MONTHLY STATUS REPORT

YOUTH SERVICES

A balance of approximately $237,000 remains from the Summer Youth Jobs and Careers Program funds. At the January 2010 Youth Council Committee meeting, members agreed to: 1) increase current youth contracts, as well as the number of youth to served from 276 to 310; 2) expand the paid youth internship program; and 3) set aside funds to plan for a second summer youth program in 2010.

ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKER SERVICES

The Lane Workforce Partnership contracts with Lane Community College for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA ) funded services to adults and dislocated workers. 

WIN assessments and limited career pathways advising are being provided to low-income adults and dislocated workers.  As of December 30, 2009, 86 low income adults and 125 dislocated workers had received these services.

In addition, students are being advised in preparation for new training sessions beginning in Winter Term at Lane Community College that include:

• Statewide Basic Manufacturing Certificate Program with Solar Emphasis (15-19 credits over two terms)
• Sustainable Building Practices Course (3 credits)
• Residential Weatherization Auditor 1 and Technician 1 Training (Non-credit)

Lane Community College is one of eight community colleges in the nation that has received a Walmart Brighter Futures Project grant through the League for Innovations in the Community College.  This grant will provide for a full-time Program Coordinator to enhance services for dislocated workers.  It is anticipated that the deliverables for the new grant will tie in with those of the ARRA grant, benefitting low-income individuals and dislocated workers in a heightened way.

Paid work experiences and internships:  Since the start in Fall Term 2009, 15 paid work experience placements have been created for the Weatherization Auditor and Technician training.  The placements are with weatherization contractors, general contractors, and Lane Community College.  Students will begin work in late December. Seven students began their work experience in December, and the remaining students, who continue to be interested, will begin their work experience in January.

Fifteen to 23 eligible students in the Dental Assisting Program will begin their paid work experience in Spring Term.

Up to 10 eligible students in non-credit health care programs will begin work experiences in Winter Term.

Up to 30 eligible students in the Basic Manufacturing Certificate Program and Sustainable Building Practices class will begin their work experience in Winter Term and continue into Spring Term.

General Education Development:  In response to growing demand, ARRA funds are now being used to support GED classes. In November 2009, 11 individuals applied and were approved to have their GED fees paid by the grant.  All met both low-income, as well as dislocated worker eligibility criteria. In December 2009, 2 individuals applied and were approved to have their GED fees paid for by the grant.  All met low-income and dislocated worker guidelines.

Revision to October’s report:  Instead of 11 individuals, 9 individuals were approved to have their GED fees paid for.  All met low-income and dislocated worker guidelines.

Career Readiness Certificate (CRC):  CRC assessments began at the beginning of October 2009.  Jim Stroop, faculty and CRC Coordinator, has been working with students to prepare them for the CRC exams.  The ARRA grant will pick up the CRC portion of Mr. Stroop’s salary in January when the current grant funding runs out.  By December, 2 students had completed the CRC assessment, and a total of 5 were in process.

Three-strand Energy Management Program: the Residential Weatherization Auditor 1 and Technician 1 training sessions were completed in November and December, 2009.  A total of 23 students participated in the first session (Auditor 1) of the training and 18 students continued on in the second session (Tech 1).  An important feature of the training is the hands-on component being held at the Community Services Consortium in Corvallis. 

Curriculum development was completed by Advanced Technology faculty to develop and refine curriculum for Green Construction and Basic Manufacturing with solar focus courses.  After initial research began, curriculum development was halted for Green Manufacturing.  Instead, funds will be allocated to the development of curriculum for Clinical Lab Technician with course beginning in Spring Term.  In addition, discussions are underway to hold a CNA training in Junction City within the next few months.

On January 4, 2010, the Statewide Basic Manufacturing Certificate Program will begin.  Twenty-three students have been accepted into the program.  Thirteen students have been accepted into the Sustainable Building Practices class.

Monaco National Emergency Grant:  The Lane Workforce Partnership was awarded a National Emergency Grant to provide job training and placement services to laid off workers from Monaco Coach in Coburg.   In partnership with Monaco, a Career and Training Exploration Center opened at the Monaco manufacturing facility in Coburg.  The company donated space, as well as computer hardware.  One hundred twenty-two former Monaco employees have received training scholarships.

UPCOMING PLANNED ACTIONS, MAJOR PROJECTS AND DEADLINES

Please see the section on Youth Services above for plans to fully expend summer youth funds by June 30, 2010.