CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
Susan Pareigis continues leadership - changes venue,
expands scope. Governor Jeb Bush last week announced that Susan Pareigis
is leaving the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) and
will be the new Executive Director of the Florida Council
of 100. Lauding her accomplishments Bush noted that Florida
has seen positive job growth in every year of Pareigis’ leadership
as the Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. “Florida
has been the job creation standout in the nation and recorded
the lowest ever unemployment rate in January 2005,” stated
the Governor. Highlights of her accomplishments include:
- As Director of AWI, Pareigis played
a key role in Florida’s
recovery from two devastating hurricane seasons. In 2004
she secured a National Emergency Grant of $75 million from
the U.S. Department of Labor, bringing vital relief to
the state within three days of Hurricane Charley’s
landfall.
- In 2005 she coordinated Florida's workforce resources
to give aid to our neighbors in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi
after devastating Hurricane Katrina. Resources and on-the-ground
assistance, including Mobile One Stop centers, were provided
to help victims in Mississippi and those who had evacuated
to Florida.
- Pareigis oversaw the successful implementation
of Florida’s
Voluntary Prekindergarten program in 2005, a program that
expanded to the second largest in the nation within its
first year.
- She also served as one of three state leaders
key to Governor Bush’s strategic, statewide plan
for diversifying and strengthening Florida’s economy
- Roadmap to Florida’s
Future.
- President George W. Bush appointed Director Pareigis
to serve on the President's National Hire Veterans Committee,
which works to expand job opportunities to the nation’s
returning veterans.
“
In my new role as Executive Director of the Florida Council
of 100, I will continue to be an advocate of the Agency’s
mission while focusing on such issues as economic development,
workforce and growth management,” said Pariegis. The
Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that derives its revenue entirely from membership
dues. It was formed in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris
Bryant to provide advice to him on key Florida issues from
a business perspective. The Council has continued that advisory
role to the Governor over the years, and today exists to
promote the economic growth of Florida and improve the economic
well-being and quality of life of its citizenry. The Council
was the first of its kind in the United States, and works
in close harmony with the Governor, the Chief Justice, the
Legislature, as well as with private organizations, to achieve
quality of life improvements for the people of Florida. CEOs
invited into the Council represent a cross-section of key
business leadership in Florida. Members are expected to have
a stake in Florida and in the achievement of the Council
mission; have achieved a high degree of success and recognition
in their business, profession or public service career; have
demonstrated involvement in public policy issues; and possess
the personal qualities of character, personality and leadership
ability, and the desire to advance the Council mission. Given
these criteria, the Council is firmly committed to geographic,
business type, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. As business
leaders, the members of the Council feel responsibility and
have the determination, to improve Florida. The Council mission
statement, adopted in 1998, sums up the vision of the members:
To be a forum of strategic thinkers and leaders having a
major positive effect on Florida public policy which enhances
the quality of life and economic well-being of all Floridians.
To learn more about the Florida Council of 100 go to: http://www.fc100.org. Governor Bush names Linda H. South Director of the
Agency for Workforce Innovation. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb
Bush last week named Linda H. South the Director of the Agency
for Workforce Innovation (AWI). South currently serves as
President of Pagosa Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm providing
research and recommendations on workforce investment strategies
to public and private organizations. South replaces Susan
Pareigis who has been appointed the new Executive Director
of the Florida Council of 100, a private, nonprofit organization
comprised of Florida business leaders that promotes the state’s
economic growth.
“
Linda’s background in workforce policy and strategic
planning will be a great asset to the state,” Governor
Bush said. “Under her leadership, the Agency will continue
fostering the record low unemployment and high-wage job growth
that have made Florida’s economy a model for the nation.” South’s
extensive experience in business and non-profit management
includes ten years of service as the Executive Director of
Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. During her tenure,
South provided local leadership in helping to establish the
Early Learning Coalition in Brevard County. Additionally,
she has served as President of Dynamic Works Institute, Inc.,
a private, non-profit institute providing training and certification
of individuals working in the public workforce development
profession. South received her Bachelors of Science in Professional
Administration from Barry University and a Masters in Business
Administration from the Rollins College Cummer Graduate School
of Business. “I am honored Governor Bush has asked
me to take on this exciting new role,” said South. “Access
to a skilled workforce is vital to meeting the needs of Florida
businesses and our growing economy.” The Agency for
Workforce Innovation is responsible for implementing policy
in the areas of workforce development, welfare transition,
unemployment compensation, labor market information, early
learning and school readiness. In 2005, the Agency oversaw
the successful implementation of Florida’s Voluntary
Pre-kindergarten program, a program that expanded to the
second largest in the nation within its first year. According
to the most recent statistics released by AeA, Florida ranks
2nd in the nation in the number of new high-tech jobs created.
Florida also retains its 3rd place ranking in the number
of high-tech establishments, with a total of 19,838 establishments,
and 1st in the nation in the addition of new high-tech establishments.
Hardworking and innovative Floridians have made Florida’s
economy one of the strongest in the nation. Florida leads
the nation in the number of new jobs created –creating
more than 1.1 million jobs since 1999 – and the unemployment
rate is at a near record low of 3.1 percent. Last year, personal
income grew by an estimated 7.8 percent, more than 2 points
above the national average. Florida’s conservative
fiscal policy has led all three major credit rating agencies
to improve our bond rating – including the first-ever
triple A bond rating for our state. For more information
on Florida’s unprecedented job growth and the Agency
for Workforce Innovation, please visit www.myflorida.com or www.floridajobs.org.
Governor Bush urges preparedness at the 20th Annual
Governor’s
Hurricane Conference. ~ Florida’s second annual Hurricane
Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins May 21 ~ Ft. Lauderdale
- Governor Jeb Bush today addressed more than 3,500 emergency
managers, first responders, federal, state and local officials,
volunteers and business leaders at the 20th annual Governor’s
Hurricane Conference. Governor Bush urged all Floridians
to prepare for the 2006 Hurricane Season as the state works
to instill a “culture of preparedness” in Florida. “Florida
has the best emergency response team in the nation, but it
is the personal responsibility of each and every Floridian
to prepare,” said Governor Bush. “Families and
businesses that prepare are safer and recover quicker than
those who don’t plan and don’t take action.” The
Governor’s Hurricane Conference provides an annual
forum for emergency management stakeholders to share lessons
and foster relationships that are important in times of need.
The Florida Legislature this year appropriated significant
funding to enhance Florida’s ability to prepare for
hurricanes, respond quickly in the aftermath of a storm,
recover from the damage and impacts to the economy and mitigate
future threats to public safety and infrastructure. The funding
exceeds more than half a billion dollars to harden county
emergency operations centers, make existing homes more disaster
resistant, install permanent generators in all special needs
shelters, create safe public shelter for an additional 100,000
people, repair and rehabilitate homes in communities severely
impacted by the 2004 and 2005 storms and raise public awareness
on the critical need to prepare for hurricanes. Coinciding
with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Florida’s
Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins on Sunday,
May 21 and ends on the first day of the 2006 Hurricane Season,
June 1 - just 21 days away. The 12-day holiday will save
Floridians an estimated $41 million. During this period,
no state or local sales tax will be collected on hurricane
preparedness items, including:
•
Flashlights and portable, self-powered light sources - $20
or less
•
Portable radios, two-way radios and weather-band radios -
for $50 or less
•
Flexible waterproof sheeting (tarps) - $50 or less
•
Gas or diesel fuel containers - $25 or less
•
Batteries - $30 or less
•
Non-electrical food storage coolers - $30 or less
•
Portable generators - $1,000 or less
•
Carbon monoxide detectors - $75 or less
•
Storm shutter devices - $200 or less
•
Cell phone batteries - $60 or less
The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1. For
more information on disaster preparedness, please visit www.myflorida.com or www.floridadisaster.org.
Changing Image, Changing Reality - Orlando Cultivates
Industry Around Another Kind of Mouse. (this article excerpt is reprinted
with permission from IEDC’s Economic Development Now
5-8-06) Orlando, Florida is better known as a theme park
heaven (or the opposite, depending on your age group) than
as a technology center. But since 2000, when a technology
strategy for the region was completed, The Metro Orlando
Economic Development Commission has been working to change
both the image and the reality of its economic base. “We
have evolved from the model of ‘let’s go get
everything we can, bring it back and make sure it stays here,’” says
Maureen Brockman, the EDC’s vice president of marketing
and communications. “Our approach has become much more
strategic and targeted, based on those industry clusters
that we can best support here.” Any good economic development
strategy, tech-based or otherwise, begins with an understanding
of existing assets and seeks to build on them. Orlando was
fortunate to have a technology base in place: Military training
facilities have been in the region since the 1950s, and defense
technology companies – many of which work with advanced
simulation for training – have clustered there since.
The region also is home to the University of Central Florida
(UCF), which has strong programs in engineering and computer
science, optics/lasers and simulation development. And of
course, let’s not forget Orlando’s creative base,
fostered by the presence of the theme park and filmmaking
industries. Once its technology strengths were identified – modeling,
simulation and training; optics and photonics; and information
technology – the EDC set out to build on them. Access
this complete article, reprinted with special permission
from IEDC, on the WFI website at: http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/news/docs/Changing_Reality_IEDC_article_5-8-06.pdf.
The Nation
CQ Today Midday Update – Wednesday, May 10,
2006, 2:28p.m.
Today in Washington:
House: Begins consideration of fiscal 2007 defense authorization
bill (HR 5122); debates conference report on five-year, $70
billion tax cut reconciliation package (HR 4297); passes bill
(HR 5143) that would establish a prize for innovation in hydrogen
research.
Senate: Considers a bill (S 1955) to allow small businesses
to bypass state coverage mandates in setting up group health
plans across state lines.
The President: Participates in a discussion on the Medicare
prescription drug benefit in Orlando; returns to the White
House and meets with victims of identity theft.
In Washington: Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein
hosts an “American Conversation” with former Rep.
Lindy Boggs, D-La., and her daughter, journalist Cokie Roberts.
The conversation will be preceded by the world premier screening
of “Lindy Boggs: Steel and Velvet.” William G.
McGowan Theater, National Archives Building, Constitution Avenue
and 7th St. N.W.
Articles:
- House Expected to Send Tax Cut Bill
to Senate This Evening
- Boehner Wants House to Vote Thursday
on Budget
- Panel Approves Voting Rights Act Extension
- Ney Defends
Himself Before GOP Colleagues
- Florida House Speaker Declines
to Challenge Rep. Harris
Access the full stories at: www.cq.com.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released
the following letter reports: LETTER REPORT GAO-06-361, May
8: Sarbanes-Oxley Act: Consideration of Key Principles Needed
in Addressing Implementation for Smaller Public Companies.
For the full report go to: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-361.
For the Highlights go to: http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06361high.pdf
Headlines from NASWA’s Workforce Bulletin – May
5, 2006.
- HEARING ON PRESIDENT'S FY 2007 BUDGET PROPOSALS RELATED
TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
- SUPPLEMENTAL EMERGENCY SPENDING
BILL PASSES SENATE
- ETA PUBLISHES PY 2004 WIA PERFORMANCE
MEASURES RANKINGS
- 23 STATES ELIGIBLE FOR WIA INCENTIVE
AWARDS
- ETA RELEASES ADVISORY ON ET HANDBOOK No 401
- UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE UNCHANGED IN APRIL
- NEW FLORIDA ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED
BY GOVERNOR BUSH
- NASWA's 2006 UI TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION
CONFERENCE
For the full articles go to:
http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/
bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu050506.htm.
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
Gov. Jeb Bush and Enterprise Florida are seeking
nominations for the Governor's Business Diversification
Awards. (REAPEAT) The Governor’s
Business Diversification Awards?
A statewide program that recognizes Florida companies in
emerging and high-technology industries for their contributions
to Florida’s economic growth annually during Industry
Appreciation Week. Each year, the Governor will present the
following awards:
- Governor’s Business Expansion
Award to a company that expanded its operations in 2005,
investing capital and
creating jobs for Floridians
- Governor’s Newcomer
Award to a new-to-Florida company that began operating
here in 2005
- Governor’s Export Excellence Award
to a company that saw a significant increase in documented
export
sales in
2005
- Governor’s Entrepreneurship Award to a start-up
company (less than 5 years) that sets the standard for
entrepreneurship
and creativity
- Governor’s Innovation Award to a
company, organization or institution* that, through product
or process, best
exemplifies innovative leadership
Companies will compete with other companies
in similarly sized markets. All five honors will be awarded
in each of
the following categories:
- Mid Market – county population
up to 75,000
- Major Market – county population
75,001 to 750,000
- Mega Market – county population
750,001 and higher
Who is eligible? Florida companies and organizations in industries
that help diversify the state’s economy. Companies
in the following targeted sectors are encouraged to apply,
but companies and organizations in all sectors are invited
for nomination. Targeted sectors include:
- Aviation/Aerospace • Homeland
Security/Defense
- Information Technology • Life
Sciences
- Manufacturing • Corporate Headquarters
- Trade/Export
Services • Financial/Professional
Services
- Distribution/Logistics • Education/Training
Companies will be evaluated based on their contributions
to Florida’s job growth and corporate citizenship and
a specific set of criteria unique to the individual award
(see nomination forms for specific criteria). What do winning
companies receive? An exclusive luncheon with Governor Jeb
Bush, other statewide winners and local economic development
organizations at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee
during Industry Appreciation Week September 18–22,
2006; Recognition in a full-page collage ad in Florida Trend
magazine and on high-traffic websites such as www.eFlorida.com
and www.MyFlorida.com;
Promotion through a press release to their local newspaper;
Company profile in a special edition
of Enterprise Florida’s statewide e-newsletter, “Developments” (3,000+
business/community leaders). Companies may be nominated through
their local or regional economic development organizations
or may nominate themselves. To contact your local economic
development organization, log on to www.eflorida.com/
partnerdirectory.
Additional information and nomination forms are available
at www.eflorida.com/govawards or
by calling Cheryl Haney at 407.316.4617 or chaney@eflorida.com.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. EST Friday, June 23,
2006. State Grants Farmworker
Jobs and Education Program
Federal Grants
Field-Initiated Research and Evaluation Program
2007 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Grant Program
2006 Refugee Healthy Marriage Program
Disability Case Study Research Consortium on Employer Organizational
Practices in Employing People With Disabilities
Foundation Grants
At Risk Youth Program Support Grants
Scholarships/Awards
2006 New Freedom Initiative Award (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.
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:
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.
Date: May 17, 2006
Workforce3 One Webinar: Charting a High Growth Strategic Future
Time: 12:00pm Eastern (11am/Central, 10am/Mountain, 9am/Pacific)
Length: 75 minutes
NEW! The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment
and Training Administration is proud to present a webinar series
on the role of community colleges in workforce and economic
development.
Workforce3 One is pleased to offer this first webinar, a case
study and model for defining strategic initiatives around high
growth industries and creating strategic partnerships.
Presenters: Dr. Ken Ender, President, Cumberland County College;
Richard D. Maher, President, Maher & Maher, Specialized
Workforce Development Consulting Firm.
Description: In today's knowledge-based economy, companies
are finding it increasingly difficult to find a highly skilled
workforce and educational resources to help workers learn skills
for 21st Century jobs. Community colleges play a major role
in workforce and economic development, often actively involved
in meeting rapidly changing workforce development needs by
offering business and industry-driven education and training.
This webinar will begin by describing the dynamics of today's
workplace and high growth employment sectors in the nation.
The webinar will feature Dr. Ken Ender, the President of Cumberland
County College, who will explain how he collaborated with community
partners to define strategic initiatives around high growth
industries to stimulate job growth in one of New Jersey's poorest
counties. Learn the critical steps of the planning process;
the three essential components of the plan's framework; and
the eight goals of the community symposium that can be modified
to serve the needs of workers and key employers in your region.
In addition to being President of Cumberland County College,
Dr. Ender is past Chairman of the Cumberland County Economic
Development Board, and a current member of his local Inter-municipality
Empowerment Zone and Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee.
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on
a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below
to login to Workforce3 One to register.
http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=98
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
June 5-6, 2006
Gulf States Disaster Recovery Symposium
The Perfectly Terrible Storms... Challenges Ahead
Pensacola, Florida
University of West Florida Conference Center
NEW! Disasters Don’t Recognize Borders - this first Gulf
States Disaster Recovery Symposium will address the human side
of disaster recovery planning; those issues that affect coordination
of social services, affordable housing, workforce issues, partnerships,
crisis counseling, recovery plans, homelessness and much more.
This Symposium provides the opportunity to bring together state
and local governments, private and non for profit sectors,
and volunteers to discuss the challenges of addressing the
aftermath of terrible storms and reducing the dramatic changes
it brings to our communities. Who should attend: Leaders/Planners
from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas engaged
in disaster planning and affordable housing issues Federal
Agencies State and Local Government Agencies Housing Advocates
Faith-based/Community Based Organizations Volunteer Organizations.
Please visit www.findflorida.org for more information and to
register online. Because of capacity limits, advance registration
is strongly encouraged and registration "at the door" may
not be possible.
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
Credit scores, reports, and getting ahead in America (by
Matt Fellowes, from the Brookings Metro Update, May 4, 2006).
[SPECIAL NOTE: The WFI Prosperity Initiative is now focusing
on financial literacy for consumers – one of the recommended
strategies in this report]. The following article clearly
demonstrates the importance of financial literacyConsumer
credit reports and scores play a growing role in the ability
of families to get ahead, now influencing prices for loans
and insurance and efforts to get jobs and rent apartments.
An analysis of a quarterly sample of 25 million anonymous
consumer credit reports and scores for every U.S. county
between 1999 and 2004 reveals that:
? Consumer credit scores widely vary across counties, with
the South having the highest concentration of consumers with
weak credit scores. In 2004, among all consumers, the average
score on a credit score index maintained by one of the major
bureaus was 656, out of a scale that ranges from 350 to over
850. Meanwhile, the average credit score in the South was
635, and more than one in five borrowers in a typical Southern
county have scores that suggest they are very risky borrowers.
- Between 1999 and 2004, most counties
with weak consumer credit scores saw declines in the average
consumer credit
score, while counties with strong scores generally experienced
modest gains. Nationwide, credit scores only modestly
fell during this period, but the average Southern county
experienced
a larger decrease. \
- Counties with relatively high proportions
of racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to have
lower average
credit scores. This evidence does not suggest that
a bias exists,
or that there is a causal relationship between race
and credit scores, raising questions for future research.
- High homeownership rates and county per capita income
are strongly associated with high consumer credit scores.
The
average county with a low, mean credit score had
a
per capita income of $26,636 and a homeownership
rate of 63
percent
in 2000. Meanwhile, the typical county with high
average credit scores had higher per capita incomes ($40,941)
and higher shares of homeowners (73 percent).
Financial insecurity, primarily measured by the frequency
of loan delinquencies, rose between 1999 and 2004. Over
those five years, the proportion of mortgage borrowers
60 or more
days late in their mortgage payments increased by 108
percent, from one out of every 106 borrowers to one out
of every
51. About one out of every 21 borrowers had at least
one credit-bearing
account 60 or more days past due in 2004. Consumer credit
reports and scores are playing a growing role in the
economic mobility of consumers today. But rising consumer
debt and
loan delinquencies mandate that government leaders, with
their private sector partners, pursue a series of reforms
to increase consumer education and responsibility, market
accountability, and accuracy. Access the full report
at: http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20060501_creditscores.pdf. College Internship Programs Graduate to a Higher
Level (By
Leslie Stevens-Huffman (from Workforce Recruiting April 27,
2006). Companies measure the success of internship programs
by the number of new hires; students want meaningful learning
experiences. The best internship program managers achieve
their hiring goals by giving students what they want. Many
college students used to spend lazy summer afternoons at
the beach or working at amusement parks. Now, it is more
likely that undergraduate college students will spend the
summer working in an experiential education program, receiving
performance reviews along the way and a job offer when they
finish. College internships make up the largest segment of
these types of programs, and they have become increasingly
popular as a strategic method for recruiting students prior
to their graduation. Managers favor internships for building
pipelines of talent and like the opportunity to "audition" the
students for a period of time prior to extending offers,
according to Steve Pollock, president of Wet Feet, a recruitment
solutions provider and research company based in San Francisco. "More
companies are de-emphasizing full-time hiring and emphasizing
the internship program and the subsequent conversion rates
of students to full-time hires at the end of the summer," Pollock
says. The desired conversion rate from internships to full-time
hires is 50 percent, according to the National Association
of Colleges and Employers, a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based
information resource organization on the employment of the
college-educated. In 2004, NACE members reported a 45 percent
conversion rate and a 35 percent rate in 2005. Wet Feet recently
surveyed students who had completed internships to gather
their opinions as to what constituted the best program. While
the priority goal of employers is gaining new hires, students
said that their No. 1 internship objective was gaining experience
and knowledge, and that receiving a job offer was a lesser
priority. The survey reported that less than half of all
undergraduate students had accepted their end-of-summer offers
as of November. The data also showed that programs that are
designed around student objectives had a better than average
conversion rate. Read the rest of this article at: http://www.workforce.com/section/06/feature/24/34/35/index.html.
Steps can be taken to reduce remediation rates;
78% of community college students, 10% of university students
need remediation (from OPPAGA’s Florida Monitor Weekly - May 5, 2006).
In 2003-04, 78% of students enrolling at Florida’s
community colleges and 10% of students enrolling at the state’s
public universities required remediation in mathematics,
reading, and/or writing. Almost two-thirds (62%) of students
in need of remediation required preparation in multiple subject
areas. Students who do not take rigorous academic courses
while in high school are significantly more likely to need
remediation, as are students who delay their postsecondary
education for several years. The cost of remediation courses
taken by students was $118.3 million during 2004-05 (the
most recent data available), with the state paying 53% ($62.9
million) of this amount. Over the past 10 years, Florida
has implemented several initiatives and programs to help
improve the academic skills of high school graduates. However,
remediation rates have improved little since 1997. This is
likely because the general focus of most of Florida’s
educational improvement initiatives has been on improving
educational outcomes in the K-12 system and not specifically
on improving college readiness. To address this problem,
the state could better align K-12 Sunshine State Standards
with college readiness expectations, increase high school
graduation requirements, and improve collaboration between
Florida high schools and the state’s community colleges
and public universities. Access this report at: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/educ/r06-40s.html.
Report offers strategies to increase foreign-born
pipeline of students & workers (from SOUTHERN COMPASS -- May 9,
2006). The U.S. has traditionally relied on immigration as
a source of labor. According to the Economic Report of the
President, foreign-born workers represent 25 percent of the
nation’s scientific workforce and 45 percent of the
country’s Ph.D. science and engineering professionals.
International students provide a pipeline of science and
engineering workers, but foreign graduate student enrollment
has declined in recent years. The report attributes this
decline to increased international training opportunities
and stricter post-911 visa requirements. Researchers also
highlight strategies to resume the flow of science and engineering
professionals, like increasing the number of foreign workers
allowed in the U.S. at any given time and more flexible visa
requirements. For more information visit: http://www.nafsa.org/public_policy.sec/international_student_1/
immigration_reform_issues/presidents_economic_report.
DataPlace™ upgrades ~ new design, more datasets. DataPlace (www.dataplace.org) recently unveiled a variety
of enhancements, offering quicker access to data and better
navigation throughout the site. With its new look and feel,
the DataPlace home page makes it easier to find key data
features. A new comparison feature on the Area Overview
page lets users see side-by-side data snapshots for multiple
locations. And all of this can be done more quickly than
before! Thanks to significant improvements in page size,
the site is faster for all users, especially those on a
dial-up connection. DataPlace also continues to enhance
its data offerings. Here are the latest additions: 2003
Business Patterns data: The County and ZIP Business Patterns
set on DataPlace now includes 2003 data. Produced by the
U.S. Census Bureau, the Business Patterns dataset provides
information on business establishments and employment by
industry and establishment size. DataPlace Business Patterns
data are available from 1998 through 2003 for areas as
small as ZIP Code tabulation areas. Click here for more
information. HUD Income and Rent Estimates: DataPlace offers
data developed by HUD on median family incomes and income
limits by family size for fiscal years 1999 to 2006. It
also includes data on HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) by number
of bedrooms for fiscal years 2001 to 2006. Visit http://www.dataplace.org/ to see all the changes.
Pandemic flu information and preparation – trying
to sort out the facts and fiction? One-stop web access to
U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information is now
available. Managed by the Department of Health and Human
Services www.pandemicflu.gov includes resources for individual
planning, business planning and more. Access it all at: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.
World's largest food drive happens May 13. On Saturday,
May 13, letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns
across America will collect non-perishable food items donated
by customers. They will be participating in the 14th annual
National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive -- the
largest annual one-day food drive in the world. Postal employees
in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Guam and the Virgin Islands will collect food and deliver
it to local community food banks, pantries and shelters.
Learn more at:
http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=6710
Weizmann Scientists Identify Basic Principles Of
Communication (ScienceDaily - May 9, 2006). How do we succeed in putting
our ideas into words, so that another person can understand
them? This complex undertaking involves translating an idea
into a one-dimensional sequence, a string of words to be
read or spoken one after the other. Of course the person
on the receiving end might not get the intended point: The
effective expression of one's ideas is considered an art,
or at least a desirable and important skill. Access the full
story at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060508175154.htm. Quote for the Week:
“In
any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the
right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and
the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
Theodore Roosevelt |
