February 2015

 

Executive Director's

E-Newsletter  



Greetings!

Lots of First's during the First Quarter of 2015. Our First Strategic Planning Session for the new workforce legislation will be Wednesday, February 11, 2015.  We are excited to have National Workforce Consultant, Greg Newton joining us to discuss a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Strategic Plan. Also we will hear a report from the Workforce Delivery and Improvement Committees on their work with Greg regarding Business(Employer) Engagement and Partnerships and Services.  

 
Our Board Chair, Keith Muskrat will lead committee discussion on February 10th in preparation for Wednesday's Board Meeting.  

 

The First Workforce Day at the Capitol was held February 3, 2015 in Austin. Our Board Member and newly elected Texas Association of Workforce Boards (TAWB) Chair, Leslie Sisk was introduced on the floor of the House Chamber prior to the reading of the resolution. That was a First for her!

 

We have been busy planning our First in a series of Career Expo's /Job Fairs. More information to come. We are also preparing for a move and an Open House at our Alliance Opportunity Center, at our First real building. 

 

National Consultant... Strategic Planning.... and New Legislation in under 2 hours. Now that's efficient!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

                                                     - Judy McDonald
                                                       Executive Director

In This Issue
Annual Meeting
Valentine's Day Message
Board Member News
Celebrating Workforce Day at the Capitol
Arlington to Austin
Mansfield City Council Recognizes Training Program
Job Fair Update
Job Fair and Career Expo
Employment Success Highlights
Blue Zones Project Kick-Off Event
Workforce Alerts and the Website Calendar
FACT Partners attend Texas Family Engagement Conference
Pictures
Calendar
2015 Board of Director's
Connect with Us on Social Media
Join Our Mailing List!

Workforce Solutions Annual Awards Meeting



 

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County held its Annual Workforce Governing and Workforce Development Board Awards Meeting on December 10, 2014 at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. At this meeting the members of the Workforce Development Board (WDB) along with the audience, heard the latest information impacting the county from our elected officials. Year after year we receive such wonderful feedback about this meeting being a Board Member as well as audience favorite.  


 
We were also excited to have the 3-4 year old Pre-K class from the downtown YWCA back to sing and entertain us. This is the fourth year they have been our opening act and as always they did not disappoint.

 

This meeting is our venue to thank some of the individuals and organizations that have helped make 2014 one for the record books! The list of awards and winners included:

  • Employer of the Year - Klein Tools, Inc. 
  • Child Care Quality Award - Child Care Associates
  • Industry Sector Award - Mansfield Manufacturing Partnership 
  • 2014 Service to Business (Economic Development) Award
    • David Berzina - Fort Worth Chamber 
    • Bruce Payne - City of Arlington 
    • Jay Chapa - City of Fort Worth
    • Pat Jamison - Mansfield Economic Development Corporation 
    • Jennifer Hawkins - Tarrant County College 
  • Service to Community Award - Captain Gil Miller, Fort Worth Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base and Troy Vaughn, Tarrant County College 
  • State UnSung Hero - Kwame Thomas and  Liz Adams, Texas Workforce Commission
  • Local UnSung Hero - Dr. Cynthia Fisher Miller, Fort Worth Chamber 
  • Adult and Youth Award
    • Adult Customer - Von Diggs 
    • Youth Customer - Stacey Bridges Whitlow 
  • 2014 Vandergriff Award - Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley, Tarrant County College

Our Workforce Governing Board: Mayor Robert Cluck, Mayor Betsy Price and Judge Glen Whitley along with Workforce Development Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Vice Chair Estrus Tucker - joined the kids from the YWCA for a quick picture in their new COOL Star Headbands. As always they are a highlight of the meeting.

 

For more award pictures please see the pictures section of this newsletter.

Valentine's Day Message

 

Board Member News

At this month's Board Meeting we will welcome a new Board Member to the Workforce Development Board (WDB):



 
Dr. Di Ann Sanchez, Founder/President of DAS HR Consulting LLC is replacing Luis Estrada as a private sector representative on the Board. Dr. Sanchez was nominated by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and her term will be up for reappointment in July of 2017. This appointment was also certified by the Texas Workforce Commission on January 20, 2015. We are excited to have Dr. Sanchez join our Board and look forward to her sharing her experience with the group. 

 

 

In Other Board Member News:

 

 

 

 

 

If you checked out the February issue of Fort Worth Magazine then you might have seen a familiar face. Congratulations to Gracie Vega and her team at the Gaylord for the great story!

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Board Member,Lillie Biggins for being re-elected to the DFW Airport Board of Directors to serve another year in her respective leadership position. DFW Board Chair Lillie Biggins of Fort Worth was re-elected as Board Chair, giving her a second year in that role.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations again to Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and the AISD Board of Trustees for being named 2014 Texas Association of School Administrators - Outstanding School Board of Texas. Recently the Board was honored with a reception celebrating this prestigious award. Congratulations again.  
Celebrating our Workforce Day at the Capitol 

If you follow Workforce Solutions on Facebook and Twitter (if you don't you should... you are missing out!) you may have seen, On February 2-3, 2015 the Texas Association of Workforce Boards (TAWB) met in Austin.

 

This group also participated in the first ever Workforce Day - with a visit to the State Capitol to be recognized by the House of Representatives and have February 3, 2015 declared Workforce Day.

 

 

 

Tarrant County was well represented: Leslie Sisk, Board Member and current TAWB Chair, Keith Muskrat, Board Chair, Estrus Tucker, Board Vice-Chair and Judy McDonald all attended and made us proud. 

   

 

Arlington to Austin

Workforce Solutions was proud to participate in the "Arlington to Austin" Trip. This event is a Chamber led coalition of business, educational and government leaders, conducted biannually at the onset of the Texas State Legislative Session. The primary purpose is to strengthen relationships with state agencies and elected appointed officials. 


 
This year the annual trip was January 27-29, 2015. Executive Director, Judy McDonald joined the group and will report out on some of the highlights during the Board Meeting.  

Mansfield City Council Recognizes Training Program 

The Mansfield Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County were honored this winter for its development and support of a program to help high school students train for manufacturing jobs.

 

The Advanced Precision Metal (APM) training program is a partnership between the two groups and the Mansfield Independent School District. The program developed a machinist curriculum for students at Ben Barber Career Tech Academy and coordinated jobsite experience with several Mansfield manufacturing firms including Klein Tools, Drill King, Camtech, Trinity Forge and Fluidic Techniques.

 

"The first students in this program will graduate in June and will have the skills and training to work in the manufacturing environment," said Pat Jamison, Business Retention Manager for Mansfield economic development department. "This partnership pulls together all the components needed to help these Mansfield students succeed in careers in manufacturing. We're also helping our local industries succeed by assisting them in getting trained workers for their businesses."

  

  

Group Picture (Left to Right):

Pat Jamison, Business Retention Manager, MEDC, Jim Linahan, VP of Operations, Fluidic Techniques, Tom Blanton, President, Fluidic Techniques, Marji Hutchison, HR Manager, Klein Tools, Catherine Hudgins, Principal, MISD Ben Barber Career and Tech Academy, Amber Gosser, Business Services Director, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County,  Scott Welmaker, Economic Development Director, MEDC and David Cook, Mayor of Mansfield.

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 partner on/ 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):

 

Mark Your Calendars:

  • UTA will host their Spring Job Fair on February 24, 2015 at the Maverick Activity Center. The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Workforce Solutions will have a booth at this event.
  • The HEB Expo, hosted by the HEB Chamber of Commerce will be at Hurst Convention Center, March 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Workforce Solutions will have a booth at this event.
  • Job Fair and Career Expo for Youth and Young Adults - Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Arlingtonanswers.com and The Arlington Rotary will partner for a spring job fair on March 13, 2015.  This event is targeted for ages 16-24, but all job seekers are welcome. It will be held at First United Methodist Church in Arlington.  See the next newsletter story for the flyer (or check our website).
  • Job Fair for Women and Women Veterans - Grace After Fire Conference and Career Fair - March 20-21, 2015 at the Arlington Hilton - This events target audience is Women and Women Veterans.We should have more details to share soon.
  • Tarrant County College All Campus' Job Fair will be held on April 16, 2015 at the South Campus. The event will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Workforce Solutions is proud to be Platinum Sponsor of this event. 
  • Spring Job Fair - Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and Arlingtonanswers.com will partner again for our spring job fair on April 23, 2015.  It will be held at the Grace Community Church in Arlington from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Job Seeker and Employer Registration will be open soon, check our website for more details.
  • The Alliance Texas Job Fair has been scheduled for May 2015 (stay turned for actual date, we are working with Texas Motor Speedway to finalize) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. We should have more details to share soon.

 

Job Fair and Career Expo for Youth and Young Adults

Join Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, The City of Arlington, Rotary Club of Arlington, Rotary Club of Arlington Sunset and ArlingtonAnswers.com as we host a Job Fair and Career Expo for Youth and Young Adults. March 13, 2015 join us at First United Methodist Church in Arlington from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This event is targeted for ages 16-24, but all job seekers are welcome to attend. 

 

Job Seekers: For more information and to get your fast pass and avoid the lines on Job Fair day click the image below:

  

 

Employment Success Highlights

If you have not checked out our new Workforce Service Report then I encourage you to check it out in this month's Board Packet (which can be found online). It is produced by our contractor C2 and contains lots of great numbers and information about our Workforce Centers and the great ways we are Keeping Tarrant County Working. 

  • Alliance Opportunity Center - Dislocated (Laid Off) Worker customer hired full time by Texas Quality Beverage making $50,000.
  • Arlington Workforce Center -Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customer was hired full time by Novo 1 making $22,940.
  • Eastside Workforce Center -Dislocated Worker customer received Individual Training Account (ITA) in IT. The customer graduated on 12/9/14 and is now employed with TRC Companies Inc. making $31,284.
  • Mid-Cities Workforce Center -Dislocated Worker/National Emergency Grant (NEG) customer received Individual Training Account (ITA) in IT. The customer graduated on 8/4/14 and is now employed with Verizon Communications making $72,800.
  • The Fresh Market a North Carolina-based grocery chain opened its Southlake location on Wednesday January 14th. The Alliance Opportunity Center and Mid-Cities Workforce Center staff assisted in the promotion, recruitment, and prescreening of the event.  A Letter of Appreciation was received in response to the overwhelming success of the career open house held in September.
  • Northside Workforce Center -National Emergency Grant (NEG) customer received Individual Training Account (ITA) as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Customer graduated on 11/26/14 and is now employed with Heart to Heart Hospice making $28,080
  • Resource Connection Workforce Center - Dislocated Worker customer received Individual Training Account (ITA) in IT. The customer graduated on 8/14/14 and is now employed with NCR Corporation making $43,326.
Blue Zones Project Kick-Off Event 

What if you could transform well-being in Fort Worth and make the healthy choice the easy choice? You can! Join us on Saturday, February 21 for the Blue Zones Project Kick-off Event. It's free, family friendly, and will feature a special presentation by Dan Buettner, the best-selling author of "The Blue Zones." To Learn more and to register click the image below.


 


 

Workforce Alerts and the Website Calendar

 

 

 

Sign Up for Workforce Alerts: Sign up for our Workforce Alerts... to stay on top of all of our Latest News. Some of the items you will see, include: Latest Labor Market Information, Our Newsletter, Calendar Changes and Special Events. Believe me you do not want to miss it! 

 

On our website (www.workforcesolutions.net) you will find a calendar of events: Please make sure you check this calendar as it will have the most up to date Board location and meeting information. You can also find information about the job fairs that we take part in. Board Members, if there are items you would like to see on the website that might make your outreach efforts easier please contact Lacey Douglas by email at [email protected]
FACT Partners attend Texas Family Engagement Conference 

Workforce Solutions supported attendance for FACT community partners working in collaboration with the FACT fatherhood Project (Fathers And Children Together), to participate in a 2-day training conference held at the University of Houston on Feb. 3-4.  The focus of the training was to enhance outreach and engagement strategies targeting Hispanic and African-American populations by organizations whose services impact low-income neighborhoods characterized by these demographic groups.   Fathers and other parents currently enrolled in the FACT program are predominantly from minority communities.  Effective outreach and holistic services to low-income families will be a critical strategy for current fatherhood programs like FACT that will seek continuation grant funds through the Office of Family Assistance, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).   More emphasis on 'family engagement' is reflective of the new title for this funding-- "New Pathways for Fathers and Families," in contrast to the previous funding title-- "Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood." Over 200 practitioners from Texas cities were in attendance at the conference.

 

The conference featured nationally renowned leaders in the responsible fatherhood field--  Kenneth Braswell, Executive Director of Fathers Incorporated and Patrick Patterson, Project Manager at the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and Senior Manager with ICF International.  Both speakers provided practical insights on ways to effectively engage these communities as well as an overview of best practices in the fatherhood field.

 

Attendees included staff from the following FACT Partner agencies- Workforce Solutions (Curtrecia Chatmon, Andre Johnson, and Patricia Roland); Guinn Healthcare Technologies (Joel Martinez); NewDay Services (Carolyn Johnson, Patrick McGrew and Von Diggs); Texas ReEntry Services (George Sance); and Board staff FACT Project Director Mervil Johnson, Workforce Solutions.  

 

For additional information about this training or the FACT Project, please contact Mervil Johnson at the Board Office (817.413.4000).  

 

Pictures 

 

 

The wonderful members of our Workforce Governing Board (WGB) at this years Annual Awards Board Meeting. From left to right: Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and WGB Chair and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley

 

 

Annual Awards Meeting - Local Employer of the Year Winner - Klein Tools

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Michael Klein, Owner/Director of Advanced Manufacturing for Klein Tools, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 

Annual Awards - Quality Child Care Winner -  Child Care Associates

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Rita Morris CCMS Director, Kara Waddell President and CEO of Child Care Associates, Terri Kilman Program Support Manager for CCMS, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 

Annual Awards Winner - Industry Sector Award Winners - Advanced Precision Metal (APM) Manufacturing Training Program Klein ToolsTrinity ForgeMansfield Independent School District

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Myron Johnson, Class Instructor for Ben Barber Career Tech Academy, Catherine Hudgins, Principal for Ben Barber Career Tech Academy, Pat Jamison, Retention Manager for the Mansfield Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michael Klein, Owner/Director of Advanced Manufacturing for Klein Tools, Dick Johnston, President of Trinity Forge, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker.
 

 

Annual Awards - 2014 Service to Business Award - Economic Development Team - Fort Worth Chamber of CommerceTarrant County College

Picture from Left to Right: 
Pat Jamison, Retention Manager for the Mansfield Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Jay Chapa Housing and Economic Development Director for the City of Fort Worth, David Berzina, Board Member and Executive VP, Economic Development for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Hawkins, Director of Corporate Services and Economic Development for Tarrant County College, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 

Annual Awards - Service to Community Award Winner Captain Gil Miller 

Picture from Left to Right: 
Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker, Board Chair Keith Muskrat, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Captain Gil Miller Commanding Officer of the Fort Worth Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. 

 

 

Annual Awards - 2014 Service to Community Award Winner - Troy Vaughn - Tarrant County College

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Troy Vaugh, Associate Vice Chancellor for Continuing Education Services for Tarrant County College (TCC) District, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 Annual Awards - 2014 UnSung Hero (State) Winner - Kwame Thomas and Liz Adams -  Texas Workforce Commission (official)

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Tina Hale with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) accepting on Liz Adams behalf, Kwame Thomas, Program Specialists with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker.

 

 

Annual Awards - 2014 UnSung Hero (Local) Award Winner - Cynthia Fisher Miller - Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Cynthia Fisher Miller, PhD., Senior Director, Workforce Development and Education for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 Annual Awards Meeting - 2014 Adult Customer Success Story Winner - Von Diggs

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Von Diggs, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat, Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker and Mervil Johnson, FACT Director for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.

 

 

Annual Awards - 2014 Youth Customer Success Story Winner - Stacie Whitlow Bridges 

Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Stacie Whitlow Bridges, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 

Annual Awards - 2014 Vandergriff Leadership Award - Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley Tarrant County College


Picture from Left to Right: 
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Louise Appleman, Board Member and President of the Tarrant County College Board of Trustees, Angela Robinson, Vice Chancellor for Administration and General Counsel (accepted on Chancellor Hadley's behalf), Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and Board Vice-Chair Estrus Tucker. 

 

 
 
The Past Presidents of the WDC Council. We are so proud of Laurie Larrea (in the red) as she just concluded her term as President. You have done Texas proud Laurie!
 


 
WDC President and Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas President, Laurie Larrea with Paige Shevlin, Senior Policy Advisor National Economic Council for the White House, at the last WDC Council Meeting in January. This was Laurie's last meeting as President of the WDC Council and as always she made us proud. 

 

 

Board Member, David Berzina, EVP Economic Development & Bill Thornton, Chamber president and CEO suited up to take a tour of the expanding Dannon plant with Plant Manager Robert Reed. Near Southside, Fort Worth. Information and photo curtsey of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page. 

Calendar of Events
Board and Committee Meetings:  
(for the latest information please make sure to check our website calendar)

 

February
  • February 11, 2015 - Workforce Development Board Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - Botanic Gardens 
  • February 16, 2015 - Workforce Center's and Board Office closed for Presidents' Day
  • February 19, 2015 - IAWG Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - Goodwill Industries
  • February 25, 2015 - Aerospace Cluster Meeting - 2:30 p.m. - Large Conference Room

 

March 
  • Month of March - We do not have a Workforce Development or Governing Board Meetings
  • March 4, 2015 - 2015 Mayor Price's State of the City Address - 11:30 a.m. - Fort Worth Convention Center Ballroom (seats available)
  • March 5, 2015 - State of the County Address - 11:30 a.m. Sheraton Arlington Hotel  (seats available)

Future Calendar Dates

  • February 21, 2015 - Blue Zone Project Kick-Off Event
  • March 28-31, 2015 - NAWB Forum, Washington DC

2015 Board of Directors
 

 

Workforce Governing Board
Judge Glen Whitley, Chair
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price

Workforce Development Board
Keith Muskrat, Workforce Development Board Chair
Estrus Tucker, Workforce Development Board Vice-Chair
Judy McDonald, Executive Director

Board Members:

Louise Appleman                        

Mark Barberena             

David Berzina               

Lillie Biggins 

Dr. Marcelo Cavazos                                

Pam Dawson

Carlos DeLa Torre           

Mike Doyle                      

Jerilyn Edmonds  

Charlie Galupi           

Jane Goodenough

Jon Gustafson            

Tracy Hays 

Deb Jones

Michael Klein              

Peter Kleven

William Krohn

Jennifer Limas

Dr. Lisa London 

Tim McKinney

Rosa Navejar

Vickie Powell

Buddy Puente

Dr. Di Ann Sanchez

Leslie Sisk

Tyrone Taylor

Gracie Vega

 
Connect With Us on Social Media
 

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Workforce Solutions for Tarrant is committed to Keeping Tarrant County Working!

 

More information about our events, services, programs and Workforce Center locations is available on our website.

 

 

Need more information about something listed in this newsletter?  Contact Lacey Douglas, Communications and Events Manager at [email protected]

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