GEORGIA MOUNTAINS REGIONAL COMMISSION WORKSOURCE GEORGIA MOUNTAINS

1856 THOMPSON BRIDGE RD., SUITE 3 • GAiNESVILLE, GEORGIA 30501 PHONE (770) 538-2727 FAX(770)538-2729

October 25, 2018

Minutes

The Georgia Mountains Regional Commission Workforce Development Board (GMWDB) met on October 25, 2018 at 4:00 PM. The meeting was held at the Smith House Restaurant located in Dahionega, Georgia. A sign-in sheet was distributed, and the following were present:

Members Present Staff Thomas Bridges John Phillips David Cagle Heather Feldman Bill Chafin Diane Jackson Chris Dockery Andrea Newsom Pat Freeman Dawn Bruce Andrea Gibby Jessica Williams Robert Long Whitney Williams Deborah Mack Nona Turk Sam Norton Dr. Ray Perren Guest Shelby Ward Benj ie Hopkins Mary Overholt Marsha Hopkins Gregory Vitek Courtney Rouse Beth Williams Robin Cone Mark Winters

Members Absent

Alicia Andrews, Tim Bala, Tim Lee, Mitch Griggs, Tony Hoyle, Mike McGraw, Rhonda McLean, Jon Williams, and William Wade were absent.

Call to Order/Welcome

Andrea Gibby, Board Chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed the attendees. The discussion items were moved to the beginning to allow more members time to arrive.

Discussion Items

TCSG Monitoring John Phillips, WorkSource Georgia Mountains Director announced that the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Office of Workforce Development would be conducting the annual monitoring for the

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GMRC WorkSource office next week. WorkSource has been submitting information for this review for the past three weeks. The opening interview will be Monday morning, October 29, 2018 at 10:00 am and the closing will be on Thursday or Friday.

Board Training/Retreat

WorkSource Georgia Mountains conducted a Board and Local Elected Officials (LEO) training on October 4, 2018 at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) in Clarkesville. Beth Williams with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services stated that John did a great job explaining the presentation and Shelby Ward with NGTC stated the training material was very informative for the Board. Chair Gibby announced that WorkSource Georgia Mountains would like to offer another training session in six months for anyone who was not able to attend. Tentative dates for the training would be emailed out to the Board.

Budget

Nona Turk, Financial Assistant stated that the budget was emailed to the Board prior to the meeting and was also included in the handouts. The budget showed the funds that need to be spent by June 30 2019: Adult - $1,071,654.00; Dislocated Worker - $547,000.00; Youth $400,394.00. In addition, 80% of the original allocation needs to be obligated.

One-Stop Update

Benjie Hopkins, One Stop Operator, gave an update on the WorkSource Georgia Mountains One-Stop Center. At the last Board meeting, Benjie had mentioned that he had been focused on getting the word out about the One-Stop and they were working with United Way in Gainesville and the Salvation Army. They are continuing to work with them. Benjie has also reached out to Goodwill, The Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Family Promise, and Brenau University. Brenau University has a group called Learning and Leisure Institute which has a program called the Bullie Program. The Learning and Leisure Institute is made up of retired individuals that volunteer in the community. Every other month partner meetings are being conducted. At the last Partner meeting, the focus was on Vocational Rehabilitation. Vocational Rehabilitation did a great job on explaining their services to the other partners. John Phillips and Benjie also visited the Vocational Rehabilitation office and had a session that allowed them to ask questions about the services of the One-Stop. Lanier Technical College has started back with their GED classes on Tuesday and Thursdays at the One-Stop Center. The number of people that have visited the One-Stop Center for the period of July-September was 825, compared to 2017; which was an increase of 130%. Benjie reminded everyone about the One-Stop website http://onestopworkgamtns.org/ that is accessible through the GMRC website.

Performance Reports

John Phillips explained the WorkSource Georgia Mountains' Adult, Dislocated and Youth Program performance information for the 4 h quarter of 2017. The Adult employment rate for quarter two was 110.61 percent and quarter four performance was 98.77 percent. The Adult credential rate was 116.98 percent and the median earning was 94.32 percent. WorkSource met or exceeded all of the Adult goals. The Dislocated Worker employment rate for quarter two was 110.52 percent and 101.85 percent for quarter four. The credential rate was 97.56 and the median earning was 104 percent. This performance also met or exceeded the goals for the Dislocated Worker Program. The Youth Program performance was 89.9 percent for employment in quarter two and 102.88 percent in quarter four. The credential rate was

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80.27. John explained that the Youth performance was harder to achieve due to the applicants that WorkSource Georgia Mountains is required to serve.

Chair Gibby announced a quorum was established at 4:20pm.

Old Business

Board Officer Elections

Chair Gibby explained that because the Bylaws were updated, they now state three year terms instead of two years. The officers will be able to serve another year. All of the officers have agreed; however, the decision is up to the Board. Bill Chafin made a motion to allow the current officers to remain for another year. Shelby Ward seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

New Biicinicc

WorkSource Georgia Mountain 2018 Plan Modifications

The WorkSource Georgia Mountains 2018 Plan Modification was posted on the GMRC webs ite and an email was sent out to inform the Board of the posting for their review. WorkSource is required to post the Plan for 30 days for review and comments. After the 30 day period, the Board would need to vote on the approval. WorkSource would like the Board's permission to allow the Executive Committee to meet for the Plan's approval in order to meet the deadline of submitting it to the State. The Plan would be brought back to the Board for ratification at the next scheduled Board meeting. Pat Freeman made a motion to allow the Executive Committee to approve. Bill Chafin seconded and motion passed unanimously.

Policy Revisions

Individual Training Account (ITA) Updates

Whitney Williams, Adult/Dislocated Worker Supervisor, explained that the ITA Polices have been updated to be more in line with the State's Policy. WorkSource would like to add Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy to the list of the higher cost programs. We would also like to add Career Ladder programs and Post Baccalaureate programs. Shelby Ward made a motion to approve the ITA Policy changes. Deborah Mack seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Support Policy

Whitney Williams explained that the Support Policy was also updated to be more in line with the States Policy. Prior customers were required to meet 250% of the poverty level to be eligible to receive supportive services. Per the State's Policy we need to focus on individual need. Dr. Perren made a motion to accept the revisions to the Support Policy. Shelby Ward seconded and motion passed unanimously.

On the Job Training (OJT)

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John Phillips explained the OJT Policy was also updated to be more in line with the State's Policy. The minimum starting wage was changed to $11.42 or greater. The WSGM OJT reimbursement was capped at $8,500.00 per trainee. Thomas Bridges made a motion to accept the changes to the OJT Policy. Deborah Mack seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Policy

John Phillips explained that the reason for the revision of the IWT Policy was to include the State's Policy and Procedure Manual Section 3.41.4 requirements in addition to IWT limitations and to assure compliance. Beth Williams made a motion to approve the revisions to the IWT Policy. Deborah Mack seconded and motion carried unanimously.

GMWDB Revisions

WDB Bylaws

Chair Gibby explained that the Bylaws were posted on the website and emailed out to the Board seven days prior to the meeting as required. Bill Chafin made a motion to approve. Deborah Mack seconded and motion carried unanimously.

WDB, CLEO and GMRC Agreement

Chair Gibby explained the WDB, CLEO and GMRC agreement was posted on the website and emailed out to Board. Sam Norton made a motion to approve the agreement. Thomas Bridges seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

LEO Board/WDB Memorandum of Understanding

Chair Gibby explained the LEO and WDB Memorandum of Understanding was emailed and posted to the website seven days prior. Bill Chafin made a motion to approve the LEO Board and WDB Memorandum of Understanding. Sam Norton seconded and motion passed unanimously.

Contracts with TCSG for Case Management

John Phillips explained that in order to facilitate increased enrollments into demand occupations training at Lanier Technical College and North Georgia Technical Colleges, WSGM proposes to negotiate the provision of case management services. WorkSource would have one Case Manager per technical college. Dr. Perren, Greg Vitek and Shelby Ward abstained from the vote. Deborah Mack made a motion to approve. Beth Williams seconded and motion carried.

TCSG State Pilot Program for Dawson and Hall County

John Phillips explained this State Pilot Program would be working with the Accountability Court. The reason they chose Hall and Dawson was they are in the same court system. The cost would be $3,500.00 per student and the length of the program would be ten weeks. If the applicant completes the training, then their record would be clear. Sam Norton made a motion to approve the State Pilot Program. Beth Williams seconded and motion passed. Dr. Perren and Gregg Vitek abstained from vote.

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Provider Application (North GA RESA)

Jessica Williams, Youth Program Supervisor, explained that WorkSource received a new training provider application from North Georgia RESA for their Alternative Teacher Certification Program. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission granted a development approval for this program on March 8, 2018. However, WorkSource currently works with two other RESA offices. WorkSource staff is asking for approval for this provider. Bill Chafin made a motion to approve North Georgia RESA. Thomas Bridges seconded and motion carried unanimously.

TrackSource

John Phillips explained WorkSource would like approval to purchase a data tracking and reporting tool called TrackSource. TrackSource has been used by the WIA/WIOA offices for seventeen years. It is a proven, robust and comprehensive business tool. The average set up fee is $12,000.00 to $25,000.00. The monthly cost would be $1,504.00 for sixteen users. Andrea Newsom, GMRC Finance Director, explained TrackSource would help the Finance Department track the training obligations more accurately. The Chairman of the WDB in Savannah, GA created the TrackSource program. Dr. Perren made a motion to approve the purchase of TrackSource. Beth Williams seconded and motion passed unanimously.

Consideration of Minutes

Chair Gibby asked for consideration of the July 26, 2018 Workforce Development Board meeting minutes. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Beth Williams. Shelby Ward seconded and motion carried unanimously.

Board member, Greg Vitek, shared a video that was created by Hall County Chamber of Commerce, Lanier Technical College and WorkSource Georgia Mountains. The video is targeting High School students to change their mindset on manufacturing jobs.

Adjournment

Thomas Bridges made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Perren seconded, and motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:00PM.

Board Chair

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