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Odle Management Group and all of our Center Directors, management staff and students join with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in the launching of the Youth 2 Youth (Y2Y): Partners 4 Peace initiative. Y2Y was introduced by Job Corps students to the Job Corps community through Information Notice 15-02. This notice provides resources for student leadership to plan the project on Job Corps Centers and in their communities.

The Y2Y Student Ambassadors and leaders will continue to implement Y2Y on an ongoing campaign at each center. A special week of awareness (official launch week) took place on September 14-18, 2015, that allowed the student leaders to officially introduce Y2Y to their local communities.

The Y2Y launching activities in Long Beach were well-attended by distinguished guests from DOL, headed by Job Corps’ National Director, Ms. Lenita Jacobs-Simmons and Ms. Miles Galicia, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Regional Office. For more information on Ms. Jacobs-Simmons’ visit to Long Beach Job Corps Center, please see the link:

https://blog.dol.gov/2015/09/17/introducing-youth2youth-partners4peace/.

We are also pleased to have the other distinguished guests and community leaders who attended the Long Beach Y2Y launching: Ms. Julie Tran from Congressman Lowenthal’s office; Councilmember Roberto Uranga from the 7th District; Ms. Tracy Colunga of Safe Committees Workgroup and Special Projects Officer for the Neighborhood Relations Division; Lieutenant Michael Lewis of the Long Beach Police Department, West Division; Ms. Keeyon Layton, a 2004 Long Beach Job Corps Center alumnus and our guest speaker; and Mr. Ken Bott, Long Beach Job Corps Workforce Council Chair.

Special acknowledgement to Los Angeles Job Corps Center Staff and Y2Y ambassadors who came and participated in the Long Beach Y2Y program launching.

SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mr. Matthew Davis, Center Director, Mr. Peter Young, Finance and Administration Director and Ms. Sandy Annino, Business Community Liaison of the Long Beach Center, that led the team of Y2Y ambassadors, management staff, center staff and students, in making the Y2Y launching a major success! We also want to extend our big thanks to all of the Y2Y ambassadors who made the national Y2Y launching an awesome success.

An ODLE Newsletter Volume IX , Issue 3 FALL EDITION 2015

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Maximum Performance Drives Success in our respective roles and functions, as we

continually provide our students with the maximum Job Corps services and benefits -

Our mantra that governs our operations.

Odle Management Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Ms. Miles Galicia, front left and Ms. Lenita Jacobs-Simmons,

center front, with Y2Y student ambassadors.

Ms. Odle, far left; Mr. Davis, behind her; Ms. Jacobs-Simmons,

center, and Ms. Galicia far right, pose with Y2Y students.

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THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER (cont.).

Now, let us continue our campaign for anti-violence and lead our Y2Y students in getting their voices heard! I implore all of you to continue the positive press releases to the public about Y2Y; feature the many accomplishments of our students, graduates, our centers; and all of the positive benefits of the Job Corps

Program to economically-disadvantaged youth we serve every day! ~ Lisa Odle ~

.

L to R: Michael Fernandez, New Orleans

Center Director with Kenneth Polite , U.S

Attorney for the Eastern District (Presidential

appointee) at Y2Y rally.

New Orleans city councilmembers with police officers and students from a neighboring elementary

school attend Y2Y rally.

Neighboring New Orleans elementary

student supports Y2Y rally with “Crime

Stopper” sign.

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IT’S ‘SAFETY FIRST’ AT LONG BEACH JOB CORPS CENTER

Sandy Annino, Contributor

Long Beach Job Corps staff recently participated in intensive safety-related training as part of the Center’s

monthly All Staff Training. Role playing simulations provided opportunities to practice how to respond to commonly occurring situations. They also learned

appropriate action to take when encountering a safety

situation.

Staff members acted in eight scenarios consisting of potentially serious situations on Center that have

necessitated Significant Incident Reports (SIRs).

Besides the major actors,

other staff were to react to each scenario and take action to address

and resolve the situation in a safe, positive manner.

Additional staff members were asked to be invisible observers.

Following each scenario, there was a discussion evaluating each group’s resolution of the

situation, resulting in the creation of best practices.

Safety and Security Manager Rashaun Ellis stated, “We created these scenarios as a means to learn appropriate actions for resolving situations that could quickly escalate if not handled properly.” Scenarios included suicidal ideation, physical altercation, sudden injury, alcohol

intoxication, missing safety equipment, addressing disrespectful students, etc.

Matthew W. Davis, Center Director, commended staff for their quick thinking and ability to swiftly, safely, and smoothly resolve the conflicts. “Many staff members

commented on this innovative training method, saying they learned a lot. We plan to conduct more training utilizing this

model in the future,” said Mr. Davis.

Paul Starson, Maintenance Supervisor, role plays a

student engaging in activities violating center rules.

Left: Reginald Byers, Academic Instructor, demonstrates aiding Ms. Ravon Hardy,

Residential Advisor, acting as though she suffered a seizure.

Sr Mobile Advisor, Jody Yin, in a role with

a potential weapon.

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New Orleans Job Corps Center’s Highest Priority:

Protecting the Lives of Students and Staff

Randy Savoie, Contributor

In August, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) presented an interactive training on effectively handling

the occurrence of an active shooter on New Orleans Job Corps Center grounds. Their exercises

were designed to enhance the readiness of Center administrators and staff to respond to a real life

threat on campus.

The Department of Homeland Security defines

an “active shooter” as “an individual who is

engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in

a confined or populated area.”

Officers covered the three top responses to

be used if the situation arises: run, hide or

fight. They emphasized that everyone should

always have an escape route in mind and

evacuate regardless whether others agree to

follow. “Call 911 as soon as you are out of

harm’s way,” officers advise.

Their second recommendation is to hide out of

the shooter’s line of vision. Staff and students

should lock or block the door to their hiding

places and silence cell phones immediately.

A person should fight back as a final option — only if he feels his life is in danger. State police

officers recommend attempting to incapacitate the shooter with as much physical force as possible.

Throw items at the shooter, if feasible, with decisive and committed actions.

“We hope for the best but, nevertheless, have to always be prepared for the worst,” says New

Orleans Job Corps Center Director Michael Fernandez. “The active shooter training conducted by

the Louisiana State Police is part of an

ongoing program on our Center that will

involve a new emergency operation

plan, security system upgrades and

enhancements to the Center entrance.”

“Our top priority is, and always will be,

protecting the lives of our students and

staff,” said Mr. Fernandez.

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SAFETY IS #1 PRIORITY AT WHITNEY YOUNG

Jannette Sweeney, Contributor

In today’s society, safety concerns are prevalent; but not at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Job Corps Center. Students and staff are kept safe, and “Charger Pride” instills constant vigilance. Their actions demonstrate that they take safety very seriously!

From the beginning, students are welcomed at the security gate and introduced to the Security Department where they learn safety measures for campus life. “Safety Tim,” as he likes to be called, just joined the Whitney Young team in July, 2015. He comes with impeccable credentials as a retired Air Force Veteran with Paramedic and Flight Paramedic knowledge. He also served as Director of EMS / EM at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. In July, Whitney Young Job Corps Center hosted Odle Management Group’s company-wide Summit for staff in Social Development, Center Standards and Incentives, Safety and Security. Kentucky State Trooper, Jack Hedges, gave a powerful presentation on Active Shooter Survival Skills. He covered the history and behaviors of prior active shooters in the United States and tips to survive potential threats. Students are also taking an active role in safety. Each dorm elects a Safety Leader who attends monthly safety meetings and informs both staff and students of any concerns. The Safety Leader also works with Security to conduct random inspections on vehicles as they enter and leave campus. Career Planning Preparation and Counseling staff created “YOU MATTER” fliers identifying key contacts for anyone who feels unsafe. Hazardous Materials instruction is part of the certification process for certain trades. The most effective safety tool is the student, staff and visitor ID Badge. Everyone is given an ID Badge for their protection. If someone is on campus without a proper ID badge, he will be stopped immediately. There is a safety role for every person at Whitney Young Job Corps Center, and it is taken very seriously.

Kentucky State Trooper, Jack Hedges

Pete Ford, Safety and Security Manager.

Safety Officer, Tim Smith Rhonda Carter, Residential Shift Supervisor, attends Active Shooter Survival class.

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ARKANSAS OA/CTS MOTTO: “BE CAREFUL OUT THERE”

Myrtis Rogers, Contributor

“Be careful out there” usually signals the end of Arkansas CTS conference calls. Why? Because safety

is essential to a successful business and its employees.

Every day OA/CTS workers travel to various destinations, interact with strangers, endure changing

climates and put themselves at risk by driving sometimes on

deserted roads.

Staff members are faced with unpredictable situations whenever

they leave the confines of their offices in search of a potential

student or job placement.

To increase safety and reduce mishaps, staff members of

Arkansas Job Corps’ OA/CTS team discuss daily the essentials of

practicing safety. Sometimes they use a fun and lighthearted

approach – other times it takes on a more serious tone. Either

way the message is loud and clear: because they are mobile,

usually working alone, and with strangers, they often place themselves in vulnerable positions.

There are fundamental safety strategies they utilize while traveling. Foremost, they never become so

anxious to get a placement or sign a student that they ignore their own instincts. One of their “rules

of thumb” is to be suspicious of everyone. They often use predetermined code words to alert their

supervisor or teammate of suspicious activities.

In Arkansas where summer temperatures reach triple digits with extreme humidity, they make sure to

stay hydrated. Lightweight clothing is essential, and they take advantage of air conditioning where

possible. In other words, they use common sense.

Staying safe during winter months means they check weather

reports, layer up and keep spare blankets in their trunk. On wet

or icy streets, they know to reduce their speed and turn into a

slide—rather than away from it—if their car starts slipping.

When they feel uncomfortable on wet roads, they pull over to

safety. They never attempt to cross running water.

The protocol for a flat tire is to slow down and grip the steering

wheel. They make sure not to slam on their brakes, but to gently

tap them instead. Then they drive on the flat tire to get off the

road. Before calling for help, they turn on their flashers. While

waiting for help, they stand about fifty feet away rather than

behind or on the side of the car.

A little paranoid? Maybe. Overly cautious? Probably so. But,

as the old saying goes: “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” And,

“Be Careful Out There.”

Travis Gates, Admissions Counselor,

foreground, and DeAngelo Hicks, Career

Transition Specialist, tackle car repair.

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Safety First: Journey to the Administration Building Ranada Reid, Contributor

Odle Management OA/CTS staff were moved to the

Administrative Building at the Flint Genesee Job Corps

Center in July, 2015. Michigan OACTS/Flint staff offices

have been at the Center since the beginning of the

contract.

Formerly, ODLE staff were located in a private and

attractive office in the northwest corner of the campus.

However, the remoteness turned out to be burdensome

as well as a safety concern. Since staff is required to

escort all visitors to their designated areas and ensure

that they promptly depart Center after completing their

tasks, ODLE staff spent a lot of time escorting visitors.

There is a significant amount of visitor and student

traffic to the building. Every week Admissions staff

meet with an average of 40 visitors in addition to

hosting open office hours to promote student retention. CTS staff meet trainees who

are preparing to leave the program and start working in their field. Post placement

students come to center to secure bus tickets, checks, update resumes, drop off pay

stubs, complete their FAFSA, and a variety of other CTS services.

This heavy traffic posed potential safety concerns

which prompted the Safety Team at Flint Genesee

Job Corps Center to move ODLE staff to the

Administration Building. Keeping the trainees,

staff, and visitors of the Job Corps Center safe is a

top priority for Center Standards Officer, Leodis

Johnson. “We want to ensure that doing business

here at the Flint Genesee Job Corps Center is a

safe and positive experience for all those who

enter into our gates,” stated Mr. Johnson. Now

visitors are serviced expediently at the front door.

Traffic is monitored by security staff. ODLE staff

are safe and well in Flint Michigan.

Leotis Johnson, Center

Standard Incentive Officer,

Flint Genesee Job Corps

Mayssa Hodge, Flint Genesse Job Corps

Trainee, at front entrance gate of Job

Corps Center

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Team Building to Foster a Safe Working Environment in North Carolina Dorothy Sidberry, Contributor

Road trips can bring people together, and that’s what the North Carolina OA/CTS staff experienced during their annual Summer Staff Training. “Together in the Direction of Success” was the theme as

they gathered in their state capital, Raleigh, at the NC Rural Center. Four groups of eight people engaged in a team building exercise — planning a one way or round trip anywhere in the USA on a budget of $500. Safety was a key consideration on their limited budget which included food, lodging, transportation, etc.

The goal of this team-building exercise was to collectively experience the value of achieving a common goal through open communication, respect for each other’s input and creating a team plan. The bonding that resulted will provide the foundation for a renewed focus on SAFETY from the National Office.

Participants realize that safety in our working environments is crucial to generate a more cohesive approach to team etiquette and overall service delivery to constituents. The goal is to demonstrate safety among each other and within their respective locales. Safety will be included in OA/CTS orientations with potential applicants. A Safety Topic will be incorporated in OA/CTS staff conference calls, reinforcing that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The Youth2Youth: Partners 4 Peace is a great violence-prevention initiative that North Carolina OA/CTS looks forward to supporting. They will partner with their NC Job Corps Centers for the week-long launch in September and thereafter.