Next STEP honors its Graduates

On Thursday, April 4th, the Next STEP team held its monthly retention meeting for those associates who have gone to work. The group experienced the largest turnout yet, with 34 working associates, 4 spouses, 11 community partners and multiple employers in attendance. Special guests included: Mayor Betsy Price, Executive Director, Judy McDonald, Otis Thornton, Director of Directions Home Initiative and Chakib Chehadi, President & CEO of C2 Global.

The group heard great testimonials from the employers and participants and learned about their successes on the job including: how many have received raises, promotions and outstanding evaluations. Refreshments were generously provided by 360 Catering and prepared by one of Next STEP's own, Chef Anthony Griffin.  His success story, along with that of his boss, Cody Hickman, was truly inspirational.

Mayor Price spoke from her heart, congratulating the associates on their success and encouraging them to continue to do well. One commented specifically on the fact that it felt great to be a tax payer in such a wonderful city.

A big thank you to the Workforce Staff who worked so hard to make the night special: Stephen Goodman, Christina Mason, Shannon Warmann and Maricela Jimenez as well as the Project Supervisor, Patricia Roland and the Project Manager, John Torres. 

Fort Worth Mayor - Betsy Price addressing the amazing group of Next STEP graduates and their supportive families at the Building on Your Success Event on April 4, 2013.

Board and Staff Members attended the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Conference in Washington, D.C. March 8-12, 2013. Thank you to: Carlos De La Torre, Mike Doyle, Jerilyn Edmonds, Keith Muskrat, Buddy Puente, Leslie Sisk and Estrus Tucker for attending this important conference on behalf of the Board. Board and Staff were fortunate to hear from some amazing speakers. At this month's Board meeting we will discuss the trip, a communication with some of the attendees "Take-Aways" can be found in this month's Board Packet.

  The group enjoying keynote speaker Bill Strickland's message of hope!

Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corp. His keynote speech moved the crowd, as Estrus put it, "His message combined education, culture and hope!"

Debby Kratky and Jann Miles were asked to present at the NAWB Forum about the wonderful work they are doing with Gallup. The session they presented at NAWB was called: " Human Capital: Successful Strategies with the Non-Traditional Workforce."  More information about their session is in this month's board packet, also as part of the board briefing we will hear more from Debby on that partnership. 

FACT Visit to D.C.

Last month Workforce Solutions received notice that our Responsible Fatherhood project,  FACT (Fathers And Children Together), had been selected for sustainability training offered by the Office of Family Assistance, Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).   An orientation for this seven-month engagement (March-September) was held in Washington, D.C. on March 5-7.  Board member Estrus Tucker and Board staff Mervil Johnson, FACT Project Director and Debby Kratky, Capacity Building & Training Director, attended the orientation and initial training session, entitled Program Return On Investment (PROI) conducted by Saint Wall Street, an independent consultant firm. The Office of Family Assistance oversees the Responsible Fatherhood grants, one of which was awarded to Workforce Solutions in 2011 to implement the FACT project.  FACT is a partnership of nine agencies collaborating with Workforce Solutions to promote responsible fatherhood in low-income families in Tarrant County through activities and support services that enhance economic stability, responsible parenting, and healthy relationships.  Since the program's implementation last year, over 400 participants have enrolled and received program services.  FACT is a 3-year funded program, ending in September, 2014.  The purpose of the PROI training is to assist current HHS grantees who have demonstrated promising practices in their programs, with strategies for continuing their best practices beyond federal program dollars. Only 10 of the 2012 HHS grantees were extended the opportunity to participate in this initiative.   Tanya Howell, HHS Federal Project Officer for the FACT project, met with Estrus, Mervil and Debby during their visit in D.C.  Additionally, technical assistance associated with the PROI training will be available to Workforce Solution's FACT Project staff through September of this year.  Estrus Tucker is serving as Board liaison for Workforce Solution's fatherhood initiatives and has facilitated several strategic planning sessions for the Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County.

To learn more about Workforce Solution's FACT program in Tarrant County, visit our YouTube infomercial at:   http://youtu.be/AX8YiaG5U7I  

Thank you again to our roving reporter Estrus Tucker for the great pictures!

Honoring Lillie Biggins

Our own Lillie Biggins was the featured speaker at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Women Influencing Business Luncheon held on March 21, 2013 at the Fort Worth Club.  Lillie entertained, informed, and inspired the audience with information about the new initiatives of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital including the new 75,000 sq. ft. Emergency Center slated to be completed by the end of 2013; plans for OR, ICU, Trauma and Ambulance training simulators, complete with mannequins that mimic actual symptoms; and, a new Geriatric Center to address the needs of Fort Worth's growing population of senior citizens.  She also shared stories of her life and described how her Christian faith provides the foundation that allows her to dream big.  Of particular relevance to Workforce Development, Lillie shared her advice to anyone who asks her how to get ahead-be faithful to the job that you have, do your very best and be grateful for that opportunity and someone will notice.  Her comments moved us all to be proud of "The Fort Worth Way", which she defined simply by saying, "we take care of each other". 

Lillie Biggins, president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital and former Workforce Development Board Chair for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County. We are proud to have her as part of our Board.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board and Staff Members supporting Mrs. Biggins.

 Back Row (L to R): Charlie Galupi, Carlos De La Torre and Louise Appleman. Front Row (L to R) Executive Director Judy McDonald, Jill Navarrete and Mervil Johnson. 

Aerospace/Manufacturing Roundtable

The Strategic Planning Committee appointed by the DFW Regional Aerospace Cluster held their third and final Aerospace/Manufacturing Roundtable April 5, 2013.  Keith Shaw from the host company, Turbomeca welcomed everyone to their facility and Jean Wallace, Chair of the Cluster provided the opening remarks for over 20 people representing eleven employers, the Fort Worth Chamber and Workforce Solutions.  Joe Maly, director of NANO Materials, facilitated the discussion that led to the selection of two initiatives and the review and approval of an expanded Regional aerospace organization model.  The Roundtable ended with a presentation from the Manufacturing Institute about the "Get Skills to Work" project for transitioning veterans into manufacturing jobs in different regions of the country.  The next Cluster meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2013.  

GE Project

GE hosted the Manufacturing Institute's first meeting in the area to introduce the "Get Skills To Work" project.  The program joins manufacturing and educators to prepare and place veterans in the manufacturing careers.

With an estimated 600,000 open advanced manufacturing jobs across America, this program is committed to closing the gap and creating new futures for those who worked to make ours better.

As part of the agenda, a panel was selected to demonstrate the coordination among local and state entities.  Doug Ridge from Texas Workforce Commission, David Wells and Troy Vaughn from Tarrant County College, and Judy McDonald of Workforce Solutions shared with the audience the number of projects/grants that each involves one or both of the panelist.   

The goal of the project is get 30 manufacturing companies in the area to commit to hiring transitioning Veterans who have received training through the local college to enhance the hiring ability.  

Later that day GE also hosted a Big group including, our Board Chair Buddy Puente at an open house, touring their new facilities. 

Job Fair Update

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is involved in many job fairs throughout Tarrant County on a monthly basis. All job fairs that we take part in can be found on our website under the calendar of events. More detailed information about the Job Fairs that we help host can be found on a new page on our website called Job Fair Information. Here is an update on some of the most recent job fairs we participated (or will participate in):

• Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County has been busy the past few weeks participating in spring job fairs hosted by several of our community college and university locations including Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus, Tarrant County College South Campus, and Texas Wesleyan University.  These events are always a great success and give us the opportunity to tell students about our website and www.workintexas.com.

• Our spring job fair, in partnership with Arlingtonanswers.com, Grace Community Church and The City of Arlington, is scheduled for April 25, 2013, at The Bob Duncan Center. Thank you to the City of Arlington for donating the space. We already have more than 75 companies scheduled to attend!  A flyer for this event can be found on our website as well as in this month's Items of Interest packet. Also at this month's Board meeting we will have extra copies of the Arlington Water Bill Insert which has information about the Job Fair in case people would like to take some to hand out. 

• The Alliance Texas Hiring Fair has been scheduled for May 9, 2013 at Texas Motor Speedway.  Companies interested in registering can contact Janet Benton at 817.548.5274. More information about this event can be found on our website www.workforcesolutions.net as well as in this month's Items of Interest packet. 

Tarrant County Jobs Map

Social Media Update

Follow, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County @WfSTarrant for the latest news in the world of workforce!

We are continuing to work on and improve our social media outreach. We have plans to expand into other avenues in the future, so we encourage you to stay tuned! It is just another way we are Keeping Tarrant County Working!

I encourage all of you to "Like" or "Follow" these pages and suggest them to others! 

Elizabeth the Author

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