Workforce Florida

Workforce Florida Weekly Update 5-21-07

CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends

The State & Regions

Governor Crist Signs Legislation Creating Paper Trail for Florida Votes ~ Moves Florida presidential primary to last Tuesday in January. WEST PALM BEACH – Governor Charlie Crist today signed House Bill 537 that will establish a paper trail for all votes cast in Florida elections. The election-reform legislation will provide optical scan machines for counties that do not already have them for Election Day voting and early voting sites. The legislation also changes the date of Florida’s presidential primary to the last Tuesday in January. “There is no greater testament to our nation’s democracy than the people’s ability to choose their leaders,” Governor Crist said. “When Floridians cast ballots in an election at any level – local, state or federal – they can leave the polling place knowing that their vote has been counted and recorded and can be verified.” Governor Crist signed the bill at the Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections office in West Palm Beach. He was joined at the bill signing ceremony by Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Arthur Anderson, Congressman Robert Wexler, bill sponsors Representatives David Rivera (R-Miami) and Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) and Senators Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) and Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) and other legislators. “Every two years millions of Americans express their opinion without fear of consequence,” Governor Crist said. “People around the world yearn for this freedom, and now Floridians will enjoy this freedom with confidence that their vote is counted.” Touch-screen machines will still be used to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill will provide changes to Florida’s elections law, including the following:

Changes Florida’s Presidential Primary to the last Tuesday in January, increasing the state’s visibility in the primary process. Florida’s diverse population will be more influential in the Presidential Primary process. It also provides local governments the option to change local elections to the same date.
Requires all votes cast in the state on Election Day to be cast using optical scan equipment that provide a paper trail. Votes cast by persons with disabilities are exempt from this requirement.
Appropriates $27.8 million to the Department of State to purchase optical scan equipment to replace touch screen technology for Election Day voting. It also provides ballot-on-demand technology during early voting.
Allows candidates seeking federal office to retain their existing public office at the time of qualifying for the federal office.
Clarifies that complaints filed with the Florida Elections Commission must be based on “personal information other than hearsay.” And provides that complaints relating to expense items will not be investigated if reimbursement occurred before the filing of the sworn complaint.
" Today is an example of how government is supposed to function. Without partisanship and without political advantage,” said U.S. Representative Robert Wexler. “Governor Crist and the State Legislature have come together and delivered an election system that is a model for the nation. One person, one vote – guaranteed – with a paper record to prove it.” Representatives from the following organizations also attended the bill signing ceremony: the Voters Coalition, Broward Election Reform Commission, Miami-Dade Elections Reform, Palm Beach Elections Reform, Voting Integrity Alliance, and the Palm Beach League of Women Voters. www.myflorida.com.

Florida’s April Unemployment Rate Remains Nearly Unchanged - Florida’s Rate of Job Growth Picks Up Speed. TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) Director Monesia T. Brown announced Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2007 was 3.4 percent, and has remained essentially unchanged since November of last year when the unemployment rate was 3.3 percent. Based on the latest nationwide data, Florida had the lowest unemployment rate of the ten most populous states and continued to be below the national average. The comparable national unemployment rate for April was 4.5 percent. “Florida’s job market continues to receive national attention. In fact, Business 2.0 magazine recently reported that Orlando has the hottest job market in the nation,” said Monesia T. Brown, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. “The magazine noted that three of the top ten hottest job markets are in Florida. We are also encouraged by reports such as the Cyberstates 2007 report that highlights Florida’s national ranking in high technology job growth.” The report, Cyberstates 2007: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry released on April 24, 2007 by the American Electronics Association highlighted Florida’s national standing as a growing hub of high-tech employment. The survey, covering 2005 data, showed that Florida now ranks fourth in the nation in total high tech employment and was the second-fastest growing high tech job market, trailing only California. Florida added 10,900 high tech jobs in 2005, the latest year for which data are available. Florida’s Labor Market at a Glance (Seasonally Adjusted):

Florida has recorded 56 consecutive months of job growth.
Florida gained 148,600 nonagricultural jobs in April compared to a year ago.
Out of the civilian labor force of 9,179,000, there were 313,000 unemployed Floridians.
Florida’s April 2007 unemployment rate of 3.4 percent was 1.1 percentage points lower than the national rate of 4.5 percent. Florida’s rate has been below the national average since mid-2002.
For the full report go to: http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf.

The Core: News From The Florida Department of Education - May 18, 2007:

Troops To Teachers Program Receives Award. The Florida Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program Troops to Teachers has been selected to receive The Met Life Foundation/Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award. The selection process was highly competitive with more than 80 nominations submitted. The Troops to Teachers program was selected as one of 10 Award winners because of its inspiring practices in hiring and retaining individuals age 50 and over to meet important social needs. The Department will be announced as a recipient of The BreakThrough Award on May 31st at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. For more information on the Troops to Teachers program, visit www.proudtoserveagain.com.
Two of Florida’s Community Colleges Rank First Among Top 10 Technology-Savvy Community Colleges. This year’s top 10 technology-savvy community colleges have been named by the Center for Digital Education and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The rankings are based on the third national Digital Community Colleges Survey, which evaluates how colleges implement technology to help make campus operations efficient. Florida Community College at Jacksonville took first place in the large college category, and Indian River Community College tied for first place with Laramie County Community College (Cheyenne, Wyoming) in the mid-sized college category. Nearly 200 community colleges across the country participated in the survey. Colleges were grouped into three categories based on student enrollment: less than 3,000 students were considered small, between 3,000 and 7,500 were considered mid-sized and more than 7,500 were considered large. Community college officials responded to a set of 24 multiple-choice questions and five narrative questions regarding online services and technology provisions offered to students, faculty and communities. Colleges provided Web addresses and background data for final verification and validation.
Preliminary Data Suggests VPK Is Better Preparing Children For Kindergarten. Preliminary data released at the State Board of Education meeting in Orlando revealed that children who participated in the state’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education program performed better on the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) – a screening instrument given to children within the first 30 days of kindergarten – than children who did not participate in the program. Further, children who attended the VPK program less than 85 percent of the time still scored higher on the FLKRS screening measures than children who had no exposure to the program. The preliminary 2005-2006 VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates, which measure how well a private or public VPK provider prepared four-year-olds for kindergarten, were also released. The Department of Education, Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) worked collaboratively to develop a searchable, online database with readiness rate reports for individual VPK providers available at https://vpk.fldoe.org.

The WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA UNIVERISTY offers no-cost human resource seminars. Seating is limited to “FLSA & Employee Compensation” on May 23, and "Why Sales People Fail ... and How to Fix It!" For more information and to register online at http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employers/wcfu.asp or call 407-531-1222.

The Nation

HHS Health Resources and Services Administration Issues Notice: ''Low Income Levels'' Used for Various Health Professions and Nursing Programs Included in Titles III, VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is updating income levels used to identify a ``low income family'' for the purpose of determining eligibility for programs that provide health professions and nursing training for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. These various programs are included in Titles III, VII and VIII of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. The Department periodically publishes in the Federal Register low-income levels used to determine eligibility for grants and cooperative agreements to institutions providing training for (1) disadvantaged individuals, (2) individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, or (3) individuals from ``low-income'' families. Access the Federal Register information at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-9548.htm.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released the following correspondence: Data on Hispanic Representation in the Federal Workforce. GAO-07-493R, May 18 is available at: http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-493R.

TEN 31-06: Technology-Based Learning Regional Forums". TEN 31-06 announces upcoming Technology-Based Learning Forums, during which ETA will share its Technology-Based Learning Initiative vision, and explore the use, benefits, and challenges of technology-based learning in the workforce investment system to develop the talents of the American workforce in the 21st century global economy. You can find this article on the Workforce ATM at:
http://www.workforceatm.org/articles/template.cfm?results_art_filename=TEN3106.htm.

NASWA Workforce Bulletin - May 18, 2007 Headlines:

CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE REQUESTS ADDITIONAL UI FUNDING FROM APPROPRIATORS
CONGRESS APPROVES BUDGET GIVING GREEN LIGHT TO APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES TO BEGIN MOVING BILLS
IMMIGRATION DEAL WOULD INSTITUTE TOUGHER EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION AND NEW TEMPORARY WORKER PROGRAMS
MORE STATES SIGN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS FOR NEW NATIONAL LABOR EXCHANGE
NEBRASKA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FIRST STATE AGENCY TO EARN EDGERTON QUALITY AWARD
ANNOUNCING THE 2007 UI NATIONAL TAX CONFERENCE
HOTEL DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR NEXT NASWA/NEWTON ASSOCIATES FORUM PLANNED FOR ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Access the complete articles at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/
bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu051807.htm.

Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and Notices

For current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.

Featured Opportunity:

Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Offered by Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Each year in Central Florida, Bank of America contributes over one million dollars back to the community through grants, loans and community programs to help neighborhoods grow and prosper. In addition to that positive impact, the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative has been established to recognize, nurture and reward organizations, local heroes and student leaders that are helping their neighborhoods achieve excellence. The program will award $450,000 in grants and recognition to deserving organizations and individuals in three distinct categories.

NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS - $200,000 over two years awarded to two organizations. We are accepting nominations of non-profit organizations that are working to promote vibrant neighborhoods and are addressing pressing needs in the areas of Community Revitalization, Education and Health and Human Services.
LOCAL HEROES - $25,000 to non-profits donated in honor of five selected community leaders. We welcome nominations of individuals in our community whose achievements and leadership on local issues contributes significantly to neighborhood vitality. These “Local Heroes” will receive a $5,000 contribution to donate to the qualified non-profit of their choosing.
STUDENT LEADERS – Paid summer internships to five Student Leaders. We encourage nominations of outstanding students (high school seniors and juniors) who have excelled in their communities or school and have shown interest and enthusiasm for the kind of community work that might some day make them leaders in their neighborhoods.
To learn more about the initiative, applicable markets, local market priorities or to nominate an individual or organization online, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation. Please note that the final day for submitting nominations is June 30, 2007.

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.

Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:

May 21-22, 2007
Rural Economic Development and Tourism Summit
Jackson County Agriculture Center
Marianna, Florida
For more information please contact Susan Estes at 877-467-7352 or susane@opportunityflorida.com

May 29-30, 2007
4th Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference
The Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida
www.floridaresearch.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Tech%20
Transfer_Home&category=TechTransfer

May 30, 31 & June 1, 2007
National Unemployment Insurance Issues Conference
Dallas, Texas
Contact Cheryl Robinson at 202-637-3464 for additional information; registration and specifics forthcoming.

June 4 - 5th, 2007
2007 Florida Minority Community Economic Development Summit
Sheraton River Walk Hotel, Tampa-Florida
www.fmcrc.org

June 4-7, 2007
2007 National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Annual Conference
“ Special Challenges of a New Era”
Washington, D.C.
http://www.nchv.org/annualconference.cfm

June 12-15, 2007
Florida Association of Counties 2007 Annual Conference
Renaissance Orlando Resort
http://fl-counties.com/fcf/facconferences/annualconference.shtml.

June 13-15, 2007
2007 Bridges to Employment Conference
Miami, FL
(See article in “Odds and Ends” below) For more info go to: http://www.proyectovision.net/english/bridges/.

June 23-26, 2007
Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) Annual Conference
“ Competing in a World of Change”
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Stay tuned! www.fedc.net

July 17-19, 2007
Workforce Innovations 2007
“ Beyond Boundaries”
Kansas City (MO)
www.WorkforceInnovations.org

Odds and Ends

From OPPAGA’s Florida Monitor Weekly- May 18, 2007:

The Brookings Institution Report - Borrowing to Get Ahead, and Behind: The Credit Boom and Bust in Lower-Income Markets. Over 55% of lower-income households held debt in 2004, a 10% increase since 1989. Total debt held by these households increased by 308% during this period, now adding up to over $481 billion. Most of this debt is for mortgages and home-related installment trades. Over 32% of lower-income borrowers struggle to pay bills on time; about 27% now spend more than 40% of their income servicing debt. Usage of credit in lower-income markets varies widely across the country, from a high in Boston (where 75% of borrowers in lower-income markets owed money in 2005) to a low in Las Vegas (where less than 40% did). Credit usage in lower-income markets increases as the credit scores of borrowers improves, when divorce rates and the proportion of immigrants decreases, and when the proportion of seniors increases. Total debt increases with rising credit scores of borrowers in lower-income markets, when the proportion of the uninsured and immigrants increases, and when mortgage lending policy becomes more stringent. The highest levels of indebtedness are also found in the areas of the country with the lowest costs of living. With the expansion of lending in lower-income markets, an entirely new generation of policy implications has emerged, transcending the traditional focus on the supply of credit. Now, policymakers must also be concerned with the ability of consumers to choose from myriad different credit products, the capacity of bad apples in the credit industry to take advantage of information asymmetries and hurt both borrowers and lenders, and the need for research to assess the effect of lending on both borrowers and the businesses underwriting those loans. Yet, policymakers need to proceed cautiously with these recommendations so as to address markets with apparent problems, while preventing disruption to markets without serious problems. http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/fellowes/20070508.htm.
MDRC - How Much Is a College Degree Worth? A bachelor's degree can be worth more than $25,000 a year. Adults aged 18 and older with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $54,689 in 2005, while high school graduates earned $29,448. A two-year associate's degree brings an average annual premium of $8,500 over a high school diploma. Community colleges are the gateway to higher education and better jobs for many Americans. In fact, nearly half of all postsecondary students attend community colleges. Because of their relative low cost and accessibility, community colleges serve large numbers of low-income and first-generation college students. But to achieve a degree, students must stay in school. Unfortunately, nearly half of all students who start at a community college fail to earn a degree or transfer to another school within six years. http://www.mdrc.org/area_fact_33.html.

REFERENCE POINTS: Negotiating the Curves Toward Employment: A Guide About Youth Involved in the Foster Care System. This new Guide from NCWD was developed to encourage collaborative efforts between workforce development, child welfare, mental health, schools, and other community institutions to improve opportunities for youth in foster care to successfully transition into adulthood. The youth involved in the foster care system represent one of the most vulnerable populations in our society. Of the more than 500,000 children in foster care, 30 to 40% are also in special education. However, this number does not capture all youth with disabilities in the foster care system. In one study, it was estimated that between 20 to 60% of young children entering foster care have a developmental disability or delay. These types of disabilities include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as speech, hearing, and vision impairments. This compares with an estimate of about 10% among the general population. Building upon the NCWD/Youth organizing framework known as the "Guideposts for Success" (http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/guideposts/index.html) which details what research says all youth, including youth with disabilities, need to successfully transition to adulthood, this new publication applies the Guideposts to meeting the needs of youth in foster care with and without disabilities. In addition, the Guide provides facts, statistics, and contextual information about youth involved in the foster care system; gives examples of states and communities that are changing policy and practices; identifies areas requiring further attention by policy makers and providers of services; and identifies resources and tools to assist cross-system collaborative efforts. The Guide can be found at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/foster_care.html
NCWD/Youth will soon be posting on its website a companion piece to the Guide that will demonstrate how the foster care Guideposts can be addressed under several pieces of program legislation affecting youth in the foster care system.

June is National Homeownership Month. June is National Homeownership Month, and as part of celebrating homeownership, Florida Housing will host a number of events in Orlando, including our 2007 HomeBuyer Expo. The expo will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center, Hall D2, West Building and includes hundreds of exhibits and booths showcasing resources available to secure affordable housing. There will be booth at the registration counter for persons needing special assistance such as accessing the exhibit space or an interpreter for persons that are hearing impaired. Highlights of the expo include free credit reports and credit counseling, workshops and seminars on securing financing, understanding the loan closing process and determining how much you can afford. This is a great opportunity for the general public to find out about local, state and federal affordable housing programs. Registration is free for consumers, and parking is free if you pre-register online. The following is a link to the Expo’s Website for additional information: http://www.floridahousing.org/Expo/Home.htm.

Online and offline stuff from SBA to make your business buzz (from GET CONNECTED TOOLS.) Get the small-business training you need without ever leaving your desk. It’s easy with online courses from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The free courses are self-paced and take about 30 minutes to complete. Here’s just a sample of the courses available:

How to write a business plan
Guide to government contracts
Marketing for small businesses
How to find startup funding
Understanding taxes
Access the SBA online course info at: http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html.

Quote for the Week:

“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.”

Euripides (484 BC - 406 BC)