W-2 COMMUNITY STEERING COMMITTEE

JANUARY 11, 2012

MINUTES

Present: Tony VanKampen, Dave Thiel, Dick Turner, Becky Hurt, Sarah Heinrich, Linda Remington, Chris Machamer, Brian Wolfe, Courtney Windorski.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Tony VanKampen. The Open Meeting Statement was read and followed.

The agenda was approved as written.

The minutes of the September 14 meeting were approved as written.

Introductions were made because staff from Forward Service Corporation attended the meeting.

Job Center Report—Dick Turner reported on the Agency Center Visits and Activity report. The Center is down to three days per week since July 2011. This is resulting in numbers of attendees being down. Most of the customers reside in Waupaca, but many come from various surrounding communities. Most customers come to use the internet. The Customer Satisfaction survey was conducted on 12/6/11 and again resulted in very high marks for Waupaca.

Dick also reported on the National Career Readiness Certification. There are 4 levels, and it done through ACT. This is only monitored by Job Service staff. It is free and can be done here or at home on the internet. Many employers are preferring or requiring this certification. Dick recommended that W2 clients use this.

Job Seeking Skills Workshops—Dick Turner reported that Chris Schultz will try to get workshops set up again in 2012. The video link has not worked well because of scheduling conflicts, but she will try to get some workshops scheduled around when it is available. She is working on getting some of the workshops being put on in the Fox Valley Workforce Development Center to be aired in Waupaca.

W-2 and FSET Staffing and Forward Services Subcontract—Chris Machamer reported that Adrienne Miller gave her resignation and her last day was Dec. 1. With that change and the changes going on with Economic Support consortia formation, Chris consulted with the DHHS director and the DHHS Board and decided to subcontract the Work Programs. A search was done for agencies who would be interested in taking this on. There were a couple of agencies interested. Each was asked to submit a proposal, and Forward Services was chosen. They were able to respond the quickest and had the best budget proposal. They began the subcontract as of Jan. 3. They are sending staff from other locations to cover 3 days per week at this time, and will provide full time staff once they hire and train someone.

Another change is in the director position. Ted Phernetton has taken a new job and his last day was Dec. 2. A replacement is hoped for by March.

Brian Wolfe of Forward Service Corp. (FSC) gave an overview of FSC. They currently are in 15 counties, mostly in Northeast WI. Many of these counties are rural. They also do FSET in many counties and do several other programs, including WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers in the Bay Area. They have about 100 employees and are the 2^nd largest W-2 provider in the state.

FSC will coordinate the Steering Committee meetings beginning with the next meeting in March. They will give some input as to the focus of the committee and what they have done in other areas of the state.

New W-2 Changes for 2012--Chris Machamer reported on the various changes that have gone into effect due to changes in the Biennial Budget. Changes have been made to CMC placements, being shortened from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. Payments for W2Ts and CSJs have decreased $20/month. Other changes to the operation of the program were reviewed also.

Caseload and Performance Standards Report—Chris Machamer gave a report on the current caseload levels. There are a total of 49 participants in the W2 program. The Performance Standards were reviewed and handouts given showing the current and past levels of each standard. The standards where we are currently at or above satisfactory level are Job Entry Rate, Customer Satisfaction, and Job Skills Rate. We are below satisfactory level in Earnings Stabilization and Educational Attainment. The SSI/SSDI Receipt Rate is also one where we are below the satisfactory level, but the state has acknowledged some issues with the data for this and it will probably be dropped as a standard.

Next meeting: March 14. Agenda suggestions include caseload trends and Performance Standards.

Meeting adjourned.

Recorded by:

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Chris Machamer Date

Approved by:

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Tony VanKampen, Chair Date