Public Policy Process Geronimo Rodriguez CoChair HISC Vice

Public Policy Process Geronimo Rodriguez, Co-Chair, HISC, Vice President, Diversity and Community Outreach, Seton Family of Hospitals 1

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Funding Opportunities for Work-Based Literacy Programs Tamara Atkinson, Workforce Solutions Capital Area Jenna Akridge, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area 6

Workforce Development Funds U. S. Congress (Federal legislation) U. S. Department Of Labor (with other federal agencies and federal funding sources) State of Texas (state laws passed to enable Federal legislation) (Governor designates a state agency) Texas Workforce Commission Capital Area and Rural Capital Area are 2 of 28 local workforce boards Go to www. texasworkforce. org and click on Boards and Network Partners to find your local board 7

Capital Area – 3 Career Centers (Travis County only) Rural Capital Area – 9 Career Centers (9 counties) Taylor Burnet Llano Round Rock Board Office Bastrop San Marcos Giddings La. Grange Lockhart 8

What is the purpose of the Workforce Board? Some people think of this when they hear Workforce Development Board: But we are really more like this: Workforce Boards serve as a catalyst for change MORE OFTEN than the funder of that change. 9

Workforce Board Functions The main function of a board is to make clear decisions about the direction and future of workforce development programs for its area. 1. Make decisions about the design of local workforce services, and measure their impact on local business and industry 2. Identify, impact and coordinate resources 3. Create and maintain partnerships with local businesses and industries in the area 4. Ensure delivery of federal and state funded workforce education and training programs Think of us as employment intermediaries. 10

Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI) under DOL • Asserts that America do better for our neighbors in need when we enlist every willing partner. • Dept of Labor policy reforms require: – Equal treatment of organizations/individuals regardless of religion – Lifting unnecessary restrictions on the use of “indirect” federal funding assistance for training that contains religious activities or leads to employment in a religious vocation Equal Treatment Regulations 11

Faith-Based and Community Initiative, continued • FBCOs include religious and non-religious groups that serve under-privileged communities • The Constitution does not prohibit faith-based organizations from receiving and administering federal financial assistance • Objective: Expand partnerships between the workforce system, FBCOs, and employers Like more info? www. dol. gov/cfbci 12

Public funding: Skills Development Fund • Customized training for incumbent workers and new hires • Application process through Texas Workforce Commission • Partnership of the business, the training provider (eligible grant recipient), workforce board, and the State • Business plans the design of the training project • Single business application limited to $500 K; usually a consortium of businesses that apply • Grants are typically 12 months in duration and average of $1, 250 cost per trainee 13

Public Funding: Self Sufficiency Fund • Customized job training for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients or those at risk for TANF • Application through Texas Workforce Commission • Partnership of the business, the training provider (eligible grant recipient), workforce board, and the State • Business plans the design of the training project • Single business application limited to $500 K • Grants are typically 12 months in duration 14

Public/Private Funding: Competitive Grants • Workforce Boards often participate in or lead the effort to secure funding to support training projects, including literacy based efforts • By creating a partnership with us, we learn about your programs, your clients, and your funding needs • We can act as the intermediary to link your program to businesses and to funding. • Boards can also provide the labor market information you seek when planning projects. We routinely rely on our data source: EMSI for LMI. Ask us how… 15

Successful Models for Partnerships • Adult Technology Training for Limited English Proficient students – in collaboration with ACC to provide concurrent ESL and Administrative Assistant / Dental Assisting training. • Jobs to Careers Project – work-based learning initiative that supports incumbent healthcare frontline workers in the form of job-coaching, self -study and classroom study 16

Successful Models for Partnerships, cont’d • Command Spanish Project - with Round Rock Chamber of Commerce to fund Spanish language training for medical office staff. • Capital Idea Project – the Board paid tuition & support services for underemployed workers to increase skills in medical occupations such as RN, LVN, pharmacy tech, diagnostic medical sonographer, physical therapy assistant, surgical tech, x-ray tech. 17

Thank you for coming! • Geronimo Rodriguez grodriguez 1@seton. org • Tamara Atkinson Tamara. atkinson@twc. state. tx. us • Jenna Akridge Jenna. akridge@ruralcapital. net • Al Lopez Al. lopez@ruralcapital. net 18