The IEDC has highlighted two upcoming webinars (both free) that are designed to provide practitioner-based information on using federal funds for economic recovery and workforce training following a major event. The first -
"How to Successfully Collaborate with Federal Partners in Disaster Recovery"- features IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle. The second webinar will address
"Transitioning Skills to New Market Realities - Developing Workforce Training Programs in Disaster-Impacted Communities." Jasen Jones, Executive Director Workforce Investment Board Southwest Missouri in Joplin, MO, is one of the featured speakers in that session. He will be joined by Barbara Johnson who helped lead workforce training initiatives for Greater New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in her capacity at the Greater New Orleans, Inc.
How to Successfully Collaborate with Federal Partners in Disaster RecoveryWhen: October 28, 2013 | 2:30 - 4:00pm Eastern
Price: Free
IEDC will host a webinar on how local and state officials can effectively collaborate with federal agencies on economic and business recovery efforts following a major disaster. The federal government is a significant resource for disaster preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery. Yet, navigating the labyrinth of various agencies, programs, and requirements can be an intimidating process. This webinar is designed to help economic developers understand how to more effectively access disaster recovery resources in the federal system. It will also provide highlights and tips from actual disaster recovery professionals on how to maximize available federal government resources and address potential roadblocks along the way to recover.
Attendees will learn:
* About the various federal tools and programs to assist in economic recovery and how local economic development interests can more effectively use these federal resources
* Details on the federal government's new National Disaster Recovery Framework
* How the federal government interacts with and assists state and local recovery stakeholders.
Speaker: Jeff Finkle
President & CEO
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Jeff Finkle, IEDC's President and CEO, has worked on economic development issues for almost 30 years, first with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and then as Executive Director of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED), which became known as the International Economic Development Council in 2001. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of disaster preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery for economic development organizations (EDOs).
Register today to learn about
How to Successfully Collaborate with Federal Partners in Disaster Recovery! Coming Soon: Transitioning Skills to New Market Realities - Developing Workforce Training Programs in Disaster-Impacted CommunitiesWhen: November 20, 2013 | 2:00 - 3:30pm Eastern
Price: Free
A major disaster can disrupt market flows and impact local businesses in ways beyond the imagination. Either temporary business closures or permanent business relocations can cause major redundancies for the local workforce as well as discourage new talent from moving into the impacted communities. The situation can also exacerbate difficulties faced by disadvantaged populations.
This webinar will explore how economic developers can work with workforce development organizations to develop and implement new training programs that are based on changing market realities caused by the event. Learn about the process to identify skills to address business needs that help to strengthen the region's recovery and growth prospects. Speakers will present case examples from Joplin, Missouri following their EF-5 tornado and Katrina- impacted communities.
Attendees will learn:
* How to leverage additional federal funds to support workforce systems already in place
* About best practices to engage private employers in your workforce training efforts
* Strategies to tie disaster recovery workforce initiatives to growing industrial sectors/clusters within your region.
Speakers: Jasen Jones
Executive Director
Workforce Investment Board Southwest Missouri in Joplin, MO
Since 2003, Jasen Jones has lead the Southwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board in Joplin, MO to successfully integrate economic development and workforce development. Mr. Jones will share experiences of implementing an innovative workforce training program following the EF-5 tornado in 2011.
Barbara Johnson
Principal
The Johnson Group In New Orleans, LA
With over 20 years as a leader and practitioner, Barbara Johnson has held executive positions in economic and community development that have led community change in the New Orleans Region.
While at Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.), she led workforce training initiatives for Greater New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Register today to learn about
Developing Workforce Training Programs in Disaster-Impacted Communities! 
