Heartland Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
October 22, 2013 7:30am
Heartland Workforce Solutions Center
5752 Ames Ave, Omaha NE 68104
Meeting Called to Order
Wendy Boyer, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Roll Call
Roll was called by Jim Hanson, Jr. and a quorum was established.
Members Present:
Wendy Boyer
Jessica McCormick
Connie Eichhorn
Othello Meadows
Jim Hanson, Jr.
Terry McMullen
Angela Jones
Members Absent:
Rod Anderson
Amy Christensen
Liz Cook
Deb Dinsmoor
Staff & Guests Present:
Justin Dougherty, Linda Kizzier, Regina Bell, Randy Parks, and Christine Aguilar– Goodwill Industries
Erin Porterfield, Shirley Carlson, Michael Phillips, Donna Knerr-HWS, Inc.
Notice of Publication
Adequate legal notice of this meeting was posted in the Omaha World Herald. Let the record reflect that
the notice was published in accordance with the open meeting law requirements and published in the Greater
Omaha area. A copy of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act is available at this meeting and can also be obtained
from the Board staff.
No one indicated a conflict of interest pertaining to the items on the agenda. No public comment cards
were submitted.
Approval of the Consent Agenda*
a. Approval Minutes of the September 24, 2013 Executive Committee Meeting
b. Approval of the Financial Reports for July and August 2013
Motion was made by Othello Meadows and seconded by Connie Eichhorn, to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented. The motion carried by roll call vote of those present and eligible to vote.
Approved:
Wendy Boyer
Connie Eichhorn
Jim Hanson, Jr.
Jessica McCormick
Jessica McCormick Othello Meadows
Terry McMullen
Financial Perspective
Wendy Boyer welcomed Michael Phillips back to Heartland Workforce Solutions, Inc. Michael went
over the July and August financials that were included in the packet, with a focus on cash flow and the affect
the government shutdown has had on HWS and what can be done to get through this period. There have been
problems requesting fund drawdowns on both sides coupled with the State delaying the transfer of the $110,000
that had been requested back in June. The transfer was completed on October 18th, and Michael will be doing
bi-weekly funding drawdowns from the State, to ensure cash flow stability and ability to pay Goodwill in a
timely manner. Debbie Kay Ward, NDOL Director of Financial Services, has been very helpful and is working
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closely with Erin and Michael. The Youth funds were available to HWS on July 1st, which is why the Youth
program has not been adversely affected. The Adult funds come in two increments during the year. The first
portion was allocated in July and the second was to be available October 1st, which turned out to be the first day
of the federal government shutdown. This caused added problems for the Adult program. The initial fund
distribution in July took a big hit with the sequestration cuts and the carry-in from PY12 was not sufficient to
cover the first quarter of bills. This was the primary reason for requesting the transfer of $110,000 last spring.
The Goodwill performance retainage money will be used to help offset costs of the Adult program.
Justin Dougherty, Goodwill Director of Workforce Services, reported that, on October 1st, Goodwill
stopped enrolling Adults into the WIA program and stopped offering all financial training and supportive
services (i.e. OJT, Tuition, OST payments, mileage reimbursement, emergency housing assistance, etc.). On
October 3rd, the government shutdown caused Goodwill to layoff three staff members, and, then on Oct 11th,
four additional staff members were furloughed while two other staff members took a reduction in work hours.
Justin also voiced his concerns of having only two staff members working with Adult participants. Trying to
reach out, coordinate, and still offer quality case management to all of them is challenging. Justin discussed the
potential impact this will have on Goodwill’s performance measures for Program Year 2013 4th quarter as well
as for Program Year 2014. He commented that “if you start out slow it is very hard to catch up”. The last day of
service determines the quarter in which the exit counts. Justin reported that the Youth program is operating as
usual, and so is the DLW program (even with only one Career Specialist). Goodwill will operate very
cautiously as there may be another sequestration and/or a rescission of funds. Justin stated they fully intend to
bring back the furloughed employees when the funding is restored.
HWS Strategy SessionWith so much uncertainty on federal funding, including a possible rescission and further reductions in
2014, discussion was held on what HWS would be like if there was no WIA program. Our vision remains: Full
employment for all drives economic growth and stability for Greater Omaha.
Listed below are some of the ideas from the discussions:
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Identify all of the workforce gaps (i.e. IT -technology) and come up with strategies to move forward so
that we will be more responsive, with more control.
Leverage local government for match money
Survey to find supply/demand in the job market-trends
Collective Impact-get business buy in –asking what their needs are
Get our message out to our businesses
Develop Elevator Speech
Help those with barriers to employment
We need a great Strategic Plan
Find companies who don’t do background checks to help with Re-entry positions
Should we be partnering with Omaha Public schools? –so many students not graduating
Several times the metaphor of HWS as a “Bridge” for the unemployed to employment was discussedwhat are the pieces to getting across that bridge?
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UNEMPLOYED
EMPLOYMENT
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50am.
Next Board & Executive Committee Meetings
HWS Board Meeting
Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7:30 a.m.
AJC- Heartland Workforce Solutions
Community Room
5752 Ames Ave. Omaha, NE 68104
HWS Executive Committee Meeting
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7:30 a.m.
AJC- Heartland Workforce Solutions
Sarpy Room
5752 Ames Ave. Omaha, NE 68104
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