Human Services Committee
Capital Area Michigan Works
November 18, 2015, 8:30 am
Present: Al Platt (CMH), Jim Bunn (CAMW), Natosha D’Angelo (Haven House), Lauren Hyland (VA), Martha Jackson (VOA), Howard Jones (VOA), Amina Mohammed (EVE), Sunshine Morgan-McIntyre Sr. (DHHS), Traci Munson (HRDI), Shawna Nyeholt (Peckham/CAMW), Nkechi Okeafor (Advent House), Brandon Pellerin (CAMW-LCC), Abegail Robertson-Davis (CAMW/Peckham), Carrie Rosingana (CAMW), Lisa Saltman (Carefree Medical), Paul Spata (Red Cross), Sherri Szilagyi (CRM), Ray Trevino (CAMW), Fonda Turner-Cavin (CAMW/Peckham), and David Henrion (GLHRN)
1) Introductions
a) Al began the meeting at 8:35, introducing himself and inviting everyone around the table to do the same.
2) Review of October Minutes
a) Al moved to accept the minutes, and Sunshine seconded. The vote is unanimous.
3) Capital Area Michigan Works Presentation
a) Carrie Rosingana began the presentation. She introduced CAMW as a network of resources in the tricounty area.
i) She said their goal is to help with work force development needs.
ii) CAMW is funded by the state and a few additional agencies.
iii) CAMW also helps with youth 16-24, about 70% of which are out of school.
(1) They work to help them obtain employment, build their resume, or get back into school.
iv) Another priority is veterans, so they have a staff person who solely works with veterans.
v) CAMW has 3 service centers in the area, open Monday through Friday 8 to 5.
vi) CAMW workshops are open to the public.
vii) They are currently in demand as an employer driven agency, transitioning from a participant driven agency.
b) Jim Bunn said his team was established three years ago, focusing on knowing what employees want/need.
i) He said there was a skills gap in the manufacturing and technology sectors.
ii) Jim stated that his Business Service Team has several councils, including manufactory and tech.
(1) On their Lansing team, each member is based in an industry cluster with an employer type.
(2) Team members reach out to employers and ask what their needs are.
(3) Employers bring CAMW jobs to post, and CAMW tells employers any special programs that they have.
(a) Jim said one current CAMW program, REOLA, helps currently employed workers gain further skills.
iii) Jim said they also host events, such as manufacturing job events, to train people for upcoming jobs.
c) Brandon Pellerin said that his job is to help students navigate education and prepare for work.
i) He said CAMW can provide financial aid for LCC or for training.
ii) Brandon stated he runs assessment tests, workshops, job-specific workshops, tutoring, and resume work.
iii) He said there is also an application workshop with LCC for people reentering the workforce.
d) Fonda said that CAMW’s events are posted on their calendar online.
e) Ray Trevino talked about his department, Trade Adjustment, which is federally funded.
i) Ray said he helps folks affected by imported goods or exported jobs.
(1) Claims are investigated by the Labor Department and if so workers can receive benefits.
ii) Ray said they have a Program Eligibility service, which can send workers to school for up to $15,000 a year.
iii) Ray also spoke about their ATTA and RTAA subsidies, which are for 50+ workers to adjust to lower wages.
(1) These can go for 2 years and up to $15,000.
iv) Ray said they also have worker retraining processes, and told the group to keep checking CAMW’s website.
(1) Al asked how many people were in the program.
(2) Ray said that it was very large in 2009 and 2010, but it has slowed down, although they get people from across the state.
v) Sunshine asked if a claim could be certified during a layoff.
(1) Carrie said that it could, and they have extensive plans in place.
(2) Ray said that unions can be a driving force behind the claim, as can the state.
vi) Carrie said there are some difficulties in certifying people, and they are trying to contact with those who choose not to connect with CAMW during these situations.
vii) Sunshine asked if clients with unemployment were eligible, which Carrie confirmed.
f) Traci Munson said that she worked for HRDI, the non-profit wing of the AFL-CIO.
i) HRDI was founded in the 1980s to help union members who had lost their jobs, but it has expanded to all.
ii) Traci discussed her efforts to write a grant to cover training for skilled labor.
iii) She is looking for unemployed folks who want manufacturing jobs.
(1) Traci discussed her ability to certify “CPT” status, and her efforts to convince employers to value this.
(2) She also mentioned their pilot programs, which are free, and also training in welding and other areas.
(3) Traci said she is trying to encourage young adults, but harder to recruit from those told to go to college.
(a) She said that manufacturing has changed, and is much cleaner and safety now.
iv) Sunshine asked how they refer, and Traci said it is through their information session.
g) Shanta Dryer discussed their transitioning program, which requires photo ID from LCC.
i) She talked about the Center of Workforce Transition, which works with high risk individuals like homeless ex-offenders and working on expungements and credit scores.
ii) She said she would like to get more information in the community.
h) Carrie again referenced the importance and usefulness of their online calendar.
i) Abegail Robertson-Davis talked about CAMW’s food assistance program, for folks 18-49 and able to work.
i) Abegail said she works with clients on employment, including some work force training.
ii) She said that clientele tends to be homeless and couch homeless, and gets referrals from DHHS.
iii) Abegail stated she would like information about the program to get out and get more referrals.
iv) The Employability Express class explains all CAMW services in one meeting.
v) Abegail said it is a tiny program, so there is some hand holding, and continues for 90 days later.
(1) Abegail will work for them to help clients to write a resume/CV to get an interview and a look for jobs.
(2) She said there is one on one job search help for 3 weeks, giving a support system for client confidence.
(3) Abegail stated clients care contact DHHS caseworkers and ask to apply for the food assistance program.
(a) Martha asked if there were other routes for referrals.
(i) Abegail said she tells clients to contact her 4 days after contacting their case worker, since she understands that workers are busy.
vi) Abegail said the program is only for people without dependents receiving food stamps, and the goal is to work people off of their food stamps. Participants can be dual enrolled.
j) Shawna Nyeholt said she is the PATH (Partnership, Accountability, Training and Hope) coordinator, but that is a recently changed name.
i) Shawna said her referrals only come from DHHS and from cash assistance clients, who have dependents.
ii) She said they help out a lot of refugees in the area, working with St. Vincent Catholic Charities.
iii) They offer lots of in-house job training and workshops, some of which are open to the public.
iv) The program requires 40 hours of activity required, with intensive program.
v) Shawna stated they also offer SSOs, including bus passes, clothing, and help with barriers/unemployment.
vi) She said the Peckham Foundation offers mini-grants, so the staff can offer gap services that way.
(1) One example of this is phone services, which people can get prepaid phones or help pay a monthly bill.
(2) There can be 45 days for cash assistance to start.
(3) Clean Slate is another program; it allows people to have records expunged.
(a) Al asked if there were restrictions.
(i) Shawna said it depends on locations and type of offers.
(4) Personal Hygiene is another program, which was created since SNAP doesn’t pay for detergent.
(a) There is a workshop on the program requirements, and then get $30 worth of items.
(5) Shawna also mentioned the PACE program, which is a 3 day intensive workshop focusing on college.
(a) They give lots of career advice, and it is now open to all participants.
k) Fonda discussed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, which started on 7/1/15.
i) They are still writing the permanent guidelines.
(1) The adult program targets “low income” clients.
(2) The dislocated worker program is for laid off workers. It includes training funds (up to $5,000) and also emergency grants for people laid off for more than 20 weeks. This is not income eligible.
(3) They have money for equipment, uniforms, books, and more (up to $1,000 in 12 months).
(4) Fonda said there is 1 year of follow-up for adults, and they are still eligible for funds during that time.
(5) The program has plenty of money now, but may start running out in April or May.
(a) Fonda encourages people to apply, especially dislocated workers. She talked about the importance of keeping people busy.
(6) Fonda said the program has lots of up to date computers and locations.
ii) Fonda reiterated the importance of starting with the “Employment Express” class.
(1) Carrie said they walk through the large amount of required documentation.
(2) Fonda said they give an attendance letter.
iii) Carrie discussed how youth, 16-24, who have dropped out can come in.
(1) LSP operates youth programs, and are always available.
(2) They work with a lot of homeless youth, and try to get them information in CAMW’s lobby as quickly as they can.