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Commission on Disability & Employment
September 11, 2019: 9:00 AM45 Commerce Dr, Augusta Frances Perkins Room
State Workforce Board COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT September 11, 2019 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, Introductions, approve July meeting minutes 9:15 Update on WIOA Universal Access Work Group activities: Peaches Bass, BES Program Manager 9:45 SWB Update 10:00 Maine Business Leadership Network update: Amy Downing, Retail Association of Maine Lisa Sturtevant, DHHS-OADS 10:30 Break 10:45 Discussion of BLN presentation 11:00 Next Steps for CDE plan 11:30 Adjourn Next Meeting: November 13, 2019 9:00 12:00 Central Maine Commerce Center Frances Perkins Room
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT MEETING MINUTES
09/11/2019
Present: Jennifer Kimble (Chair), Cheryl Peabody, Gayla Dwyer, Renee Doble, Chris Robinson on behalf of Karen Fraser (Phone)
Absent: Amie Parker, Karen Fraser, Donald Rice, Jeanie Coltart, Peaches Bass, Mel Clarrage
Staff: Joshua Howe, Cheryl Moran
Welcome, Introductions, approve July meeting minutes Jennifer Kimble opened the non-official meeting at 9:13am with welcome and introductions. Due to lack of attendance, the July minutes will be tabled until the next meeting in November.
Jennifer re-introduced the memo, "Follow up on the Employment First Maine Act of 2013," first discussed in the July meeting, briefly explained the history, and noted that the goal was for the memo to be approved and go out by the September meeting. She acknowledged that the change in the Administration, SWB Director, and SWB Chair have slowed this process, as the memo has not been approved or delivered. Jennifer stated she plans to have this conversation at the SWB Chairs meeting on Friday; we need to deliver but we do not know how. Gayla Dwyer stated she shares the frustration about wanting to do something, but their hands are tied. Renee Doble stated employers would love support because they are unable to recruit a skilled workforce. Cheryl Peabody stated she agrees with Renee and Gayla.
Membership: Jennifer stated she would like to increase the membership with commitment and announced the official approval for Renee Doble and Amie Parker. Timing of the meetings: Consensus was to not change however; Gayla and Renee stated that it does not matter to them but suggested, maybe change the time to the afternoon? Jennifer stated she will send out a Doodle Poll to current members, keep the same schedule (Wednesdays) but move to afternoon.
Update on WIOA Universal Access Work Group activities: Peaches Bass, BES Program Manager The update on WIOA Universal Access Work Group activities will be provided later because Peaches was unable to attend.
SWB Update - Joshua Howe, Workforce Development Program Coordinator, SWB Josh stated the SWB will be conducting an orientation for the new members before the SWB meeting next week. The Board has added another County Commissioner. WIOA requires 2 but Maine has 3 regions. Josh noted that Karen Fraser will represent VR on the Board. He pointed out that the Board composition will change slightly. There will be a renewed focus beyond WIOA but will still follow WIOA compliance. The SWB has hired a consultant/facilitator to assist with the strategic planning of the new State Plan. The DECD will share their strategic planning at next week's SWB meeting, which will also inform the WIOA plan. December will be the target to present a draft State Plan to the Board. Josh stated the committees will be drawn into that process as well.
Jennifer asked who the SWB liaisons from the Legislature are. Josh confirmed that Senator Ned Claxton and Representative Mike Sylvester are the liaisons to the SWB.
Maine Business Leadership Network update: Amy Downing, Retail Association of Maine, Lisa Sturtevant, DHHS-OADS Jennifer provided a brief background of the CD&E to Amy and Lisa before they provided their update.
Lisa Sturtevant provided a brief background of the Maine BLN by stating 6 years ago, DHHS and the DOL DEI Program had a contract with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to conduct the Business Leadership Network business as a USBLN affiliate. They ran the Maine BLN website, provided business-to-business information on disability accommodations, shared monthly articles in the Chamber newsletter, and held some stand-alone employer events. They learned that the stand-alone events did not work well; it worked better to piggy-back on other related events (e.g. SHRM conference). When DEI funds ended, the only remaining funds were $20K from DHHS, and the BLN contract with the state Chamber ended July 1, 2018.
Lisa stated they approached the USBLN group in October 2018 to state they wanted to start back up again, and a 2-year contract was signed with the Retail Association of Maine (RAM) to do the work. Shortly after that, the USBLN rebranded and became known as Disability:IN. To be an affiliate under the new organization, the Maine BLN had to form an independent, nonprofit 501C3 entity and pay significantly more to Disability:IN which was not feasible. The state re-wrote the contract with the RAM in January 2019, and in July together decided to create Maines own business-to-business platform, without national affiliation. The contract calls for business to business support; what do businesses need to know.
Amy Downing, Retail Association of Maine, stated they are still very committed to this work and getting the work done. Now they will not have restrictions that come with being affiliated with a national initiative. She explained that the Retail Association of Maine is very connected to the retailers in this state, but also supports organizations such as: Associated Management Company, Maine Grocers Association, Maine Pharmacy Association, and Maine Society of Maine Executives to name a few. They are connected to any association you can imagine. The association they branch off with is the Hospitality Association Alliance. A strong point is reaching out to small businesses.
Activities are planned to begin next month. Underway now is getting the website up and running, identifying a name for the initiative, and preparing for a Workforce Summit. They will be working with the Maine Grocers & Producers Association and that will be held on October 24th at the Samoset Resort in Rockland. The Retail Association is in process of the 501C3 and should be completed at the end of this year, setting the stage for future funding opportunities. Lisa noted that the group will have a Business Advisory Committee.
Jennifer suggested that Amy and Lisa should connect with the SWB; both Amy and Lisa stated they have met with Chris Quint, SWB Director.
Lisa stated she can provide copies of their contract to the CDE.
Josh Howe stated how the SWB connects with the committees is one of the big pieces of the SWB.
Q & A Jennifer Kimble asked what is the purpose of the business advisory committee? Lisa responded, specifically businesses, state retail association, and DHHS/DOL staff. She also stated they would like to conduct a business survey next year. Jennifer suggested that a limited role for employment service providers directly involved with employers could be beneficial. Lisa briefly relayed experiences with providers attending previous BLN events/meetings that were not helpful.
Gayla Dwyer asked what do you envision a timeframe down the road? Lisa responded, in 2 years. Lisa stated you need to have a consistent message to employers, which makes sense. Amy stated we need to break down barriers and have a conversation with other entities. Gayla stated we need to raise awareness and decrease stigma. Jennifer Kimble wrapped up by stating we understand employers need support and we are willing to help.
Discussion of BLN presentation The Retail Association could not house it because it had to be a separate independent entity.
Meeting Adjourned
NEXT MEETING November 13, 2019 9:00 12:00 Central Maine Commerce Center Frances Perkins Room
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Moran
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