CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
Florida’s First Financial Fitness Friday is this Friday – don’t
forget to call or email your questions! On April 21 — Florida’s
First Financial Fitness Friday — Florida Institute
of CPAs (FICPA) members across the state will be available
to the public for guidance on conducting an annual financial “fitness” checkup
and to answer basic financial questions. Florida residents
will be able to “ask an expert” free of charge
by calling the FICPA Financial Fitness Hotline at (800) 342-3197,
Ext. 554, or posting a question via an electronic form on
the FICPA Web site. CPA volunteers will take calls and respond
to questions from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. “Florida’s
First Financial Fitness Friday is a great way to give back
to our communities,” says Ken Strauss, FICPA Financial
Literacy Task Force Chair. “We encourage everyone to
complete a financial fitness check up at least once a year.
By providing callers access to CPAs free of charge one day
a year, we can help people who need a little guidance and
reach out to members of our communities who otherwise might
not have an opportunity to talk with a CPA.” The Task
Force has created an annual check list of the top ten ways
to stay financially fit. This list and other financial resources
are available to the public on the FICPA Web site. FICPA
member-volunteers are answering a critical need of Floridians
for financial education through events such as Florida’s
First Financial Fitness Friday and financial literacy presentations
at colleges and civic organizations. According to a 2004
survey of Floridians released by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research,
Inc.:
- More than one-third of respondents
had more debt than savings or investments
- About 25 percent
put nothing aside each month for retirement, while another
25 percent waited until they were in their
40s or 50s
- Almost 1 in 5 reported having suffered a
financial crisis due to medical expenses, a job loss
or a divorce
- More than 80 percent had credit cards and
more than 50 percent reported debt levels ranging from
$2,000
to $20,000
Florida’s First Financial Fitness Friday is an outreach
event of “360 Degrees of Financial Literacy,” a
joint FICPA and American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) initiative
to educate the public about financial responsibility. “360
Degrees of Financial Literacy” is a multifaceted program
that equips CPAs to take a broad leadership role in educating
the public — from schoolchildren to retirees — about
sound financial practices that apply to their particular
life stages. To access the “ask an expert” online
form go to: http://www1.ficpa.org/%7b36F1430B-249C-43BB-93B8-8D572BC30FE3%7d.
To learn more about FICPA go to www.ficpa.org.
Florida's
high-tech jobs on rise (St. Pete Times - By DAVE
GUSSOW, Times Staff Writer, Published April 19, 2006). Florida
gained 6,700 high-tech jobs in 2004, the second-best showing
by a state, says a report to be released today by a high-tech
trade association. The rebound reversed a 2003 job loss,
part of a lingering national slump after the tech bubble
burst, according to the AeA Cyberstates report. Other than
the jump in jobs, the picture for the Sunshine State looked
familiar to previous reports. Florida maintained its No.
4 ranking among the states for tech employment with 265,500
jobs, behind California, Texas and New York. The numbers
are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally,
high-tech employment was up 1 percent in 2005, or 61,100
out of 5.6-million workers, according to the report. Other
findings include: With 66,000 telecommunications job, Florida
ranked No. 3. Computer system design and related services
account for 51,800 jobs, and engineering accounts for an
additional 50,000. The average high-tech wage was $58,929,
which is 30th among states. It's higher than the state average
of $34,438 for all jobs, but well below the national tech
average of $72,440. Florida came in 12th for venture capital
investments, but 41st in per capita research and development
spending. [see related article in the “Odds & Ends” section
below] The Nation
CQ Today Midday Update – Wednesday, April 19,
2006, 2:15p.m.
Today in Washington:
House: Not in session. Reconvenes at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April
25.
Senate: Not in session. Reconvenes at 2 p.m., Monday, April
24.
The President: Appeared at a news conference where White House
Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced his resignation;
delivered remarks in the Rose Garden on Iraq and terrorism;
travels to Tuskegee, Ala., where he tours the Tuskegee Center
for Advanced Materials, participates in a nanotechnology research
demonstration, and speaks on the American Competitiveness Initiative
at Tuskegee University.
In Washington: Several consulting and pharmaceutical companies
sponsor the 3rd Annual World Health Care Congress. Today’s
highlights include a session on the impact of health care costs
on the U.S. economy, with Treasury Secretary John W. Snow,
and an in-depth review of the Bush administration’s health
reform plan, with National Economic Council Director Allan
Hubbard. Snow: 2:30 p.m.; Hubbard: 3:10 p.m., Marriott Wardman
Park, 2660 Woodley Rd. N.W.
Headlines:
- Texas Court Decision Represents Victory
for DeLay
- McClellan Resigns as White House Shakeup Continues
- Massachusetts
Lawmakers Protest LNG Terminal
Access the full stories at: www.cq.com. College Students with Disabilities Ready for Summer
and Full-time Employment - Labor Department Releases Free
Database on CD.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Newswire - infoZine - The U.S. Department
of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is
now offering a free database of 1,900 qualified college students
and recent graduates with disabilities who seek summer and
full-time employment. This CD-ROM database can be used by employers
to search from a pool of pre-screened applicants from over
45 states and territories who have skills in disciplines ranging
from computer sciences and business to communications, engineering,
office administration and more. "The Workforce Recruitment
Program (WRP) is an excellent resource of well-educated and
highly skilled job candidates for employers to choose from," said
Dr. W. Roy Grizzard Jr., assistant secretary for disability
employment policy. "The program also offers an opportunity
for college students and graduates with disabilities to contribute
their talents to organizations large and small." ODEP,
in cooperation with the Department of Defense, is offering
the database of job seekers through its Workforce Recruitment
Program. The program also fulfills President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative pledge to promote employment opportunities for people
with disabilities throughout the nation. Information about
WRP is available by visiting the Workforce Recruitment Program
at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/employer/recruit_and_hire/recruitment.htm or by calling 202- 693-7880. To request a free copy of the
entire WRP database on CD-ROM, send your name, company name
and mailing address to wrp@dol.gov.wrp at dol dot gov. The
Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network (EARN) is available
for employers who have job vacancies and are actively looking
to find and recruit qualified workers with disabilities in
their localities. EARN is also able to provide support, technical
assistance and employee screening for the WRP database CD-ROM.
EARN can be reached at 1-866-Earn Now (1-866-327-6669) or by
clicking on Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network at:
http://www.dol.gov/odep/categories/employer/recruit_and_hire/recruitment.htm.
More information about ODEP can be found at its Web site at
www.dol.gov/odep , and a cross-governmental portal of comprehensive
disability-related information can be found at www.DisabilityInfo.gov.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) last week
released the following Letter Reports: Small Business Innovation
Research:
Information on Awards Made by NIH and DoD in Fiscal Years 2002
through 2004. For the full report, GAO-06-565, April 14 go
to: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-565. For Highlights
go to: http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06565high.pdf
Headlines from NASWA’s Workforce Bulletin – April
14, 2006.
- NASWA REQUESTS STATE WIA EXPENDITURE
DATA TO INFORM CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATORS
- ETA PUBLISHES
PY 2006 STATE ALLOTMENTS FOR WIA, ES AND
WOTC PROGRAMS
- UPDATE ON REVISED AREAS OF SUBSTANTIAL
UNEMPLOYMENT
- CBO REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IMMIGRANTS ROLE IN
LABOR MARKET
For the full articles go to: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/bulltemp.cfm?
results_art_filename=bu041406.htm.
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
(none)
State Grants 21st
Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Competitive
Grant
Federal Grants
Mentoring Children of Prisoners
Technical and Supervisory Assistance (TSA) Grants Rural Housing
Service
Civil Legal Services
Four Special Issue Resource Centers for Information and Technical
Assistance
Foundation Grants
Wachovia Foundation Grants
Literacy and Domestic Violence Prevention Grants
Program Grants For Serving At-Risk Youth
Grants to Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence
Home Depot CommUnity Impact Grants
Scholarships/Awards
(none)
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.
May 4–5, 2006
Employ Florida Communication Consortium Meeting
Daytona Beach, FL
Hosted by WDB Center for Business Excellence
Contact: Lucia Fishburne, WFI lfishburne@workforceflorida.com
May 17, 2006
Executive Directors Meeting (Partners Meeting)
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
May 18, 2006
Workforce Florida Board of Directors & Council Meetings
Council/Committee Meetings 10:00am – 12:00pm
Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 – 4:00pm
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
April 19 – 21, 2006.
2006 Annual Conference Florida Association of Partners
in Education
Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village
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 21, 2006
Florida’s First Financial Fitness Friday
Friday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be Florida’s First Financial
Fitness Friday. Members of the Florida Institute of CPAs will be available
to the public for guidance on conducting an annual financial “fitness” checkup
and to answer basic financial questions. CPA volunteers are providing this
service free of charge on Friday, April 21. To ask a question, call l (800)
342-3197, Extension 554 or log onto www.ficpa.org. Florida’s First Financial
Fitness Friday is an outreach event of “360 Degrees of Financial Literacy”,
a joint FICPA and American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) initiative to educate
the public about financial responsibility. “360 Degrees of Financial
Literacy” is a multi-faceted program that equips CPAs to take a broad
leadership role in educating the public — from school children to retirees — about
sound financial practices that apply to their particular life stages. Visit
the website at: www.360financialliteracy.org. To learn more about Florida’s
First Financial Fitness Friday go to: http://www1.ficpa.org//ficpa/SpecialProgramsEvents/FFFF.
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.
April 26, 2006
Workforce3 One Webinar: Local Employment Dynamics Contributing to Real Life
Solutions: From Disaster Response to Regional Economic Development
Time: 2:00pm Eastern (1pm/Central, 12pm/Mountain, 11am/Pacific) Length: 90
minutes
NEW! Presenters: Dr. Jeremy S. Wu, Project Director, Longitudinal Employer-Household
Dynamic, Demographic Survey Division, U.S. Census Bureau
Moderator: Anthony Dais, Workforce Information Team, Division of Workforce
System Support, Office of Workforce Investment
Description: This Webinar will provide an in-depth look at the Census-ETA Local
Employment Dynamics (LED) program and two of its most powerful tools, On the
Map and the Quarterly Workforce Indicators. The presentation will show how
these tools have been used to help plan for and respond to hurricanes, and
how they have been used to assist regional multi-state economic development
efforts. The Webinar will also demonstrate how these new tools exploit the
administrative data that state and federal agencies collect to provide sub-states,
local, and census tract level data on the characteristics of the population
and workforce, including where they live and where they work. In addition,
Webinar participants will learn about the other modules of the LED such as
elf-paced E-learning tools. The Census-ETA Local Employment Dynamics program
provides powerful local workforce and industry data in a cost effective manner.
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on a first-come, first-served
basis. Login to Workforce3 One and register today! http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=93
April 26-28, 2006
Techsouth 2006 Conference
Lafayette, LA
TechSouth, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated
to fostering technology-based economic development, is
hosting TechSouth 2006 April 26-28 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
TechSouth promotes collaboration between government,
business, and technology to make technology happen. The
conference includes keynote speakers such as Eng Lim
Goh, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
of SGI and Ron Sege, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Tropos Networks. Seminars will address a variety of
topics including wireless technology, business technology
success stories, and the role of technology following
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 2005 conference boasted
1,500 national and international attendees. The conference
is free with VIP passes available for $150. Learn more
about the conference at the TechSouth website: http://www.techsouth.org/
May 8 – 12, 2006
Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference will celebrate
its 20th anniversary in Ft. Lauderdale May 8 to 12 with
a vast offering of training sessions, working groups,
meetings and receptions. Upon registering for the conference,
attendees can choose from six tracks: Emergency Services,
Human Services, Infrastructure, Policy/Planning, Recovery/Mitigation,
and the catch-all category of "General." (Choosing
a session in one track does not prevent registrants from
choosing other sessions from a different track.) For
more detailed information, visit the conference website.
The early registration deadline is March 31 at midnight.
For more, go to: www.flghc.org.
May 9-10, 2006
Agricultural Business and Workforce System Integration
Forums (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration - ETA)
Tampa, FL
The two forums that were postponed from Fall 2005
due to ETA’s hurricane recovery efforts have been
rescheduled for Spring 2006. They will take place on
April 20-21 in Dallas, Texas and on May 9-10 in Tampa,
Florida. There is no registration fee or charge for attending
a forum. However, forum attendees are responsible for
related expenses (travel, lodging, and food). The preliminary
agenda is available at: http://www.tatc.com/integrationforum/AgForumAgenda-Revised1-10-06.pdf
Forum hotel and travel information for the Tampa meeting
is available at: Tampa, FL (May 9-10, 2006) http://www.tatc.com/integrationforum/AgForumAgenda-Revised1-10-06.pdf
If you have other questions about the forums, or if your
participation will require assistive technology or other
disability accommodations, please contact Alisa Tanaka-Dodge
of TATC Consulting at (202) 408-8282 ext. 234 or tanakaa@tatc.com.
Pre-registration will close one week before each forum.
On-site registration will be available.
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.
May 17-19, 2006
2006 Growth Management Summit
Rosen Plaza, Orlando
The Department and the Florida Regional Councils Association
are pleased to announce open registration for the 2006 Growth
Management Summit. Early registration is $175 until April 30
when it will increase to $200. Hotel rooms are $99 until April
30. Visit http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/gmw/index.cfm to register on line, to read the registration brochure, and
for other information.
May 23 – 25, 2006
Third Annual Virtual OneStop/Virtual LMI User Conference
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Geographic Solutions will be hosting its third annual
Virtual OneStop/Virtual LMI User Conference in Clearwater Beach,
Florida from May 23 – 25, 2006. Join over 100 colleagues
from over 20 states for workshops, roundtable discussions,
and presentations that address the needs of today’s workforce
management professional. The theme of this year's conference
is Demand Driven Workforce Solutions – using the tools
available to best meet the needs of workforce customers. Participants
who attend the conference will learn about workforce topics
from Geographic Solutions staff, guest speakers, and from the
lessons learned from colleagues and peers. Instruction will
be given about the current Virtual OneStop software and potential
OneStop solutions in a series of structured and interactive
workshops, as well as informal gatherings. Conference attendees
will have the opportunity to build a network among their fellow
workforce professionals, and to learn how to maximize the potential
of the current Virtual OneStop or Virtual LMI software that
is currently available in their state [NOTE: the Employ Florida
Marketplace is a VOS product].
The conference will include:
- Updates and directions from ETA.
- A sneak preview of Virtual OneStop release 8.0.
- Concurrent
Workshops in:
- Case Management
- Assessments
- Reporting and Performance
- Labor Exchange and Job
Spidering
- Labor Market Information
- "Best Practices" – Using Virtual OneStop
to create Demand Driven Workforce Solutions.
- Discussion
of the currently planned Virtual OneStop enhancements (with
customer input to prioritize and amend the planned
enhancements).
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday and
Wednesday, breakfast and lunch on Thursday.
An updated agenda is available on Geographic Solutions'
website. This agenda incorporates a number of suggestions
made at
the conclusion of the 2005 conference, including:
- Workshops
focused by function, not software module;
- More tracks: LMI,
Case Management and Reporting, Assessments, Labor Exchange
and Job Spidering;
- More "Best Practices" sessions;
- More opportunities
for informal workshops, "brown bag" lunch
sessions on topics selected by attendees; and
- A chance
to review Geographic Solutions proposed enhancements prior
to the group discussion (the list of proposed enhancements
will be sent to conference registrants approximately
one month in advance).
For more information on this event, including information
on how to register and hotel accommodations, please visit
the
Geographic Solutions website at: http://www.geosolinc.com/conf.asp or
call 727-786-7955 and ask to speak to Vicki Stonecipher. May
23 - 25 2006
National Rapid Response Summit
St. Louis Missouri
Hosted by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA),
the Summit will bring together frontline workforce professionals,
policymakers, economic development professionals, employers,
and other workforce system partners to explore new directions
in Rapid Response.
The theme of this year's Summit is Gateway to Opportunities:
Strengthening Our Communities through Economic and Workforce
Development, and features an agenda that is the result of a
collaborative effort between federal, state, and local levels,
as well as key partners and stakeholders. Registration Deadline:
May 1, 2006. Registration fee: $150.00 USD. To view full information,
including online registration and hotel information, go to:
http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/whatsnew/eta_default.cfm?id=1381.
May 30 – June 1, 2006
2006 Disaster Recovery and Data Protection Summit
The 2006 Disaster Recovery and Data Protection Summit,
slated to take place in the Tampa, FL area from May 31 to
June 1, is a unique event focused on business continuity
requirements of organizations threatened directly or indirectly
by hurricanes and tropical storm systems. Severe weather
systems take their toll across a broad geography and often
companies that are not in the direct path of a storm are
impacted by its collateral effects: power outages, telecommunications
failures, infrastructure failures and even civil disturbances.
For more information and registration go to: http://summit.datainstitute.org/.
May 30 - June 1, 2006
Orientation to Supported Employment
Gainesville, FL
The Florida Department of Education's goals to increase
the quantity and improve the quality of education options
and align workforce education programs with skill requirements
of the new economy are among the top priorities for K-12
education. To support these goals, DOE is pleased to provide
information about a three-day collaborative Orientation to
Supported Employment training event being sponsored by the
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, the
Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation
Services, and The Transition Center at the University of
Florida. The three-day training event will be May 30-June
1, 2006, and will provide participants with an introduction
to the employment of individuals with significant disabilities.
See http://www.flse.net/flsupportedemp/nexttraining.html for details. The training event will be held at the Hilton
University of Florida Conference Center, located at 1714
SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32607. Dale DiLeo, a
nationally known expert in the field of supported employment,
and Sheila Gritz, a leading state trainer in transition for
The Transition Center, will lead the training. This event
has been highly rated by participants, and is most appropriate
for employment specialists/job coaches and school-to-work
transition personnel, but would also benefit supported employment
supervisors, family members, and others.The purposes of the
training are to:
•
identify unique obstacles individuals with significant disabilities
face in getting hired and succeeding in the workplace;
•
acquire information on the supported employment process;
•
identify the legislation, regulations, and funding that govern
the provision of supported employment; and
•
identify provisions for effective assessment and career planning,
marketing and job development, and on-the-job training and
support.
The Association for Persons in Supported Employment has approved
the core competencies addressed in this training. This training
also meets pre-service and continuing education training
requirements by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion at
the end of the three-day training. Participants are required
to attend all three days.
A total of 40 persons will be accepted for this training.
Please note that previous trainings on this topic have quickly
filled to capacity. Register online at https://www.secure-online.com/flse/SSL/responseform_orientse.html by April 14, 2006. Participants will receive written confirmation
of acceptance by fax or electronic mail no later than April
19, 2006.
If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany McKenzie
at customerservice@trninc.com. For updates about the training
or supported employment activities in Florida, go online
at http://www.flse.net
June 2-4, 2006
The 8th Annual Family Café Conference
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
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.
June 4-6, 2006
The Southern Innovation Summit
New Orleans, LA
The Southern Innovation Summit will focus on the creation,
accumulation and application of knowledge for the South's businesses,
universities, citizens and governments, and develop strategies
for increasing innovation as part of the South's economic growth
policies. The conference will feature the release of the 2006
Report on the Future of the South, with keynotes and panel
discussions featuring Tennessee Representative Zach Wamp, champion
of the East Tennessee Technology Corridor; Edward Seidel, Director
of Louisiana State University's Center for Computation & Technology;
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Director of Education Programs for the
American Association for the Advancement of Science and Ben
Ritchey, Battelle's Vice President of the Transportation Market
Sector as well as key researchers and strategists from universities
and innovation centers from across the country. Register by
March 31st and save $75 on conference registration fees. To
register online, or to download registration forms, visit:
http://www.southern.org/conf.asp. To access the agenda, visit:
http://www.southern.org/conference/2006conference/agenda.shtml
July 11-13, 2006
Workforce Innovations
Anaheim, California
Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment
and Training Administration and the American Society for Training
and Development, Workforce Innovations 2006 is one conference
you do not want to miss. The conference is shaping up to be
the biggest and best Workforce Innovations yet, with more than
3,000 participants expected.
Already confirmed conference highlights include:
- A keynote address by respected author and
PBS host, James Burke, on his interpretation of global economic
realities and
what we can do to "Innovate for the Day After Tomorrow."
- An
educational tour to the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a brand
new facility providing youth from diverse backgrounds
with opportunities for career orientation, career exploration
and career preparation.
- Tools and strategies to support you
in regional economic development efforts, whether your community
is just starting
this process or is well underway.
- Dozens of dynamic Super
Workshops, Learning Labs, Roundtable Discussions, and "Quick
Takes" on cutting edge
issues for workforce professionals and their partners from
economic
development, education, community colleges, and industry.
Register now and book your hotel on or after March 31 at:
http://www.workforceinnovations.org/registration.cfm. USDOL’s Workforce Tools of the Trade Workforce Investment
Systemwide Events Page. http://www.workforcetools.org/calendar.asp
Odds and Ends
Broadband South to expand rural broadband access
in GA & FL (from Southern Compass -- April 18, 2006). Broadband South,
LLC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, received a $33.8 million
low-interest loan from the United States Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Rural Development Broadband Access program. The organization
project will build broadband access for southeast Georgia,
the Florida Panhandle and northern Florida affecting 64 rural
communities and approximately 35,000 homes. The Broadband
Access program provides low-interest loans for providers
to communities of less than 20,000 people. Minnesota and
New York State were the other loan recipients. You can read
the press release at the USDA website: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?
contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/04/0119.xml.
High-Tech Industry Employment Edges Upward in 2005,
AeA Report Says - Tech Manufacturing Adds Jobs for the First
Time Since 2000; Unemployment Rate for Electrical Engineers
Reaches 1.5 Percent, Lowest in 3 Years. Washington, DC (April
19, 2006) – AeA, the nation’s largest trade association
representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today
released its ninth annual Cyberstates report detailing national
and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, exports,
and other key economic factors. The report, Cyberstates 2006:
A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology
Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico. The report shows that in 2005, the high-tech
industry added some 61,000 net jobs for a total of 5.6 million
in the United States. This growth is an important first step
in the turnaround of the high-tech industry, and represents
a significant change from a previous four-year decline. "While
we are encouraged by the positive employment trend, the technology
industry is focused on the long term health of the industry,
the economy, and our nation," said William T. Archey,
President and CEO of AeA. "Tech industry employment
only grew by one percent last year compared to two percent
for the U.S. private sector as a whole. To promote the creation
of high-paying technology jobs for the future, we need to
address the competitiveness issues facing our country, today." "This
means that all Americans need to recognize that we live in
an increasingly competitive world," Archey continued. "To
prepare ourselves for this challenge, we need to invest in
long-term basic research, particularly in the physical sciences.
We need to reform our visa system so that the best and the
brightest individuals come and stay in the United States,
creating companies, products, wealth, and jobs. And most
importantly, we need dramatic improvements in our educational
system, so that our children are prepared to compete in an
economy that is knowledge based and driven by technology." In
recognizing these competitiveness trends, Cyberstates 2006
shows that unemployment rates for most tech professions fell
in 2005. For example, the unemployment rate for electrical
engineers was 1.5 percent, the lowest rate in three years.
These high-paid jobs are expected to grow significantly over
the next 10 years. Nearly 1 million new computer specialists
will be needed, as well as nearly 200,000 new engineers.
In specific sectors, the high-tech manufacturing industry
added 3,300 net jobs in 2005, the first time tech manufacturing
employment has increased since 2000. Similarly, software
services and engineering and tech services employment was
up in 2005 for the second year in a row. This job growth
is positive news for the U.S. economy as tech industry jobs
earn 85 percent more than the average private sector job.
Cyberstates 2006 shows that technology industry employment
at the state level was mixed, where 25 cyberstates added
tech jobs in 2004 and 27 cyberstates lost jobs. Virginia
was the nation's leading state by technology employment growth,
adding 9,100 jobs in 2004, the most current state data available.
The report also found that after growing in 2004, venture
capital investment in the technology industry fell by five
percent in 2005. This was in part attributable to a decline
in venture capital investments in software. This ninth edition
of Cyberstates provides a comprehensive review of the high-tech
industry nationally and state-by-state by high-tech employment,
wages, payroll, establishments, and international trade.
Cyberstates also offers data on venture capital investments
and R&D expenditures. AeA members can purchase the report
for $95; non-members for $190. Please visit www.aeanet.org/cyberstates to download the report, or call 408.987.4200.
April 22 is Earth Day 2006 – here are 10 ways to go
green and save green. How can we live lightly on
the Earth and save money at the same time? In honor of Earth
Day 2006,
the Worldwatch Institute teams up with the Washington, D.C.
members of SustainUS, the U.S. youth network for sustainable
development, to share some ideas on how to go green and save
green at home and at work.
1. Re-route
your commute.
2. Buy used.
3. Buy local.
4. Compost your food scraps.
5. Change the thermostat setting and install energy saving
devices.
6. Skip the bottled water at the grocery or convenience
store.
7. Make your own cleaning supplies.
8. Think twice about new electronics.
9. Add one meatless meal per week.
10. Use your local library and other public amenities.
To get detailed information on each of these ideas and
other info visit:
http://www.worldwatch.org/features/wwuniversity/10waystogogreen
NCES has just released 'The Adult Lives of At-Risk
Students: The Roles of Attainment and Engagement in High
School.' Previous
analysis of NELS:88 data found that students who are at-risk
of school failure, but who are engaged and participate in
school, achieve educational success. The 1993 study was a
cross-sectional examination of the differences among successful
versus unsuccessful students at-risk of school failure, particularly
with respect to participation and engagement in school. The
current study is a longitudinal investigation of the power
of participating in high school and later educational outcomes.
High school noncompleters, with the highest level of academic
risk, stood out in each case. In postsecondary education
programs, noncompleters earned the fewest credits; the mean
number of credits earned by noncompleters who entered a postsecondary
program was 17.0, compared to 49.4 credits for marginal completers
and 87.8 credits for successful completers. High school noncompleters
were less likely to be employed in 2000 (77 percent) than
were successful completers (88 percent) or marginal completers
(86 percent). To download, view and print the report as a
pdf file, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006328
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service recently released
two Food Stamp Program Outreach Tool Kits. One of the tool kits
is specially designed for faith- based and community organizations,
and contains ideas, templates, and resources for conducting
effective food stamp outreach. Outreach providers can select,
customize, and print materials to help them conduct successful
outreach campaigns. This tool kit now features a streaming
video entitled "Community Hunger Champions: Helping
People Eat Right When Money's Tight." To view the video
and other outreach materials, go to: <http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/tool-kits.htm>
The "10 Myths and Facts About Food Stamp Benefits" is
now available on- line in Spanish as well as in English. There are five versions of this outreach tool with each
one geared towards a different population of interest:
working poor, immigrants, homeless persons with disabilities,
and seniors. Access these resources at: <http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/info.htm>
Why Your Employees Are Losing Motivation (HBSWK Pub. Date:
Apr 10, 2006 From Harvard Management Update by David Sirota,
Louis A. Mischkind, and Michael Irwin Meltzer). Business
literature is packed with advice about worker motivation—but
sometimes managers are the problem, not the inspiration.
Here are seven practices to fire up the troops.
Most companies have it all wrong. They don't have to motivate
their employees. They have to stop demotivating them. The
great majority of employees are quite enthusiastic when they
start a new job. But in about 85 percent of companies, our
research finds, employees' morale sharply declines after
their first six months—and continues to deteriorate
for years afterward. That finding is based on surveys of
about 1.2 million employees at 52 primarily Fortune 1000
companies from 2001 through 2004, conducted by Sirota Survey
Intelligence (Purchase, New York). The fault lies squarely
at the feet of management—both the policies and procedures
companies employ in managing their workforces and in the
relationships that individual managers establish with their
direct reports. Our research shows how individual managers'
behaviors and styles are contributing to the problem (see
sidebar "How Management Demotivates")—and
what they can do to turn this around. To maintain the enthusiasm
employees bring to their jobs initially, management must
understand the three sets of goals that the great majority
of workers seek from their work—and then satisfy those
goals:
- Equity: To be respected and to be treated
fairly in areas such as pay, benefits, and job security.
- Achievement: To be proud of one's job, accomplishments,
and employer.
- Camaraderie: To have good, productive relationships
with fellow employees.
For the rest of this article go to: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item.jhtml?id=5289&t=organizations&iss=y.
Quote for the Week:
“You
have not lived a perfect day
unless you've done
something for someone who will never be
able to repay you.”
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