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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 3-15-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsGovernor Crist Announces Florida First in Nation to Access National Crime Database ~ High-tech tool enhances the state’s ability to protect abused children. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Bob Butterworth and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey to announce DCF’s new access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The new resource will provide child protection investigators with direct, online access to national criminal justice information such as criminal history records and warrants. The access will enhance the state’s ability to protect child victims of abuse and neglect. “Florida once again leads the way for the rest of the nation by providing unprecedented access to technology that will defend our children,” said Governor Crist. “It is our duty to seek every available resource to protect Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. This powerful tool will help protect both the victims of child abuse and neglect and the public servants charged with protecting them.” The passage of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in July 2006 enabled state human services agencies to apply for access to the NCIC database. DCF was one of the first state agencies to apply for the access and is now the first in the country to implement the database technology into their reporting system. The access will allow investigators to conduct more thorough background checks on individuals referred to in reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. DCF employees who conduct criminal history checks of all child abuse and neglect reports can now review the backgrounds of alleged abusers within minutes of receiving a report, allowing them to identify potentially hazardous situations sooner. Department staff will be able to identify individuals with past serious criminal charges, such as weapons possession or assault and battery. All 79 employees in DCF’s Abuse Hotline Crime Intelligence Unit have been trained to use the NCIC criminal database and began using it February 26, 2007. DCF also recently unveiled online technology aimed at streamlining abuse reporting and protective investigations. Now, abuse reports can be filed through the Department’s Web site, as well as through the statewide hotline number. State child protective service agencies estimate more than one million children nationwide are victims of child abuse and neglect each year. Many victims do not receive help because they are not reported to the system. To file a report of alleged abuse or neglect, simply call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or visit http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/ and click on the icon, “Complete a Florida Abuse Hotline Report.” For more information about the Florida Department of Children and Families and Florida’s Abuse Hotline services, visit http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web/. Florida’s January Unemployment Rate 3.3 Percent ~ the unemployment rate continues to outperform the national average. TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) Director Monesia T. Brown last week announced Florida’s unemployment rate for January 2007 - seasonally adjusted - was 3.3 percent, unchanged from the December 2006 rate. Based on the latest nationwide data, Florida had the lowest unemployment rate of the ten most populous states and continues below the national average. The comparable national unemployment rate for January was 4.6 percent. “Florida’s economy continues to see growth,” said AWI Director Monesia Brown. “Although the housing sector continues to exert pressure on our job market as it does elsewhere, Florida’s economy is producing a steady supply of jobs. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to identify, develop and participate in programs that create job equity for industries of critical need throughout the state.” AWI and Florida’s workforce system are focusing on high wage jobs by creating up-to-date training for workers in industries that are critical to sustaining and growing Florida’s diverse economy. For the full report go to: http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf. Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturer’s Association Supports Career Pathways. The Suncoast Workforce Board received a second donation from the Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturer’s Association (SAMA) in support of the Career Pathways project. Peter Straw, Executive Director of SAMA, recently presented a $1,000 check to Frank Kovach, Chair of the Suncoast Workforce Board’s Youth Council. The mission of Career Pathways is to educate Manatee and Sarasota County students in middle and high schools about career paths in their community and to motivate them to stay here upon graduation. The project was initiated as a result of the challenge identified in the 21st Century Workforce Study to increase and improve the direct interaction between educators and the businesses community. An interactive presentation using touch screen monitors provides students with a wealth of information about industry clusters, career paths, educational requirements and the earnings potential in each career. To date, a total of 28 monitors have been placed in the schools in our region. Horizons Academy Middle/High School for at risk students located in Bradenton will be the beneficiary of the newest Career Pathways monitor. Career Pathways is a creative method that SAMA supports to educate youth about manufacturing careers. “SAMA recognizes the importance of reaching out to the future workforce and Career Pathways is one way to educate youth about viable careers in manufacturing,” said Peter Straw. “To be successful in today’s marketplace, manufacturers must invest in technology and skilled human capital. This project provides students with valuable information so they can make solid career choices,” explained Straw. Thanks to the continued financial support of participating businesses and organizations, students have the opportunity to view Career Pathways in their schools. For more information, contact Barbara Bainbridge at (941) 361-6090, extension 109 or BBainbridge@swdb.org. Grand opening brings support to Alachua community. ALACHUA — Wal-Mart and local civic and business leaders acknowledged the arduous political process and construction delays, but Tuesday morning was about celebration and congratulations during grand opening ceremonies for the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in the city of Alachua. The new warehouse's 650 employees cheered on cue at any mention of "Wal-Mart" and "associates," filling out the crowd of about 1,000 people around a stage inside the 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse. City and state officials and Wal-Mart management touted the economic benefits the company brings to its employees, customers and communities. The center distributed $45,500 to 17 nonprofit organizations, schools and civil service agencies. Wal-Mart officially began hiring for their new distribution center with a starting wage of $13.31/hour for entry-level positions. FloridaWorks, the workforce development agency for Alachua and Bradford Counties, secured a grant to help Wal-Mart rent a temporary space in order to interview 3,000 possible job candidates. In January 2007, with the help of FloridaWorks Wal-Mart went on to hire 700 employees for their distribution center in Alachua County. Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance Professional Career Expo in April. Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance will host a professional career expo for professionals looking for exciting career opportunities on April 10, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza. The expo will feature career action workshops by industry experts including David Stillman, co-author and generation expert, will share tips on how to compete for the best job in the multi-generational workforce. For more information, visit www.workforcetampa.com/expo. The NationHouse Subcommittee Releases Details of Draft Proposal to Expand UI Benefit Eligibility. The "discussion draft", available at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/pdf/2007/SFX159.pdf, would offer financial incentives to states to expand UI benefit eligibility. A second draft proposal would establish a national wage insurance program to supplement earnings of dislocated workers. Both proposals are the subject of a hearing scheduled for March 15 on Capitol Hill. OMB Seeks Comments on Draft Report to Congress on Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulations. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is requesting comments on its 2007 Draft Report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulations. The report is divided into four chapters:
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor additional information go to, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:(none) State Grants(none) Federal Grants(none) Foundation Grants(none) 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. March 21, 2007 March 21, 2007 April 26 – 27, 2007 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
April 2nd-5th, 2007 April 2 - 6, 2007 April 24, 2007 May 14-15, 2007 May 21-22, 2007 May 29-30, 2007 May 30, 31 & June 1, 2007 June 4-7, 2007 June 23-26, 2007 July 17-19, 2007 Odds and EndsUrban Institute Book Looks at Preparing Workforce for Labor Market Turmoil. (The following excerpt is from an article that appeared in the February 26, 2007 edition of "AScribe the Public Internet Newswire.") BALTIMORE, - The U.S. labor market has seen changes over the past few decades, and further turmoil is expected as the population ages and immigration and offshoring of jobs continue. A new Urban Institute Press book says that policies promoting education and skill development among American workers will be crucial in responding to shocks buffeting the U.S. workforce. In "Reshaping the American Workforce in a Changing Economy," experts forecast the labor market's future and investigate the policy options for counteracting significant workforce tremors. The book is edited by Harry J. Holzer, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University and visiting fellow at the Urban Institute, and Demetra Smith Nightingale, a principal research scientist at The Johns Hopkins University's Institute for Policy Studies and senior research consultant at the Urban Institute. "If a growing demand for skilled labor is not matched by a comparable trend in supply, then labor market inequality will likely continue to grow in the United States," write Holzer and Nightingale. "And, while labor markets will respond to these developments with a variety of adjustments ... output and productivity growth might be constrained by a relative dearth of skilled workers." The new volume addresses many timely policy questions. How, for example, can public policy help meet employer needs for different types of workers? What ways are available to encourage education and training, especially options that require fewer public resources? How can we make sure that new education and training opportunities are equitable? What must be done beyond public policy to raise the supply of appropriately educated and skilled workers? "The volume contains several solid proposals that could mitigate the workforce problems we already face and those that are sure to grow," writes Ron Haskins, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "This is a timely, provocative and wise book." "Reshaping the American Workforce in a Changing Economy," edited by Harry J. Holzer and Demetra Nightingale Smith, is available from the Urban Institute Press for $29.50 (344 pages, ISBN 0-87766-735-7). Order online at http://www.uipress.org, call 202-261-5687, or dial 1-877-847-7377 toll-free. The Urban Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research and educational organization that examines the social, economic, and governance challenges facing the nation. Brookings Institution Report: Top Ten Global Economic Challenges - An Assessment of Global Risks and Priorities. The beginning of 2007 offers a conflicting picture of the global economy for those trying to discern trends, challenges and opportunities. Concerns about energy security and climate sustainability are converging-finally bringing consensus in sight on the need for action in the United States, but prospects for breaking the global stalemate are still years away. While some developing countries are succeeding in bringing hundreds of millions out of poverty, too many are still mired in a doom spiral of conflict, poverty, and disease - despite the entry of new philanthropists, advocates and global corporations into the field of development. China's projected 9.6% growth rate is sending ripples to the farthest reaches of the planet-creating opportunities but also significant risks. The United States remains in the "goldilocks" zone, but this is premised on continued borrowing from abroad at historically unprecedented rates while many Americans fret about widening inequality and narrowing opportunity. While the United States concentrates on civil war in the Middle East, most leaders in the region are preoccupied with putting an outsized cohort of young people to work and on the road to becoming productive citizens. Access the full report at: http://www.brookings.edu/global/200702_globaltopten.htm. From Southern Compass -- March 13, 2007:
New website on Career/Technical Education. NCES has just expanded and renamed its Data on Vocational Education (DOVE) website. The website is now called Career/Technical Education Statistics (CTES), and includes a new section of "CTES Tables on the Web." Based on analyses of NCES datasets, this section provides summary data tables that describe career/technical education (CTE) at the secondary level, CTE at the postsecondary level, and adult education for work. The site currently includes tables describing the secondary CTE delivery system and offerings, labor market and further education outcomes of secondary CTE, the postsecondary CTE delivery system and offerings, and adult participation in work-related course-taking.As other NCES datasets are analyzed over the next two years, these web tables will be expanded to other areas (e.g., secondary students' and postsecondary students' participation in CTE). Tables will updated in future years as new NCES datasets become available. To view the site, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ctes/ Quote for the Week:“We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell |
