie Carter, Kelly Samson-Rickert, Karen Keim, Peaches Bass, Erin Benson, Kim Foskett, Jean Dempster, Auta Main, Darylen Cote, (Phone), Laurie Glidden, (Phone)
Guest: Robin Doody, Joe Tatem, Debbie Kelly, Joy Asuncion, Sarah Sherman, Jennifer Gainey
Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran
Introductions Gilda Nardone opened the regular meeting at 9:34am with welcome and introductions.
Presentation/conversation on Women Veterans with: Auta Main, Veterans Program Manager, MDOL Joy Asuncion, 20-year Navy Veteran and founder of Maine Women Veterans Facebook Page Auta Main provided a PowerPoint presentation on “Women Veterans” by Dr. Nancy A. Glowacki that was developed to address the higher unemployment rates of women veterans. Auta stated all slides are based on nationwide data. The following are some highlights from the presentation: • Women veterans are the most invisible veterans • 1.6% women is a veteran vs 16% men (10x more) • Women currently serving – 15 – 20% • UI rate in Maine is 1.7% however; veterans underemployed is very high – there are 122,000 veterans in Maine and 60,000 are in the workforce • Veteran women have the highest education • Female veterans are younger (source US Census) • Transition Challenges – veterans are used to a mission/purpose/trust Auta announced “Military 202” will be filming in January focused on recruitment, hiring, and retention and will be presented by Chaplain/Colonel Andy Gibson.
Joy Asuncion opened her presentation by stating the challenge of women veterans is what attracted her to present. Her focus is finding veterans to hire and to work with internal employees that were veterans. She is the founder of the non-political Facebook group “Maine Women Veterans” that has a membership close to 900. The group consists of women on active duty around the world, national guard reservist, and the homeless. Another group that was just created is “Women’s Veterans Hobby Group” (which is an offset to Maine Women Veterans) consists of veteran artist, and a 100-year-old woman that served in the Marine Corp. There are 30 women marines in this group. Joy reported that she also is part of the “Women’s Memorial”. The Memorial is 20 years old and is located at the entrance of Arlington Cemetery. The focus is to promote, and educate about the Memorial. As a Board member of ‘Honor Flight Maine” she works with families in advance to get their picture. Joy asked committee members is we know women veterans to refer them to her. Karen Keim mentioned that the Veterans Upward Bound program has stipends to go to college. Currently, the Veterans Upward Bound has 58 veterans but she needs 125 to keep the program here. Joy pointed out that women in general do not necessarily self-identify they are a veteran. Kim Foskett mentioned that Goodwill has a veteran fund that assists with rent, utilities. This program serves the Greater Portland area, Bangor, and Augusta but they accept applications statewide. Auta Main stated they found veterans are accessing WIOA monies very slowly so they are working with Coastal Counties. Even though they need to be income eligible, most do qualify. Joy stated her goal is that she wants Maine to be the first state to have women registered currently serving and those that have served. Gilda asked Auta how can we keep this communication and connection going? Auta stated she will follow-up with the Veterans Upward Bound. Kelly Samson-Rickert offered assistance with technology on connecting more veterans to the Facebook site. Joy stated she wants to connect with Kelly about that. Jennifer Gainey – Resource and referral; send information to her and she will get the word out through Facebook and Stall Talk. She pointed out that is where they receive a lot of turnout. Debbie Kelly stated the more we communicate in groups like this, the more resources we can provide to homeless women veterans. On an end note, Gilda stated she looks forward to continue communicating.
Approval of 10/01/18 minutes Gilda called for approval of the meeting minutes. Karen Keim motioned. Valerie Carter seconded. Minutes were approved after correction (passed as being pristine was removed).
Planning for the new Administration and Legislature – policy priorities of Women’s Employment and other SWB Committees, other advocates Gilda stated they will save the conversation around policy and priorities for the January meeting will have a better sense of direction.
WIOA/DOL Updates Gilda reported WIOA monies have been released and received by the LWB’s.
Member Updates Darylen Cote – Karen Keim reported on Darylen’s behalf they received and additional $80,000 to increase STEM offerings. Karen stated every Upward Bound Program statewide received a supplemental grant to focus on STEM. Laurie Glidden reported they have partnered with the Sunrise Economic Council. Kelly Samson-Rickert reported they will do Cyber Girls again. This program is to promote girls going into computing. She stated last year they had 129 teams. Tech Night, she’s not sure about because this is a program the Governor promotes. Peaches Bass reported 2019 New Leadership Campaign is all about political advocacy. This is a 1 week program on how to get leadership skills. Ticket to Work Program has shut down. This program assists people receiving SSI or SSDI. Ticket to Work enables a person into self-sufficiency slowly. The loss of this program resulted in her re-assignment – WIOA and Policy. Danielle Despins reported the federal Perkins loan has been re-authorized. They are in the process of developing their State Plan. Students who currently have active military parents, they are looking for ways to support students in this case – looking at unemployment and underemployed in general. Auta Main reported they hired new Veteran Reps at the Bangor and Springvale CareerCenters. She stated there are 15 Veteran Reps in the CareerCenters statewide. She stated they have issues being able to retain because these reps start at entry-level pay. She stated they have interest in Native Americans also. Gilda Nardone reported New Ventures Maine is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Also, they are gearing up for 5 Totally Trades Conferences. She stated she will put together a flier with - She announced they have a Workforce Specialist position opening in the Mid-Coast. Gilda passed out a copy of their Annual Report. Jump Credit – You can download your credit report and it will be sent to Jump Credit. This program takes your credit information and puts it into an understandable format and shows action steps on how to improve your credit. Gilda stated they will be trying out a new tax site and will be using at the Financial Literacy class.
Other Gilda – wants more opportunity for committees to interact. She stated she will be checking will all committee members to see if interest still is there and adding other representation such as exemplary employers hiring women. Previous year’s priorities document - will send to members. What do we want to do as a committee that’s moveable? Valerie Carter – suggested someone to discuss demographics – someone that can break it down, who know the landscape. Karen Keim – suggested a woman’s health advocate who have experience with the OPIOD epidemic and also suggested a youth at the table. Peaches Bass – when thinking about priorities, do some of them cost something? Talk to the new Administration. Getting better data around women and the general population. Sarah Sherman – suggested student Vets. Danielle Despins – non-traditional. Erin Benson – transportation/daycare. Karen Keim – suggested to have a more diverse representation of all forms.
*Gilda stated she will talk to Peaches to put together a concrete plan and how to move forward in the New Year.
*Next Meeting Agenda Look at Program and Policies and set strategies.
Meeting Adjourned at noon.
Next Meeting: Monday, January 7, 9:30 – noon in the Frances Perkins Room, MDOL 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran
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