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CalWORKS/VTEA/Tech Prep

Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

May 9, 2006

Members in Attendance:

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Michelle Alves, Community Member

Lisa Campbell, Hemet CalWORKS/GAIN

Nancy Campfield, AFLP/Cal Learn

David Candelaria, MSJC

Holly Chavez, Alternative to Domestic Violence

Richard Collins, MSJC

Rhonda Dixon, MSJC

Kati Ford, La Vista Center

Robert Frost, IBEW 440

Jill Lanphere, MSJC

Richard Lemire, ECOPAC

Arcy Marquez, Lake ElsinoreGAIN

Mario Muella, Hemet GAIN

Laurie McLaughlin, MSJC

Jerri Olivarez, Hilton Reservations

Laurie Pendley, SJHS

Karen Poppen, Beaumont USD

MaryJo Ramirez, California Family Life Center

Roddy Rampersad, MSJC

Geoffrey Reed, MSJC

Mike Rose, MSJC

Kevin Rubow, RCOE ROP

Janis Ruggiero, Hemet CalWORKS/
GAIN

Jim Smith, HUSD

Joan Todaro, Hemet CalWORKS/GAIN

Kathy Valcarcel, MSJC

Estella Villegas, Perris GAIN

Donna Wilder, MSJC

Renee Williams, EDA

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  • Welcome & Self Introductions

Richard Collins, MSJC Dean of Career Education and Categorical Programs, called the meeting to order at approximately 11:45 a.m. by welcoming all participants. Members introduced themselves.

  • Purpose of Advisory Committees

Rick Collinsbriefly explained the purpose of advisory committee meetings as noted in the Advisory Committee Brochure included in the meeting packets.

  • Program Updates

CalWORKs

Kathy Valcarcelannounced that there are 15 graduates from the program this semester. The TANF grant reauthorization,effective June 2006,looks good so far with little or no changes expected. Updates will be received at the coordinators’ meeting on June 13-14th, 2006. Kathy is the liaison for TANF CDC, which currently has 12 students enrolled and two on the waiting list. The college is also working on trying to write and get approvalfor a new grant, Early Learning and School Readiness Americorps Program (ELSRAP), to prepare low income children for success while preparing college students for a life-long career as an early childhood educator.

Joan Todaro gave an account of recent changes within Riverside CountyGAIN (DPSS). As of June 2005, Cynthia Henkley came aboard as Director. Patty Pauley is the Deputy Director and Pam Anderson is the Regional Manager. A new organizational plan has been designed with an emphasis on 3 specific areas: 1.) Customer Service, 2.) Incorporating DPSS into a larger network creating a network of partners, 3.) Efficiency Operations - delivering maximum impact to ensure accountability and to streamline operations.

VTEA

Rick Collins gave a VTEA program update onhow the college is planning to spend VTEA dollars in 2006-2007. Some of the areas to be targeted are student completion/success and employment. As a result there is going to be an emphasis on increasing tutorial orientations, instructional aides, and increasing internships and business partnerships to increase employment. Laurie McLaughlin expressed that student retention is another factor we are challenged with and explained that personalized attention is necessary to get the students to be successful.

NursingInitiativeUpdate

Rick Collins reviewed the handout on the Healthy Community Forum. Valley Health Systems and Southwest Health each contributed$1.5 million in matching funds so that the college could get $2 million in the Healthy Community Forum Grant. Valley Health Systems and Southwest Health both actively support programs that help grow their own employees. This multiple year grant is allowing us to purchase a new specialized portable building and a total of $180,000 in equipment. The equipment funds will be used in partto purchase a patient simulator lab for instructional use where students can get clinical credit in addition to their “on site” clinical experiences. The equipment has been ordered and is on its way.

The MSJC Drug and Alcohol Program is now accredited. A couple of other options available for students are the EMT Program and Medical Assistant Program. Curriculum for the Medical Assistant Program is in the process of being upgraded and the college is still growing in this area. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) program will start during the Summer 2006 semester.

TechPrep

Donna Wilder explained that the purpose of Tech Prep is to help students make the connection between school and work. She also explained the importance of articulation. The Tech Prep Consortia, consisting of 8 high school districts and ROP, meets in the fall to decide projects.

Two importantelements of Tech Prep are: 1.) The Articulation Process; 2.) Tech Prep Mini Grants. Training and Articulation Daysare offered twice a year one at the San Jacinto Campus and one at the Menifee Campus. Tech Prep Mini Grants are available to each district for a maximum of $1,500 to help cover costs relating to the articulation of courses with those at MSJC. There is a wide spectrum of subjects that have already been articulated and some still pending. Rick Collins explained that a total of six articulated credits per subject or 12 units total will be accepted at MSJC.

  • Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Laurie McLaughlin spoke aboutthe brand new Pre-Apprenticeship Program which is taking place now. Bob Frost from IBEW 440provided additional details. Twelve of fifteen crafts have already made presentations in the class with Certification on First Aid/CPR as well as OSHA and Forklift Certification still to follow. The goal is that the 10 week course will explain career options to move up, plus provide certificates that can lead to an entry level job. The name of the program will be changed to Apprenticeship Awareness. The local Workforce Development Board will be looking at an Arizona model that offers completion students $1,500 to cover apprenticeship tuition, purchase tools, supply equipment, etc., to encourage students to go through the program.

  • Business and Accounting Program Update

David Candelaria introduced the new CAPP 125C and CAPP 080 courses that will be offered by the Business Department. CAPP 125C3 and CAPP 125C are specially designed Excel courses in Business and Accounting. Also new, CAPP 065 has been designed for Formatting Term Papers using MS Word and is available online. Bill Bennett emphasized that CAPP 080 is important for prepping students to take online courses.

  • Honda Pact and Honda Express Program

Roddy Rampersad gave a presentation which highlighted the Honda Pact Program including student success stories. The Automotive Program is certified as both a NATEF and Honda PACT program. It is the first in the country to have both certifications. Honda has donated vehicles for training purposes and the tools used in the program are the same as those in the Honda workplace to prep students intransferring straight to work. There are currently four certified Honda Instructors and a new Express Lube Service Program being offered. Day and evening classes are available.

  • Community Education and Non Credit Courses

Rhonda Dixon spoke of the wide variety of non credit and fee based courses currently available in the Community Education Summer Schedule. We are looking at expanding the non credit program as well as short term vocational areas. Classes come from a need from the community so all ideas for new classes are welcome. Ideas for fall are needed between now and the end of June. Laurie McLaughlin requested that if anyone has a place to distribute schedules contact Rhonda with the number of schedules needed. Rhonda made everyone aware of the need for additional spaces to hold classes. Also, all business and ESL classes can be offered on a contract basis for businesses. Laurie McLaughlin is the contact for any special contract requests.

  • Feedback and Future Directions from Business Partners

Richard Lemire –requested that the “Honda car enter the cherry blossom parade”

Karen Poppen – Beaumont Unified School District has established an Advisory Committee with a goal to create a five year plan and timeline for career programs …would like to talk to some of our staff concerning their participation.

Holly Chavez – “domestic violence victims run into a lot of obstacles”, ADV is currently “trying to overcome them so the women can benefit from programs at MSJC …transportation is a challenge”

Roddy Rampersad – “students coming in need to be computer literate”

Michelle Alves – “Fran Hopper with Golden Diggers has computers available for ADV”…recommended a “news story article” to inform the public of what is happening

Mike Rose – “we do lots of Career Tech counseling”, “Howard Gardner…Multiple Intelligence is a good way to view students check it out”

Jim Smith – “There is a gender equity and non traditional training for middle school and high school counselors coming up.”

  • Adjournment

Richard Collins closed the meeting at approximately 1:30 pm by thanking everyone for coming and participating.