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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7087 tIVflRMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7087 January 28, 1986 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council X 0 Subject:JTPA TITLE II-A PROGRAM ACTIVITIES leis In August 1985 the Private Industry Council submitted an annual report to the City Council on the Job Training Partnership act program and activities. The report discussed; ( 1) program accomplishments, (2) an outline of available employment and training activities, (3) statistical information related to each activity and (4) proposed goals for 1985 and 86. The information that follows is a status report on the first six months of operation for the 1985-86 program year. It is the desire of the PIC to provide an update on accomplishments related to high priority goals. ' Goal 1. "Expand client recruitment efforts to increase enrollment levels of under served groups". Accomplishments: The PIC and the Employment and Training Department staff has modified some of the program recruitment literature and is presently in the process of reviewing the total Public Relations activity. This effort will be supported by a group of volunteers from local ad firms, T.V. and radio stations. In addition to the revisions in media materials the program has established collaborative agreements with several human service organizations, local school districts and community leaders. ' It is evident that these efforts have already had an impact on client flow. As of December 31 , 1985, 2 , 773 applicants had requested assistance; this number compared to 1,963 for the same period (first 6 months of operations) in 1984, which equates to a 41% increase in client flow. Goal 2. Implement two new programs: - Project Self-Sufficiency - Parallel Job Placement Program Accomplishments: The Women's Center administers Project Self-Sufficiency, a demonstration project authorized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . The goal of the project is to provide 100 housing certificates to eligible clients and place them into unsubsidized jobs. The Women' s Center, in collaboration with the Fort Worth Housing Authority and the departments of Employment and Training and Housing and Human Services , are working to insure that the projected goal is achieved. Statistical information on this project is included in the Participant Status Report, on attachment page of this I.R. [ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 70a7 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 28, 1986 Subject: iTPA TITLE 11-A PROGRAM ACTIVITIES eaa A Parallel Program is based on a concept developed by the PIC to serve any unemployed person regardless of their economic status. The first phase of this program is to employ two field recruiters . By implementing this approach for client recruitment the PIC envisions an increase in program visibility and more direct contact with the client community. The recruiters will be employed by the PIC and the concept will be evaluated during the demonstration period for effectiveness. Should it prove to be effective it will be continued on a permanent basis. Goal 3. Design and implement a comprehensive program for "youth-at-risk" and high school dropouts. Accomplishments: Two out-of-school activities were recently funded and are being implemented by the Fort Worth ISD and Cassata Learning Center. These were funded in view of the increasing number of high school dropouts and the mandates of JTPA to service youth. The Fort Worth Independent School District (Adult Basic Education Division) provides GED preparation classes, job placement assistance and/or encourage dropouts to return to high school to complete their education. This activity also provides part-time employment opportunities during the training period. The district has the flexibility of offering program services for 113 dropouts at 24 area adult Basic Education Centers. The Cassata Learning Center' s program is designed to serve 120 dropouts at learning centers strategically located within the Fort Worth service area . This agency will offer a competency-based education program designed to meet the individual needs of each student . Students will be assisted to obtain their high school diplomas or GED, provided individualized counseling service, and job placement assistance. In addition to the above programs The Working Connection staff is currently researching the possibilities of coordinated program with the adolescent pregnancy services operating at New Lives School. A pilot program to provide work experience and group and individual counseling for teen mothers will involve serving ten (10) youth from New Lives School and ten (10) from Polytechnic High School. Worksites will be developed at the schools, and class schedules would be modified to allow for work time. Goal 4. To ensure that excess funds from prior years are expanded in an efficient and effective manner. Accomplishments : During the prior program year, (1984) the Working Connection administered different contracts for youth and adult programs. To ensure that excess funds are obligated and effectively expended during the present program year, (1985), contracts for program activities now stands at 20 as compared to 8 last year. LISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7087 - p.3 JO?T To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 28, 1986 X Subject: JTPA TITLE II-A PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 1071 Present contracts for program operations are as follows: No. of Contracts Contractor 7 Fort Worth ISD 3 Texas Employment Commission 3 The Women's Center 1 Association for Retarded Citizens I CareerWorks, Inc. 1 Goodwill Industries 1 Near SE Side Neighborhood Dev. Corp. I Roofers Local #123 1 Texas Conservation Corp. 1 Cassata Learning Center To date most of the budget appropriated for FY 85; $5, 124,213 , ($2,491,949 and the carried over from FY 84, $2,632 ,264) has been obligated to the twenty different contractors. Remaining funds are being used to finance the administrative and operational activities of The Working Connection. Coal 5. Undertake efforts to increase the participation of private employers. Accomplishments: The PIC and members of the staff are presently negotiating customized training programs with two local employers. Once finalized the expected outcome of these programs should result in 65 to 90 job placements for JTPA participants. In addition, discussions are also underway with a typography firm that will be relocating from New York to the Fort Worth area. To encourage coordination and develop more comprehensive programs for at-risk youth, the PIC has established an Education Advisory Committee. Membership of this committee consists of representatives from, Fort Worth, Arlington, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Birdville, White Settlement , and Tarrant County Junior College Districts. This Advisory group will develop recommendations for the PIC' s basic education and vocational activities for youth and hard to serve adults . In general , recommendations will address dropout prevention, basic skills training, pre-employment skills, training and specialized counseling programs. Should members of the City Council desire additional information on operations and performance of The Working Connection, it shall be submitted upon request. Douglas Harman City Manager Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS