CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
New reforms better prepare students for postsecondary
education and the workforce. TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush and Lt.
Governor Toni Jennings, joined by members of the Florida
Legislature, K-12 Public Schools Chancellor Cheri Yecke,
state officials, school administrators and teachers, today
announced reforms to middle and high schools. The new policies
provide students a more rigorous and relevant high school
education, better preparing them for postsecondary education
and the workforce. These proposals comprise Governor Bush’s
A++ Plan for Education and support many of the recommendations
made by the Florida State Board of Education’s High
School Reform Task Force. “It is never too early to
prepare students for the demands of college and the workforce.” said
Governor Bush. “Through the A++ Plan for Education,
we will build on our progress by offering Florida students
more choices, more opportunities and a more rigorous education.” In
1999, Governor Bush introduced the A+ Plan for Education,
a plan based on high standards and expectations, clear measurement
and accountability, and rewards and consequences for results.
Since then, the state has raised the bar on accountability
by providing remediation and eliminating social promotion,
making reading instruction a primary focus in elementary
years, providing reading coaches, using the latest in research-based
reading curriculum and setting higher standards in how schools
are graded.
“
I believe that government ought to be run more like a business
- and that means putting the customer first,” said
Senate President Tom Lee. “The Governor’s education
initiative does just that - by placing the emphasis on student’s
interests and their career goals rather than trying to run
everyone through a ‘one-size-fits-all’ system.” In
addition to the significant reforms proposed last year, Governor
Bush introduced the following recommendations related to
middle school and high school reform, career education and
workforce certification, reading and teacher retention:
Focus On Reading - Governor Bush and Florida’s leaders
recognize reading is the key to learning. Children who are
not reading at grade level by middle school and high school
need intensive instruction. In addition to the $189.9 million
Governor Bush recently recommended to fund reading initiatives,
the Governor also proposes:
- Automatically increasing funding
for reading each year by at least the same increase in
public
school funding.
- Providing intensive reading instruction
to middle and high school students reading below grade
level - levels
1 and
2 - on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
Building a Strong Middle School Foundation - A rigorous
curriculum in middle school builds the foundation for success
in high
school. To improve the quality of education for middle
school students, Governor Bush and Lt. Governor Jennings
recommend:
- Requiring middle school students to earn 12
credits - three credits each for language arts, math, science
and
social
studies - to graduate from middle school or enter high
school. To help all students achieve this requirement,
Governor Bush
is recommending intensive summer training for struggling
students in grades 5 through 9.
- Offering at least one course
- such as Algebra - for high school credit at all Florida
middle schools. Many
students
have the ability to excel beyond their grade’s current
curriculum, and schools should offer these students additional
opportunities.
- Providing middle school students greater
exposure to career opportunities. Encouraging career
exploration at
a younger
age provides an important incentive to work hard and
strive for greater academic achievement.
“
From the beginning, we all understood that solving our education
problems would be a long, complicated process without the
luxury of simple solutions or quick fixes,” said Florida
House Speaker Allan Bense. “However, under Governor
Bush’s leadership, we have made significant improvements
in education, particularly in the early grades, and we are
seeing dramatic results. The proposals being unveiled today
appropriately expand the focus to middle grades and high
school and, with these changes, I am confident we will see
even more evidence of success in the near future.” High School for the 21st Century - To better
prepare students for college and the workforce, Governor
Bush and Lt. Governor
Jennings are recommending sweeping high school reform, including
increased rigor in coursework and promotion and graduation
based on proficiency in the classroom. These recommendations
include:
? Offering students the opportunity to graduate with a major
or minor area of study - just as college students do - in
the arts, advanced studies or career preparation, after completing
a rigorous core curriculum.
? Revising Florida’s high school diploma to recognize
student performance through “Differentiated Levels
of Proficiency” in specific content areas. Students
meeting higher standards in honors courses, such as Advanced
Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, deserve
special recognition. The high school diploma should reflect
these accomplishments.
? Increasing the rigor of Florida’s high school requirements
to include four years of mathematics, including Algebra I
and geometry or equivalent courses.
? Providing an individualized computer-based high school
planning tool to all students to help set goals, derive paths
to accomplish these goals and track their progress. “
Real high school reform policies like these give students
better preparation and opportunities for their future,” said
Commissioner Winn. “By increasing the rigor of their
classes, recognizing and rewarding their achievement, and
encouraging them to take hold of their dreams, we create
a brighter path for their success.” A $20 Million Investment In The A++ Plan For Education -
To implement elements of the A++ reform package, Governor
Bush and Lt. Governor Jennings recommend a $20 million investment
to fund the following:
- $12 million for middle school and
high school reform, incentivizing the development of special
learning
communities and career
academies, assisting in the revision and upgrade in sunshine
standards and providing training to school districts on
new technology.
- $4.6 million to create a professional development
and
recognition program for principals.
- $2 million for math
and science research, establishing a Florida Center for
Math and Science Research to include
research-based professional development.
- $1.3 million
to expand the Department of Education’s
recruitment and retention initiatives.
Building An Educated, Skilled Workforce -
It is important to provide additional training for students
who choose to
enter the workforce after high school rather than pursue
higher education To ensure high school students have the
skills to successfully transition to the workforce, Governor
Bush and Lt. Governor Jennings recommend the creation of
a $50 million, multi-year “Ready to Work” certification
program. The program will create a job skill assessment-based
training and credentialing program for high school students
who choose to major in career and vocational programs. The
assessment will measure a student's readiness in certain
job skills, and allow the student to obtain an occupation-specific
credential that will provide employers with a clear, consistent
statewide standard of the job skills an individual possesses.
Administered by the Department of Education and the Agency
for Workforce Innovation, the program will be available in
secondary schools, community colleges, workforce education
programs, vocational rehabilitation centers, Department of
Juvenile Justice programs and at regional workforce boards. “The ‘Ready
to Work’ initiative is a comprehensive program designed
to address the workforce development needs of employees,
students and communities,” said Lt. Governor Jennings. “These
new measures will ensure our students have the skills necessary
to succeed in Florida’s growing and competitive marketplace.” Since
the introduction of Governor Bush’s A+ Plan for Education
in 1999, student achievement in Florida has been on the rise.
Today, more students than ever are reading on their own,
taking college entrance exams, graduating from high school
and earning college degrees.
- 71 percent of Florida’s fourth
graders, including twice as many African-American and Hispanic
children, are
reading at or above grade level, compared to only 51 percent
in 1999.
- According to the 2005 National Assessment of Educational
Progress, Florida again surpassed the national average
in fourth-grade reading and, for the first time, bettered
the
national average in fourth-grade mathematics.
- Since 1999,
the number of A schools has increased by more than 500
percent, with 1,254 schools earning an A
in 2005.
- The number of schools receiving an "A" or "B" jumped
from 21 to 66 percent since 1999.
- A record numbers of
Florida students took the SAT and ACT exams, with an
increase of minority test-takers. More
than
93,500 - 65 percent - of Florida's 2005 high school graduates
took the SAT. In addition, 58,000 of these students took
the ACT.
For more information regarding Florida’s high school
reform policies or the Governor’s A++ Plan for Education
visit www.myflorida.com www.fldoe.org.
[SEE RELATED ARTICLE BELOW]
In support of Governor
Bush’s A++ Plan for
Education . . . . .
- “Once again, Governor Bush is
demonstrating visionary leadership and proposing innovative
methods to improve on
the A+ education program,” said Speaker Designate
Marco Rubio. When it comes to education, his proposal recognizes
that the only way for Florida to have great schools is
to
challenge students. At the same time he knows that we must
give teachers and students the tools they need to reach
those goals.”
- "Since 1988, education in Florida has been under an
evolutionary process toward progress and high student achievement,” said
Representative Rafael Arza, Chairman, House Pre
K-12 Education Committee. “The last two aspects of education reform
in Florida deal with middle and high school reform. This
proposed legislation by the governor addresses 2 areas
of critical need in our state and throughout America, and
I
believe that this will be national trend-setting legislation.
We will not settle for low student achievement, we will
not settle for low graduation rates. Florida will lead
the country
in educational reform."
- "A++ is an important step in the process of improving
education in middle school and high school,” said
Representative Dennis Baxley, Chairman, House Education
Council. “Governor
Bush has been a great leader in education reform and this
is the next big step."
- “The “Ready to work” initiative is the
perfect combination of what students want and prospective
employers need. It is an intensive work skills initiative
that allows students whose future is in the skilled workforce,
not a four year university, to master the work skills they
need to be successful in the workplace and couples it with
a “common language” assessment tool that is
meaningful to employers,” said Representative
Joe Pickens, Chairman, House Education Appropriations Committee. “The
end result is a trained workforce with skill sets and credentials
that have relevance to both employees and potential employers.”
- "The Ready to Work Certification Initiative will give
Florida's students something of value to help them enter
the workforce,” said Representative Pat Patterson. “As
a result of this tremendous initiative, Florida's students
will be better prepared to take their chosen career paths
by storm. This program will provide invaluable benefits
to Florida's students, as well as Florida's business community."
- "The middle and high school reforms encompassed in
the A++ legislation strive to ensure that Florida's students
are best prepared for life post-graduation,” said
Representative John Stargel. “These innovative programs
will ensure that our students have unlimited options available
to them,
as well as the greatest possible chances for success in
their future endeavors."
- “Middle and high school reform is the next step in
improving education in Florida,” said Senator
Evelyn Lynn. “By increasing course rigor and demonstrating
relevance to the real world, our student’s will be
challenged and better prepared for our increasingly competitive
world.”
- “One of the biggest challenges for Florida’s
businesses is finding potential employees who are prepared
for today’s job market,” said Florida
Chamber of Commerce President Frank Ryll, Jr. “Our state’s
economic future relies on a strong and highly-skilled workforce.
The “Ready to Work” initiative will help provide
businesses with entry-ready employees who possess the necessary
job skills to succeed on the job.”
- “This is an excellent example of connecting the
workforce system’s demand side with the education
system’s
supply side", said Curtis Austin, President
of Workforce Florida, Inc. “The result is a winning proposition
for businesses who need access to a highly qualified workforce.”
- "Ready to Work will help Florida employers tap into
skilled workers that are tailor-fitted to their business
needs," said Katherine E. Wilson, Chair of
the Workforce Florida Board of Directors. "As a business person,
I am excited about this opportunity and see it as a valuable
resource for Florida’s business community."
- “As an economic development tool, Ready to Work will
ensure business recruiters that there is a ready and qualified
workforce in Florida that is in step with their specific
skill requirements,” said Susan Pareigis,
Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. “Employers
can be assured that the job candidates we refer are truly
ready to work.”
Scripps moving to Abacoa/Briger site (from 1000 Friends
of Florida email alert). Early this afternoon, the Palm Beach
County Commission voted 4 to 3 to relocate the proposed Scripps
Biomedical Research Institute from the remote Mecca Farms
site to the Briger/Abacoa site favored by 1000 Friends and
other smart growth advocates. "We commend the Commission
for its wise decision," noted Executive Director Charles
Pattison. "We truly believe this site-closer to existing
development and infrastructure--makes the most sense for
everyone involved." Pattison notes that 1000 Friends
pledges to work with Scripps, the County and other parties
to make the Abacoa/Briger campus a model of smart growth. "We
also commit to work with the county to find an appropriate
use for the Mecca Farms site." For more information
on the county's vote, read:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/
epaper/2006/02/14/0214scripps.html.
The Nation
CQ Today Midday Update – Wednesday, February
14, 2006, 2:16 pm.
House: Considers several measures under suspension of the rules,
including a resolution (H Con Res 322) recognizing the contributions
of the USO.
Senate: Moves toward appointment of conferees on the fiscal
2006 tax reconciliation bill (HR 4297). Considers a bill (S
852) that would establish a trust fund to compensate asbestos
victims. Votes expected throughout the day.
The President: Greets 2005 NCAA football champion Texas Longhorns
at the White House; meets with the President’s Council
on Service and Civic Participation. In the evening, attends
Valentine’s Day social dinner with Mrs. Bush.
Highlights:
- Senate Clears Way for Conference on Tax Cut Bill
- Asbestos
Bill Faces Critical Senate Votes, With No Second Chances
Allowed
- Senate Agriculture Chairman Warns Next Farm Bill
Will Be Leaner
- Hackett Withdraws From Ohio Senate Race,
Citing Democratic Party Pressures
Access the full stories at: www.cq.com Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects federal
budget. The CBO recently provided 10-year projections of the federal
budget. Budget projections give the Congress a baseline against
which to measure the effects of proposed changes in tax and
spending laws. The projections start with the Congress's most
recent budgetary decisions and show what would happen to the
federal budget if no policy changes were made over the projection
period. Please see this link for more information. http://ftp.cbo.gov/budget/budproj.shtml.
SBA approves over $1 Billion in Disaster Loans to
businesses affected by 2005 hurricanes. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business
Administration has approved $1.05 billion in low-interest disaster
loans to 12,455 Gulf Coast and Florida businesses that survived
the devastating 2005 hurricanes. “The SBA remains strongly
committed to helping businesses recover and rebuild. Disaster
assistance to survivors of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes remains
our top priority,” said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. “These
businesses will lay the foundation for a renewed economic base
in the affected region. This is now the largest disaster response
in the SBA's 52-year history and we will stay on the ground
until our job is complete,” he said. There are two types
of disaster loans designed for businesses. A business of any
size may obtain loans to finance the reconstruction of business
that has been physically damaged. Small businesses may receive
an economic injury disaster loan if they have been economically
impacted by a disaster. Overall, the SBA has approved nearly
60,800 loans for $4.3 billion to homeowners, renters and businesses
in the declared disaster area, surpassing what was previously
the largest response to date, the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
In addition, decisions have been rendered on over 57 percent
of all loan applications, and damage inspections have been
conducted on nearly 244,900 properties. The SBA has already
processed almost 97 percent of the disaster applications for
economic injury disaster loans. More than 214,000 loan applications
have been processed; disbursements have been made in 38 percent
of the approved loans. More than 1,900 loans totaling $369
million have been made to small businesses in the affected
areas through the SBA's two regular (non-disaster) business
loan programs. The first is the 7(a) general business loan
guarantee program. The other is the 504, Certified Development
Company loan program used for financing fixed assets. For more
information on the SBA’s disaster assistance programs,
visit: http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/hurricanes/.
Hurricane victims have more time to claim losses on
prior year returns. WASHINGTON — Victims of Hurricanes Katrina,
Rita or Wilma wishing to claim disaster-related losses on their
prior year federal income tax return will have until October
16, 2006, to make this choice, the Internal Revenue Service
announced last Friday. Taxpayers suffering disaster-related
losses in certain areas of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas due to the hurricanes can choose to claim those losses
on their current or prior year return. The original deadline
for choosing this option is the due date of the taxpayer’s
current year return. For example, individuals wishing to claim
disaster-related losses on their 2004 federal income tax return
instead of their 2005 return will have an extra six months,
until October 16, 2006, to make this choice. The original deadline
for individuals choosing this option was April 17, 2006.
To speed processing of these claims, taxpayers should write
the name of the hurricane in red at the top of their return.
Those who have already filed their prior year return can make
this choice by filing an amended return (Form 1040X for individuals).
An explanation of the liberalized disaster loss rules and special
instructions for claiming these losses can be found in Publication
4492, Information for Taxpayers Affected by Hurricanes Katrina,
Rita, and Wilma. This publication, along with other disaster-related
information, is available on IRS.gov or can be obtained by
calling the special IRS disaster hotline toll-free at 1-866-562-5227.
Today’s announcement does not affect the regular tax-filing
deadlines for either 2004 or 2005 federal income tax returns.
Technical guidance will be available soon in Notice 2006-17,
which will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006-10. For
more information go to: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=147085,00.html.
NASWA Workforce Bulletin Headlines – February
10, 2006:
- ADMINISTRATION'S FY 2007 BUDGET REQUEST
PROPOSES CUTS TO WORKFORCE SYSTEM AND NEW REFORMS
- SECRETARY
CHAO TO TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE PANEL ON USDOL FY 2007 BUDGET
REQUEST
- NASWA REQUESTS STATE INPUT ON FY 2006 APPROPRIATIONS
- ETA RELEASES CLARIFICATION GUIDANCE ON TAA AND NAFTA-TAA
- NASWA WEBSITE DOWN BRIEFLY ON FEBRUARY 11
- NASWA WINTER
POLICY FORUM
For the complete stories go to: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/bulltemp.cfm?
results_art_filename=bu021006.htm.
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
Workforce Florida releases RFP: “Workforce Education
Cluster Center for Biotechnology” (REPEAT). This Request
for Proposals is seeking innovative proposals from public
and private postsecondary vocational training providers or
other educational institutions for the development of a state-of-the-art,
industry-driven training center. It is important that prospective
respondents understand that it is not the intent of this
solicitation to utilize exclusively an existing biotechnology
program but rather to augment existing programs through the
utilization of biotech curricula Workforce Florida, Inc.
(WFI) has already acquired or expansion/modification of that
WFI-acquired curricula based on industry needs. Clearly,
it is not WFI’s intent to merely utilize or expand
existing programs. The intent of this initiative is the implementation
of a process that can build upon existing programs but must
utilize WFI’s curricula and must incorporate an extensive
process of obtaining industry input. DO NOT presume that,
since you may have obtained industry input to develop the
programs that you currently offer, that effort satisfies
the intent of this RFP relative to involving businesses within
the industry in the formation of this cluster center. WFI
will accept proposals from Florida public or licensed private
educational or vocational training providers ONLY. The following
organizations are therefore eligible to submit proposals:
- Florida school districts or school
district technical centers; or,
- Florida private vocational
schools that have a current license issued by the Commission
on Independent Education;
or,
- Florida community colleges; or,
- Florida public universities;
or,
- Florida private colleges and universities.
DEADLINE for receipt of proposals: March
8, 2006 5:00 PM, Eastern. For the complete RFP go to: http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/rfp/index.htm#requests.
Contact person: Mike Johnson, WFI via email mjohnson@workforceflorida.com.
State Grants (none)
Federal Grants
Community Action for a Renewed Environment (Care) Program
FY 2006 Public Awareness in Underserved Communities
SSA Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach Program
Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) Program
(Repeat)
FY 2006 Food Stamp Outreach Grant Competition (Repeat)
Foundation Grants
(none)
Scholarships/Awards
2006 ETA Recognition of Excellence Awards (Repeat)
Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:
For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website.
February 15, 2006
Executive Directors Meeting (Partners Meeting)
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center - Jacksonville
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
February 16, 2006
Workforce Florida Board of Directors & Council Meetings
Council/Committee Meetings 10:00am – 12:00pm
Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 – 4:00pm
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center - Jacksonville
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
February 15, 2006
Webinar: The Geospatial Industry - An Overview
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern (1pm/Central, 12pm/Mountain,
11am/Pacific)
NEW! This Webinar provides an overview of the geospatial technology
industry and sectors, key occupations and career opportunities,
skills and education, key workforce challenges, and the investments
that ETA has made to address those challenges. Moderator: Brad
Wiggins, Business Relations Group, ETA, DOL. Presenters: Mary
Ann Stewart, Project Manager, Geospatial Information & Technology
Association; Doug Richardson, Executive Director, Association
of American Geographers; Cyndi Gaudet, Director of the Jack & Patti
Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute, University
of Southern Mississippi; Chuck Thomas, President, William F.
Goodling Advanced Skills Center. Registration for this Webinar
is limited and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Login to Workforce3 One and register:
http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=87.
SEE BELOW FOR GITA's Annual Conference 29 to be held April
23-26, 2006 in Tampa.
February 22 – 23, 2006
FMCRC 2006 Minority Community Economic Development Summit
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Clearwater, FL
NEW! SUMMIT PANEL SESSION HIGHLIGHT: Workforce Florida Roundtable.
The President of Workforce Florida Mr. Curtis Austin heads
a roundtable that will focus on strategies for the development
of minority organizations to better Access funding opportunities
with Workforce Florida and Regional Workforce Boards. Limited
free hotel rooms for nonprofits left. Fill out registration/room
request. For registration and agenda for FMCRC summit go to:
http://www.simplesend.com/clientimages/fmcrc/revisedjan23SummitWebRegistration06.pdf.
February 23, 2006
Getting to Work by Transit: Luxury or Necessity?
Live On-line Event
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET
NEW! The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) “New
Starts” program is the federal government’s primary
financial resource for supporting locally planned, implemented
and operated major transit capital investments. New Starts,
and its compliment program, Small Starts, fund new systems
and extensions to existing systems in every area of the country,
including commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid
transit, trolleys and ferries. In early 2006, FTA will collect
comments from stakeholders to help them develop regulations
that will guide its evaluation process for new transit projects.
To date, the interests of low-income individuals have been
poorly represented in the rule-making process. Transportation
equity must be a consideration in the use of this massive stream
of public funds. Location to transit is a key element of smart
growth strategies and Enterprise’s Green Communities
Initiative. Some of the criteria currently under consideration
by the FTA could effectively bar the creation of transit stops
and systems in the very places it is desperately needed. It
could have a negative impact on initiatives that aim to provide
affordable housing close to transit or create mixed-income
communities around TOD. Why should affordable housing advocates
and developers care about a transportation issue? Transit-oriented
development (TOD) has significant impacts on and for low-income
communities. Household transportation costs are second only
to housing costs…and in some communities actually exceed
housing costs. TOD that considers the needs of the low-income
community can provide access to jobs, child care, and economic
independence. The regulations the FTA uses to govern how transit
projects will be funded will have a dramatic impact on how
transit is provided in low-income communities. Discover how
FTA’s New Starts regulations impacts low-income communities.
Learn how to offer input to the proposed FTA regulations. For
more information go to: http://www.enterprisefoundation.org/resources/trainingconf/training/elearning/events.asp.
February 27 - March 1, 2006
NASWA Winter Policy Forum 2006
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, D.C.
The Forum includes stimulating policy discussions,
as well as vendor exhibits on emerging services and technologies.
State Workforce Agencies are encouraged to inform contractors/vendors
of exhibit opportunities - they will have an opportunity to
introduce their companies' products and services in a "Two-Minute
Drill" during the opening plenary session. Exhibits will
be open throughout the conference in an area that also features
refreshments for conference attendees during session breaks
and an evening reception. Sponsors also will be able to gain
recognition at several levels by supporting one or more meal
functions. Please encourage vendors you work with to take advantage
of these opportunities as soon as possible as space is limited.
The deadline for hotel reservations and early bird conference
registration and exhibitor registration is February 3, 2006.
Exhibit space will be granted on a first-come basis. For additional
information visit the Workforce ATM niche site at: http://www.workforceatm.org/wpforum06/index04.cfm.
Please contact Nina Bustria at nbustria@naswa.org or at 202.434.8020
with any questions.
March 1-3, 2006
Front Porch Florida 2006 Redevelopment Conference
Orlando, Florida
NEW! The Office of Urban Opportunity is hosting its 2006 Front
Porch Florida Redevelopment Conference in an effort to stimulate
economic development activities in areas that need severe revitalization
and redevelopment. The purpose of this conference is to bring
together stakeholders that are willing to address the challenges
associated with blighted areas such as housing, local businesses,
workforce training and education and other redevelopment issues.
For more information please visit: http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fpf/Conference/index.cfm.
March 2, 2006
Veterans’ Roundtable
Workforce Florida Offices
Tallahassee, FL
NEW! If you are unable to attend in person you may participate
via teleconference by calling 850-410-0961 or SUNCOM 210-0961.
Access the agenda at: http://www.floridajobs.org/pdg/Memos/Vets_Roundtable_agnda020906.pdf.
For more information contact Mitch Collier at: Mitch.Collier@awi.state.fl.us.
March 16, 2006
CLM Workforce Connection’s Second Annual Workforce Conference:
Global Challenges to HR & Workforce Strategies
CFCC, Klein Conference Center – Ocala
8:30 am - 10:30 am
NEW! Featuring: Timothy Jahnke, Group President-Newell Rubbermaid,
Home and Family Products Group. Registration cost: $20.00 per
person – breakfast included. Presented in collaboration
with our workforce partners:
- Central Florida Community College
- Citrus
County Economic Development Council
- Nature Coast Business
Development Council
- Ocala/Marion County Economic Development
Corporation
RSVP by March 9, 2006. Contact: Val Kelly at 352-873-7939
ext. 203. April 3, 2006
Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance’s 2nd Annual Professional
Career Expo
“ Opening Doors: The Right Job/The Right Talent”
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center
The expo will offer professionals with four-year degrees
plus minimum two years experience in their field a chance to
meet and interview with more than 40 area employers and feature
innovative workshop presentations on how to prepare for and
compete in the workforce. Jeff Taylor, founder of well-known
job search engine Monster.com will be the featured keynote
speaker. For more information, visit www.workforcetampa.com or call 813-740-4680 x 237.
April 19 – 21, 2006.
2006 Annual Conference Florida Association of Partners
in Education
Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village
NEW! Florida Association of Partners in Education Conference
is presented each spring. The conference is packed with
cutting-edge ideas and new programs. Keynote speakers
bring the most up-to-date information that will both
inform and entertain. More than 800 conference attendees
representing the volunteer sector from business, community,
government and schools focus on the positive impact community
involvement initiatives can have on education and student
achievement. The Florida Commissioner of Education’s
Business Recognition Awards is a special addition to
Florida Association of Partners in Education Conference.
This highly prestigious event recognizes honored businesses
and organizations throughout Florida for exemplary partnership
involvement. One of the highlights of the conference
is the recognition of Florida's Outstanding Volunteers.
Students, parents, grandparents and business partners,
representing their regions, will be among those individuals
honored for their contribution to education in the state
of Florida. For more information or to register go to:
http://www.flpie.net/.
April 23-26, 2006
GITA's Annual Conference 29
No Barriers: Connected. Responsive. Prepared
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida USA
It's the premier geospatial event of the year! GITA’s
Annual Conference and Exhibition is the most highly regarded
educational event for professionals involved in geospatial
information technologies. Annual Conference 29 will provide
you with better ways to plan, design, manage, and maintain
your geospatial systems and operations. This prestigious event
will present an exciting technical program, including one-and-a-half
days of in-depth seminars followed by two-and-a-half days of
educational sessions. This year's conference theme, No Barriers:
Connected. Responsive. Prepared. — reflects the fact
that professionals in geospatial technology must respond to
growing business needs to prepare for dynamic situations. Preconference
seminars will offer attendees the opportunity to concentrate
on some key issues that are critical to successful project
planning and implementation. Annual Conference 29 will feature
12 half-day seminars, beginning on Sunday morning and concluding
on Monday. Who Should Attend: Anyone who is interested in using
geospatial information technologies is invited to attend. Discussion
topics involve geographic information systems (GIS), information
technology (IT), mobile and field computing, supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA), network operations management,
work management systems, enterprise application integration,
critical infrastructure protection, and other related technologies.
The conference program will address topics of interest to executives
and managers in government agencies; electric, gas, and water/wastewater
utilities; telecommunications companies; pipeline companies;
the public sector; and other organizations interested in using
geospatial information to enhance their bottom line. Download
the Official Conference Program at: http://www.gita.org/events/annual/29/Program.pdf.
May 15-16, 2006
Rural Tourism and Economic Development Summit
Gainesville, Florida
This event seeks to unite tourism and economic
development officials to improve quality of life in Rural Florida.
Topics
include:
- Best practices and real world success stories
of both tourism and development
- Using technology to advance
tourism and development in rural Florida
- Ways to implement
the Enterprise Florida “7-point
Plan for Rural Florida.”
For more information, go to www.ncfrpc.org [Click on “Upcoming
Events” and then “Rural Tourism and Economic Development
Summit May 2006”] or call Jayne Moraski 352-955-2200
x.106 or via email moraski@ncfrpc.org.
June 2-4, 2006
The 8th Annual Family Café Conference
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
NEW! The Department of Education is proud to support the 8th
Annual Family Café Conference and Governor’s Summit
on Disabilities as part of our commitment to provide a quality
education to all students. During the annual three-day conference,
individuals with disabilities and special health care needs
and their families have an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge,
to interact with state agencies’ representatives and
private providers, and to expand their network of supports.
Pre-conference registration for the 8th Annual Family Café Conference
will begin on February 14, 2006. There is no conference registration
fee. Limited financial assistance will be provided to families
by Family Café. The financial assistance funds through
Family Café are available on a first-come, first-serve
basis, and have historically been exhausted soon after registration
opens. Therefore, we encourage districts to make families of
students with disabilities aware of the pre-conference registration
and financial assistance as soon as possible. We also encourage
you to financially support families to attend the 8th Annual
Family Café Conference through the use of discretionary
grants. As part of the conference, Governor Jeb Bush will speak
at the 8th Annual Governor’s Summit on Disabilities on
Friday, June 2, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Participants
may either register online at www.familycafe.net or call the
Family Café office at 1-888-309-2233 to request a registration
brochure be mailed. Pre-registration ends on March 31, 2006.
USDOL’s Workforce Tools of the Trade Workforce Investment
Systemwide Events Page. http://www.workforcetools.org/calendar.asp
Odds and Ends
An Exodus That Hurts the U.S. (by Todd Henneman, Workforce
Management, January 30, 2006, pp. 46-50). The business community
has been slow to react to restrictive visa polices and overseas
entities' aggressive pursuit of top-tier workers. The talent
drain could threaten US innovation. Economist Richard Florida
begins his book The Flight of the Creative Class with the
story of Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson, whose The
Lord of the Rings trilogy earned more than $3.75 billion
worldwide. Jackson bought an abandoned paint factory in Wellington,
New Zealand, and transformed it into a high-tech filmmaking
facility where dozens of transplanted Americans work with
expatriates from Europe and Asia. "In an industry synonymous
with America’s international economic and cultural
might, film production, the greatest project in recent cinematic
history was internationally funded and crafted by the best
filmmakers from around the world," Florida writes. "But
not in Hollywood." Hollywood isn’t the only industry
losing intellectual capital to other countries. In his new
book, Flight Capital, globalization scholar David Heenan
tells of superstars like Ana Maria Salazar, an Arizona native
who in 2000 left her job at the Pentagon to join a think
tank in Mexico City and now hosts an English-language radio
news program. It all points to what could be an ominous trend
for domestic organizations: top-tier talent leaving the Land
of Opportunity for a new Promised Land. They’re driven
away by forces that, left unchallenged, could lead to a migration
of American-born talent. "Forget terrorism and weapons
of mass destruction," writes Heenan, a former Citigroup
executive. "The next global war will be fought over
human capital." This phenomenon could leave companies
short on specialized talent, experts say, and may mean that
executives should reassess their recruitment, location assignments
and governmental lobbying strategies. For the complete article
go to: http://www.workforce.com/section/06/feature/24/27/20/index.html.
From Southern Compass -- February 14, 2006:
- Study analyzes African American representation
in high tech jobs from 1990-2000. According to the 2000 Census,
African Americans represented only 6.7 percent of computer
science professionals, 3.9 percent of engineers, and
7.5 percent of engineering and science technicians (African
Americans represented 11.8 percent of the population
in
2000). The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
has produced a study that analyzes African Americans
and high-tech job trends from 1990 to 2000. The report
states, "In
the final analysis, although education may not be the
only factor contributing to the under-representation of
blacks
in high-tech jobs, any strategy that hopes to redress
the situation must include education as a key component." The
report ends with the identification of nine pre-college
programs that have demonstrated results. See the report
at: http://www.jointcenter.org/publications1/NewConrad/NewConradJAN2006.pdf.
- New flexibility in building codes fueling community
revitalization. Recent flexibility in the application of
building codes
is playing a significant role in encouraging the rehabilitation
of structures that once would have remained neglected
or abandoned, says a new report entitled Breaking the Codes.
New Jersey set the stage with the 1998 adoption of a
rehab
code that no longer required the rehabilitation of existing
buildings to meet the same standards as new construction.
The report reflects on New Jersey's experience, as well
as
those of other early pioneers - including North Carolina.
Download the report at: http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/pdf/breaking%20the%20codes.pdf.
Free Business Value Assessment Toolkit (from Workforce3
One February Newsletter). Many workforce development programs
have long found it challenging to determine the value of
their workforce programs in terms of time, money and other
results that are important to business customers. A new toolkit
is available from Workforce Strategies Initiative (WSI) to
help practitioners and their employer partners to assess
the business value of their workforce services. WSI is a
project of the Aspen Institute. The Business Value Assessment
toolkit includes a planning handbook, an automated Excel
file for tracking specific business value outcomes, and basic
guidelines for using questionnaires to assess business value
outcomes. Developed in manufacturing and health care workplaces,
the Business Value Assessment toolkit is adaptable and can
be applied to a variety of workforce development services,
settings and industries. The toolkit was developed in cooperation
with a working group of nine sectoral workforce development
programs and their business customers, who formulated and
tested the methodology in real-life assessments in manufacturing
and health care workplaces. The handbook has practical step-by-step
guidelines and planning aids for defining the services and
outcomes to be evaluated, and for planning appropriate and
practical assessment methods.
The Excel tool is a package of forms for data entry and tracking,
and reports that calculate and monetize practical business
value outcome indicators such as retention, turnover cost-benefit
analysis, productivity and efficiency outcomes, and other
customizable workforce quality indicators. The Business Value
Assessment Toolkit is primarily aimed at workforce program
staff and management. The toolkit is ideally suited for workforce
development initiatives that have well-established working
relationships with businesses. Both the workforce services
provider and the business client should have the capacity
and commitment to participate in Business Value Assessment
of workforce services. The toolkit includes tools and guidance
that help users decide which workforce programs are at the
right point for a Business Value Assessment. While the toolkit
is aimed at workforce program practitioners, public officials,
members of the business community, policy makers, funders
and other training and workforce professionals will find
the information and materials useful. The Business Value
Assessment toolkit is free. To download the toolkit, go to:
http://www.aspenwsi.org/BVAToolkit.asp.
The Federal Government is assessing all programs
to make sure they are working well for the American people. The content
on ExpectMore.gov is developed by the U.S. Office of Management
and Budget and Federal agencies. Together, the two agencies
assess the performance of every Federal program and hold
themselves accountable for improvement. The Federal Government
wants programs to work. It is assessing all programs to make
sure they are working well for the American people. The assessment
tool is a standard questionnaire called the Program Assessment
Rating Tool, or PART, for short. The PART asks approximately
25 important, yet common sense, questions about a program's
performance and management. For each question, there is a
short answer and a detailed explanation with supporting evidence.
The answers determine a program's overall rating. The program
rating indicates how well a program is performing, so the
public can see how effectively tax dollars are being spent.
Once each assessment is completed, a program improvement
plan is developed for follow up to improve the program's
performance. Search by program name (e.g. Workforce Investment
Act), keyword or topic. www.ExpectMore.gov.
Get your free copy of the 2006 Consumer Action Handbook
today! Just off the press! Sign up today to receive the first
available copies of the 2006 Consumer Action Handbook. This
everyday guide to being a smart shopper is chocked full of
helpful tips about buying a car or home, preventing identity
theft, understanding credit, resolving problems after a purchase,
and much more. In the 2006 edition, you’ll find new
information about Medicare prescription drug plans, free
credit reports, and digital TV. And as always, there’s
an updated list of addresses, phone numbers, and websites
for corporate consumer affairs offices, BBBs, state and local
government listings, national consumer organizations, Federal
agencies, and others who can help. To learn more and sign
up go to: http://consumeraction.gov/index.shtml.
InDemand Magazine —Connecting today's students with
the careers of tomorrow. Each issue will explore careers
in a different high growth industry. It will provide students
as well as guidance counselors, parents and teachers with
interesting and relevant information about career opportunities,
education and the skills needed for various jobs. It offers
resources to explore careers and tips about how to help students
build successful futures. There are opportunities for young
people with all kinds of interests from art to math, from
sports to science, and from design occupations to the trades.
This magazine will give you an introduction to the different
career paths in construction, and it will introduce you to
young professionals who have chosen those careers. http://www.careervoyages.gov/indemandmagazine-main.cfm.
The National O*NET® Consortium. The National O*NET Consortium
was organized to accomplish the development of O*NET and
its related products for the US Department of Labor, Employment
and Training Administration (ETA). The Consortium currently
comprises the O*NET Management Partnership and the National
O*NET Support Group, but is expected to expand in the future
to include a number of technical and user advisory groups.
At the National O*NETTM Consortium website you will find
news and information about the O*NET program. This site is
your source for O*NET products, including reports, career
exploration tools, and the O*NET database. Check out what’s
new at: http://www.onetcenter.org/whatsnew.html. Quote for the Week:
"Nothing
takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited
love."
Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000)
Charlie Brown in "Peanuts"
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