February What's New Archive

Hearing Officers (2/26/09)

It is time to update the Area 7 list of sub-grantee Equal Opportunity and Hearing Officers. Please check your e-mail February 27th for the spreadsheet and send any changes to Fran at massief@clarkstate.edu by March 13, 2009 (please be sure to add EEO and your county name in the subject line). Please highlight your changes in yellow. For more information on hearing officers, see policy P7-202: Complaint Procedure. To view a downloadable Complaint Procedure Brochure click here.

Northwest Ohio Job Center of Williams County Shares Q & A and Initial Assessment Packet (2/17/09)

During a recent webinar, questions came up about eligibility and suitability for WIA Training grants. Northwest Job Centers of Williams County referenced the attached “Assessment Packet” they are using to help them through the process of determining suitability for training. Northwest refers to what would normally be called an orientation as a workshop. Workshop does not imply that they have entered into the training mode of WIA.

Click here to view the Information Sheet

Click here to view the packet

Relationship Disclosure Sample Form (2/12/09)

Erie County has drafted a document to glean information necessary concerning "relationship to employees and stake holders." The document can be amended to meet your county's specific needs. Click here to view the sample.

CAA Given New Life (2/12/09)

Additional dollars are now available for CAA. Counties may again submit CAA applications to Robin Rice. It is anticipated that the new money will be able to train about 650 new customers at up to $6,000 each. All training needs to be completed by June 30, 2009. Customers need to be affiliated with a WARN or a domestic auto situation to be eligible for CAA..

Governor Strickland Releases Education Plan (2/12/09)

From Governor Strickland's Plan:
It has become clear that simply tinkering with centuries-old education practices will not prepare Ohio's children for success in college, for success in the workplace, or for success in life. Our education system must be student centered. We must teach to eacch individual student's needs and recognize that this is the surest path to seeing our young people reach their full potential. This must be balanced with a system that is transparent and accountable and our funding must provide the resources for our reforms. We must make bold changes for the 21st century. Click here to view his plan.

Steps to Training Flow Chart (2/12/09)

Seneca County is sharing a "Steps to Training" chart as a desk aide for explaining WIA flow to customers. Click here to view the chart.

2009 County Emergency Plan (2/12/09)

The ODJFS Office of the Chief Inspector has developed a county agency closure/relocation procedure to be utilized in the event of an emergency. The process has been developed to ensure essential information is relayed to employees as quickly as possible and will allow us to continue providing critical services to our customers in spite of any extenuating circumstances. Click here to view details.

MOU Negotiations (02/10/09)

Many of you have begun the process of re-negotiating MOUs and cost-sharing agreements to meet the deadlines set forth by ODJFS and, in turn, Area 7. You have also heard from me, state partners, and others that state partners are considering asking us for a month-to-month extension on their commitments heading into the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2009.

After conferring with staff at ODJFS the following is how I advise you to handle your negotiation schedule. It is still the intent of our state partners to have MOUs negotiated and administered by the new fiscal year, July 1, 2009. As a measure of precaution and due to the uncertainty of funding and staffing levels, the state partners of our One Stops are working on the month-to-month contingency in the first months of the new fiscal year. They have advised us to postpone MOU negotiations until they can commit to a resource plan and course of action.

As you know, a postponement puts MOU finalization deadlines at risk. ODJFS will be flexible on their timelines and Area 7, in turn, will be flexible as well.

In short, the state is working to ensure that all partners will have MOUs and methods of payment in place for the new fiscal year. In the short term, postpone your negotiations. The state's (and Area 7's) deadlines are going to be flexible. At this point we don't have any firm deadlines.

Area 7 will communicate with ODJFS frequently to ensure we are getting the latest updates. If you have questions, please contact us at area7@clarkstate.edu.

Career Advancement Account (CAA) Plateau Recognized (3/05/09)

Hard work and partnership with the state has raised the number of CAA approvals to 1000 customers. Clinton County received recognition for enrolling the #1000 CAA Participant. Congratulations to Clinton County. To view the recognition click here.

Expand Ohio Education Network (02/05/09)

Chancellor seeks proposals to expand Ohio Education Network that puts adults on a path to college degrees.

COLUMBUS - Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut today announced the availability of state and federal funds for the provision of adult basic and literacy education services. Two requests for proposals (RFPs) were issued seeking bids from local education agencies and public and private nonprofit agencies including community-based organizations, volunteer literacy organizations, institutions of higher education, libraries, public housing authorities, and other nonprofit agencies. The intent of the RFPs is to establish a network of adult literacy providers to offer adults a variety of options to pursue basic skills, English language acquisition, General Educational Development (GED) preparation, post-secondary education and education related to employment. The Chancellor wants to offer classes on and off college campuses and in a variety of formats, including distance learning.

“In order for Ohio to compete with leading states and nations, we must continuously improve the educational attainment level of Ohio’s workforce,” said Chancellor Fingerhut. “With the transfer of the adult workforce education and training network to the University System of Ohio, ABLE programs play a key role in providing a network of adult education programs focused on helping adults become college ready. This competitive grant process ensures that adults will have access to programs in a wider range of locations, offering alternative paths to college.”

Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) Instructional Grant -The ABLE Instructional Grant established programs that will assist adults to develop literacy skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; obtain educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and to provide educational skills necessary for completion of a secondary
level of education.

English Literacy and Civics (EL/Civics) Education Grant - The primary purpose of the EL/Civics Education Grant is to provide limited English proficient adults with English literacy education that integrates civics instruction on understanding and navigating American government and public education systems, the workplace and other key American institutions.

Timeline - The ABLE Instructional Grant RFP and English Literacy and Civics Education Grant RFP require that all proposals be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2009, in order to be considered for funding.

The RFPs will be discussed during “Bidders Videoconferences” on February 6 and February 13, 2009, at various County Department of Job and Family Service offices throughout the state. Potential providers from Allen through Lake counties can join the call from 9-11:30 a.m. and those from Lawrence through Wyandot counties from 1-3:30 p.m. on either date. The Bidders Videoconferences provide an opportunity to review and discuss the RFPs, as well as provide proposing agencies and organizations the chance to ask questions about the RFPs and process.

Additional information about the RFPs, as well as information on how to register for the Bidders Videoconferences can be found at
www.uso.edu/network/workforce/rfps. Information on Ohio’s 116 currently funded ABLE programs, as part of the state’s University System of Ohio, can be found at http://www.uso.edu/network/workforce/index.php.

FY 2010 ABLE Instructional Grant and the English Literacy and Civics Education Grant Timelines

* At various County Department of Job and Family Services offices
9:00am - 11:30am for Allen through Lake Counties
1:00pm - 3:30pm for Lawerence through Wyandot Counties.

Visit www.uso.edu/network/workforce/rfps for registration information.

About the Ohio Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) program The Ohio Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) programs, along with the Adult Workforce Education Centers, transferred from the Ohio Department of Education to the Ohio Board of Regents on January 1, 2009. They are an integral part of the University System of Ohio, which consists of 14 universities, 24 regional branch campuses, 23 community colleges and now more than 200 adult workforce centers and ABLE programs. This integration will allow the development of an efficient system for adult students who enter the University System of Ohio.

MOU (11/20/08)

It’s that time again. MOU time that is!!!!
Area 7 will do a 2 year MOU that covers July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 and July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011. Forms customized by systems are available now by clicking here.

The completed MOU is due in the Area 7 Administration office by February 25, 2009.

Need assistance? Contact your Regional Representative.

ODJFS released a Guidance and Template for the upcoming MOU. These documents have been added to your System’s MOU Customized Attachment page