2016 Impact Report
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
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<strong>2016</strong><br />
IMPACT REPORT<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS<br />
Serving the counties of Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan
VISION<br />
A highly valued workforce system that meets the<br />
economic demands of the Heart of Texas communities.<br />
MISSION<br />
To provide a well-trained workforce for employers in order<br />
to ensure the economic growth of the region.
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
04<br />
Letter from the<br />
Board Chair & the<br />
Executive Director<br />
Heart of Texas<br />
Workforce Development<br />
Board, Inc.<br />
05 06 08<br />
Employers Honored<br />
at State Level<br />
Connecting Veterans<br />
to Employment<br />
10<br />
12 14 16<br />
Meeting Employer<br />
Workforce Needs<br />
Equipping and<br />
Connecting Job Seekers<br />
Investing in Quality<br />
Child Care<br />
Preparing a Well-<br />
Trained Workforce<br />
18 20 22 23<br />
LINK Employment<br />
Transportation<br />
State Recognition<br />
for the Heart of<br />
Texas Region<br />
Annual Awards<br />
of Excellence<br />
Financial Data
Letter from the Board Chair and the Executive Director<br />
Dear Colleagues and Friends:<br />
It is our pleasure to present to you the Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas <strong>2016</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Report</strong>.<br />
The impact report shares with you our successes throughout the year and our continued commitment to<br />
our vision, mission, and to the Heart of Texas region that we serve.<br />
During the past year, we have had the privilege of serving 24,505 job seekers in their search for employment<br />
and in helping 1,581 employers to fill 5,240 job openings. We are proud of the trust that our veterans<br />
have placed in us to help them secure employment and we remain steadfast in assisting Unemployment<br />
Insurance claimants, welfare recipients, and all other job seekers to become employed.<br />
We are proud of the work that we have accomplished in helping 3,258 children to receive high quality<br />
child care and in preparing our youth for workforce success through in-demand occupational training<br />
and education. We are also proud of our employers who were recognized at the state level this year and<br />
are excited that our own efforts were recognized at the state level as well.<br />
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and sponsors for their support throughout<br />
the year. We would also like to thank our Chief Elected Officials, Board of Directors, and Committee<br />
members for their continued guidance and wise counsel.<br />
Looking forward, we are committed to taking action every day to shape our future and deliver meaningful<br />
services to our job seekers, employers, community, stakeholders, and to the Heart of Texas region.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Teodoro (Ted) Taveras<br />
Board Chair<br />
Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc.<br />
Anthony Billings<br />
Executive Director<br />
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas<br />
4<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc.<br />
Serving the Counties of Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone & McLennan<br />
CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIALS<br />
Judge Justin Lewis<br />
(Lead Chief Elected Official)<br />
Hill County<br />
Judge Don Pool<br />
Bosque County<br />
BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
Teodoro (Ted) Taveras<br />
Board Chair<br />
Limestone County<br />
Norman Conner<br />
Chair-Elect<br />
McLennan County<br />
Alvin Pollard, Sr.<br />
Secretary Parliamentarian<br />
McLennan County<br />
Shirley Crockett<br />
Treasurer<br />
McLennan County<br />
Keith Stanford<br />
At-Large Member<br />
Diane Cowan<br />
Oversight Committee Chair<br />
McLennan County<br />
Willis Reese<br />
Past Chair<br />
Falls County<br />
Judge Jay Elliott<br />
Falls County<br />
Judge Linda Grant<br />
Freestone County<br />
Judge Daniel Burkeen<br />
Limestone County<br />
Gaylan Beavers<br />
McLennan County<br />
Linda Calhoun<br />
Bosque County<br />
Wesley Carter<br />
McLennan County<br />
Howard Childs<br />
McLennan County<br />
Clyff Curry<br />
All Counties<br />
Warren Davis<br />
Freestone County<br />
Richard (Ricky) Edison<br />
Hill County<br />
Laura Harborth<br />
Hill County<br />
Robert Humphrey<br />
McLennan County<br />
Judge Scott Felton<br />
McLennan County<br />
Mayor Kyle Deaver<br />
City of Waco<br />
Bill Hunter<br />
McLennan County<br />
Paige Key<br />
Bosque County<br />
Pam McPeak<br />
McLennan County<br />
Apurva Naik<br />
All Counties<br />
Roy Nash<br />
McLennan County<br />
Leahna Risi<br />
McLennan County<br />
Celia Stem<br />
Falls County<br />
Kathleen (Kathy) Stubbs<br />
Limestone County<br />
Sandra Whitlatch<br />
McLennan County<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 5
Employers Honored at State Level<br />
From the Heart of Texas Region<br />
Falls Community Hospital & Clinic honored as a <strong>2016</strong> Small Employer of the Year finalist<br />
At this year’s Texas Workforce Commission’s 20th Annual Workforce Conference, held in December<br />
<strong>2016</strong>, Falls Community Hospital & Clinic was honored as a top finalist for the <strong>2016</strong> Texas Workforce<br />
Solutions Small Employer of the Year. Nominated by Workforce Solutions, Falls Community Hospital &<br />
Clinic was chosen from 23 private-sector small employers for their commitment to the Texas workforce<br />
system.<br />
(Pictured from left to right: TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar, TWC Commissioner Ruth Hughs, James Hayes, Jr., Sarah Jesko, Billie<br />
Johnson, Peggy Polster, Jan Stimmel-Beltran, and John Graham - Falls Community Hospital & Clinic, Mrs. Willis (Joyce) Reese, Past<br />
Chair & Board Member Willis Reese, Falls Community Hospital & Clinic, Board Chair Teodoro Taveras, and TWC Commissioner<br />
Julian Alvarez III)<br />
6<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
Domtar Personal Care honored as Local Employer of Excellence<br />
Domtar Personal Care, LLC. was also honored as the Local Employer of Excellence for the Heart of<br />
Texas workforce development board area at the Texas Workforce Commission’s 20th Annual Workforce<br />
Conference. Nominated by Workforce Solutions, Domtar Personal Care, LLC. utilized the workforce<br />
system to significantly impact the economy and workforce in the Heart of Texas.<br />
(Pictured from left to right: TWC Chairman-Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar, Commissioner Representing<br />
Employers Ruth R. Hughs , Domtar Financial Manager Richard Furnace , Domtar Plant Manager Greg Linscott, Board Chair Teodoro<br />
Taveras, and Julian Alvarez III - Commissioner Representing Labor)<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 7
Connecting Veterans to Employment<br />
Our Priority of Service<br />
Workforce Solutions recognizes the skills and talent that<br />
veterans bring to the workforce and directly connecting veterans<br />
to employment opportunities is our priority.<br />
Each day, Workforce Solutions aids veterans transitioning into<br />
the civilian workforce by providing services such as job search<br />
techniques, resume assistance, and direct job referrals that help<br />
veterans to secure employment. As a result of our efforts, this<br />
year Workforce Solutions provided services to 2,168 veterans<br />
which included 393 disabled veterans.<br />
Workforce Solutions held 373 job fairs over the year. Two job<br />
fairs were specifically held for veterans. In May, Workforce<br />
Solutions partnered with the Texas Veterans Commission to<br />
host a Veterans Job Fair.<br />
In November, Workforce Solutions partnered with the Texas<br />
Workforce Commission, the Texas Medical Center, and the<br />
Texas Veterans Commission to host the annual Red, White &<br />
You! Veterans Job Fair.<br />
By increasing the opportunities for veterans to connect with<br />
hiring employers and through collaborative partnerships,<br />
Workforce Solutions helped 1,206 veterans to secure<br />
employment.<br />
1,206<br />
Veterans Employed<br />
84.1%<br />
Veterans Retained<br />
Employment<br />
393<br />
Disabled Veterans<br />
Served<br />
8<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
2,168<br />
Total Veterans Served<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 9
Meeting Employer Workforce Needs<br />
With Results-Driven Business Services<br />
Meeting the workforce needs of employers with results driven<br />
services is critical to employers and is what drives the efforts of<br />
our Business Services.<br />
This year, Workforce Solutions Business Services served 1,581<br />
employers in the Heart of Texas. Business services provided to<br />
employers included:<br />
• Filling 5,240 job openings for employers<br />
• Assisting employers to post 788 effective job openings<br />
that attract qualified candidates<br />
• Planning and executing 373 job fairs to connect<br />
employers to job seekers<br />
• Conducting rapid response services to employers that<br />
affected 93 employees<br />
• Providing 65 employers with professional interview<br />
rooms to conduct on-site interviews<br />
As a result of our efforts, Workforce Solutions ranked sixth in the<br />
state among workforce development boards for total employers<br />
served.<br />
Meeting employer workforce needs that result in connecting<br />
qualified candidates who are trained and equipped with the right<br />
skills with job openings is what Workforce Solutions Business<br />
Services takes pride in.<br />
1,581<br />
Total Employers<br />
Served<br />
RANKED<br />
6 th<br />
In the state for Total<br />
Employers Served<br />
373<br />
Job Fairs held<br />
for Employers<br />
10<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
5,240<br />
Total Job Openings<br />
Filled for Employers<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 11
Equipping and Connecting Job Seekers<br />
For Successful Employment<br />
Equipping job seekers with the skills needed for successful<br />
employment and directly connecting them to hiring employers is<br />
at the heart of what Workforce Solutions does.<br />
This year, Workforce Solutions provided services to 24,505<br />
job seekers in search of employment. Among those receiving<br />
workforce services were:<br />
• 7,489 Unemployment Insurance claimants<br />
• 2,339 Welfare Recipients<br />
• 2,168 Veterans<br />
• 846 Ex-Offenders<br />
Through these efforts, 14,765 job seekers secured employment.<br />
Those securing employment included:<br />
• 5,131 Unemployment Insurance claimants<br />
• 1,209 Veterans<br />
• 452 Ex-offenders<br />
• 297 Welfare Recipients<br />
Job seekers participating in a workforce training service such as<br />
vocational training or working towards completing a GED, saw<br />
an average annual earnings increase of $14,312.<br />
14,765<br />
Total Job Seekers<br />
Employed<br />
$14,312<br />
Average Annual Earnings<br />
Increase for Job Seekers<br />
participating in a Workforce<br />
Training Service<br />
69%<br />
72%<br />
76%<br />
77%<br />
2013 2014 2015 <strong>2016</strong><br />
Percentage of<br />
Job Seekers<br />
Employed<br />
12<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
24,505<br />
Total Job Seekers Assisted<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 13
Investing in Quality Child Care<br />
<strong>Impact</strong>ing the Current & Future Workforce<br />
Workforce Solutions Child Care Services (CCS) supports<br />
families, both single and two-parent, who depend on child care<br />
to work. CCS assistance also allows parents to earn high school<br />
diplomas, GEDs, and complete post-secondary education or<br />
skills training.<br />
This year, Workforce Solutions provided access to affordable,<br />
high-quality child care for 3,258 children who received child<br />
care services that benefited 1,745 families.<br />
Workforce Solutions also supports the child care industry<br />
through numerous quality improvement projects that target<br />
five critical components of quality education:<br />
• Strong Leaders<br />
• Community Partners<br />
• Qualified Teachers<br />
• Parent Engagement<br />
• Appropriate Learning Environments<br />
Quality Child Care Projects accomplished this year included:<br />
• Provider Training – offered 40 trainings, 225 training<br />
hours, and trained 1,225 child care providers<br />
• Scholarships– awarded scholarships to 107 teachers<br />
and directors<br />
• Mentoring & Coaching – provided mentoring and<br />
coaching to 193 directors and teachers from 49 child<br />
care facilities<br />
• Curriculum & Training– provided curriculum and<br />
training to 17 centers and 47 teachers<br />
1,745<br />
Families benefiting<br />
from Child Care<br />
Services<br />
107<br />
Scholarships<br />
Awarded to Teachers<br />
& Directors<br />
1,225<br />
Child Care Providers<br />
received Training<br />
14<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
3,258<br />
Children Served with Child Care<br />
Services<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 15
Preparing a Well-Trained Workforce<br />
Preparing our Youth for Workforce Success<br />
Preparing a well-trained workforce is part of Workforce Solutions’<br />
mission that drives our efforts in providing services to<br />
youth that prepare them for successful employment.<br />
Through Workforce Solutions’ Youth Services this year, Workforce<br />
Solutions provided services to 165 youth. Through these<br />
efforts:<br />
• 50 Youth gained employment or entered college<br />
• 48 Youth received a high school diploma or a GED<br />
• 38 Youth gained summer work experience<br />
• 8 Youth graduated with an Associate Degree in an indemand<br />
occupation<br />
• 6 Youth completed Certified Nurse Aid training at a<br />
post-secondary institution<br />
In addition to obtaining the critical education and technical<br />
skills needed for workforce success, youth gained basic job<br />
skills and soft skills such as professionalism, timekeeping, and<br />
financial literacy education.<br />
The new Learning and Training Center offered through Workforce<br />
Solutions’ Youth Services will continue to aid youth to<br />
successful futures. The center, equipped with a computer lab,<br />
provide youth with additional support by providing job readiness<br />
skills, tutoring, and job search assistance.<br />
50<br />
Youth Gained<br />
Employment of<br />
Entered College<br />
48<br />
Youth received a<br />
High School<br />
Diploma or GED<br />
38<br />
Youth Gained<br />
Summer Work<br />
Experience<br />
16<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
165<br />
Total Youth Served<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 179
LINK Employment Transportation<br />
Connecting customers to work, college, and training<br />
Workforce Solutions celebrated nine years of connecting<br />
jobseekers to work, college, and training through its three<br />
LINK employment transportation services: Marlin LINK,<br />
Sanderson Farms Late-Evening LINK, and the Evening LINK.<br />
In <strong>2016</strong>, Workforce Solutions secured another TXDOT grant<br />
to continue LINK service through August 2018.<br />
This year, LINK provided 31,500 total passenger trips through<br />
its three transportation services that included:<br />
• 21,132 passenger trips via the Marlin LINK<br />
• 5,966 passanger trips via the Evening LINK<br />
• 4,402 passenger trips via the Sanderson Farms Late-<br />
Evening LINK<br />
The success of the LINK service is a result of effective<br />
partnerships and transportation planning that includes input<br />
from customers, nonprofit agencies, and other community<br />
members.<br />
Public Transportation Awareness Month (PTAM) is an<br />
example of a partnership activity. PTAM includes travel<br />
training for frontline staff serving job seekers. Staff stays upto-date<br />
on available public transportation resources and learns<br />
to incorporate transit planning into routine conversations with<br />
customers. The result has had a remarkable impact on workers,<br />
businesses, and communities in the Heart of Texas region.<br />
Marlin LINK<br />
21,132<br />
Total Passenger Trips<br />
Evening LINK<br />
5,966<br />
Total Passenger Trips<br />
Sanderson Farms<br />
4,402<br />
Total Passenger Trips<br />
18<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
31,500<br />
Total LINK Passenger Trips<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 19
State Recognition<br />
For the Heart of Texas Region<br />
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas receives Service to Workers Award<br />
Workforce Solutions was awarded the Service to Workers award by the Texas Workforce Commission<br />
during its 20th Annual Texas Workforce Conference in December <strong>2016</strong>. The award recognizes a workforce<br />
development board that demonstrated a commitment to Texas workers by significantly improving<br />
services throughout the workforce system.<br />
Workforce Solutions was recognized for developing the Evening LINK public transportation program<br />
to help local residents find work and stay employed. The Evening LINK is the area’s first evening bus<br />
service that provides workers with reliable and affordable transportation.<br />
(Pictured from left to right: Board Member Clyff Curry, TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez III, Board Member Keith Stanford, TWC<br />
Commissioner Ruth Hughs, Board Members Diane Cowan, Shirley Crockett, Linda Calhoun, Teodoro Taveras (Board Chair), and TWC<br />
Chairman Andres Alcantar)<br />
20<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas receives Child Care Quality Award<br />
Workforce Solutions was also awarded the Child Care Quality award at the 20th Annual Texas Workforce<br />
Conference. The award honors a workforce development board that has improved child care quality<br />
through the creation of exemplary child care programs.<br />
The award recognized Workforce Solutions’ Infant/Toddler Inclusion Project which provided relevant<br />
training, relationship-based mentoring, and developmentally appropriate materials to create effective<br />
inclusive classrooms.<br />
(Pictured from left to right: TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez III, Board Member Diane Cowan, Board Staff Julie Talbert, Workforce<br />
Solutions for the Heart of Texas Executive Director Anthony Billings, Board Member Linda Calhoun, Board Member Shirley Crocket,<br />
TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar, and TWC Commissioner Ruth Hughs)<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 21
Annual Awards of Excellence<br />
Honoring Exceptional Businesses and Individuals<br />
During the 18th Annual Awards of Excellence banquet, held on January 21, <strong>2016</strong>, Workforce Solutions<br />
for the Heart of Texas honored businesses and individuals in the Heart of Texas region who supported<br />
economic growth in the region.<br />
<strong>2016</strong> Annual Awards of Excellence Banquet<br />
Gaylan Beavers<br />
Honorable Elenor Holmes<br />
Service to Community<br />
Providence Healthcare Network<br />
Employer of the Year<br />
Mother Goose Home Day Care<br />
Outstanding Child Care<br />
Provider of the Year<br />
University High School -<br />
A.J. Moore Academies<br />
Partner of the Year<br />
Among the award recipients honored were Mr. Gaylan Beavers, who received the Honorable Elenor<br />
Holmes Service to Community Award; Providence Healthcare Network, who received the Employer of<br />
the Year Award, Mother Goose Home Day Care, who received the Outstanding Child Care Provider<br />
Award; and University High School - A.J. Moore Academies, who received the Partner of the Year<br />
Award.<br />
22<br />
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEART OF TEXAS
Financial Data<br />
Fiscal Year 2015-<strong>2016</strong> Funding<br />
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas is funded by federal and state funds, and through private grants.<br />
In Fiscal Year 2015-<strong>2016</strong>, Workforce Solutions administered $11,976,412 in program funds.<br />
Workforce Investment Act/<br />
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act<br />
$2,311,066<br />
Temporary Assistance for<br />
Needy Families<br />
$2,311,066<br />
Total Funding<br />
$11,976,412<br />
Supplemental Nutrition<br />
Assistance Program<br />
$319,498<br />
Trade Act Services<br />
$10,446<br />
Employment Services<br />
& Others<br />
$325,130<br />
Child Care<br />
$7,946,924<br />
<strong>2016</strong> IMPACT REPORT 23
Connect with us<br />
#hotworkforce<br />
www.hotworkforce.com<br />
Administrative Offices<br />
801 Washington Avenue, Suite 700, Waco, TX 76701<br />
p: (254) 296-5300 f: (254) 753-3173<br />
Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc. Board Staff<br />
Anthony Billings<br />
Executive Director<br />
Aquanetta Brobston<br />
Quality Assurance Coordinator/Equal<br />
Opportunity Officer/504 Coordinator<br />
Sugey Jaimes<br />
Project Support Specialist<br />
Kary Kuecker<br />
Contract Manager of Workforce<br />
Centers & WIOA Youth<br />
Rene´ Clayton<br />
Manager of Industry & Community Initiatives<br />
Vicki Meek<br />
Budget & Contract Officer<br />
Rochelle Goodnight<br />
Executive Secretary<br />
Lilian Hall<br />
Project Support Specialist<br />
Judy Hedge<br />
Administrative Support Specialist<br />
Jose Palacios<br />
Project Manager<br />
Julie Talbert<br />
Child Care Manager<br />
Eunice Williams<br />
Director of Strategic Planning<br />
The Heart of Texas Workforce Board, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer/programs and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to include individuals with disabilities. TTY/TDD via RELAY<br />
Texas service at 711 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989 / 1-800-735-2988 (voice).
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