Town of Hempstead Workforce Investment Board Meeting Minutes

Town of Hempstead
Workforce Investment Board
Meeting Minutes
HempsteadWorks Career Center
June 12, 2014
I. Welcome and Introductions
The meeting was convened at 9:35 A.M. by Alan Nachman, Workforce Investment
Board (WIB) Vice Chair. Mr. Nachman asked the attendees to introduce themselves.
II. Review of Meeting Minutes
The members reviewed the minutes from our regional meeting of October 17, 2013 and
from the local meeting of November 13, 2013. A motion to approve both minutes was
offered by Roslyn Goldmacher, seconded by Elvira Lovaglio-Duncan and approved by
the members.
III. Regional Plan for Program Year 2014
Mr. Nachman informed the members that the New York State Department of Labor
requires the WIBs of each region of the state to submit an annual Regional Plan that is
consistent with the Strategic Plan developed by the each Regional Economic
Development Council. He stated that the three Long Island WIBs collaborated to prepare
a plan for our region. Mr. Nachman indicated that the plan does not require a vote of
approval, but is being provided for informational purposes. He also informed the
attendees that the notice for this meeting directed the membership to review the Regional
Plan on the HempsteadWorks web site, and that a hard copy of the Plan was included in
the meeting handouts. Edward Kenny informed the members that the New York State
Department of Labor had stated during a conference call that the purpose of this Plan
was, in part, to increase the role of the WIBs throughout New York State in the strategic
planning process of the Regional Economic Development Councils. Mr. Kenny
explained that the Hempstead/Long Beach WIB, along with the other Long Island WIBs,
has advocated for and served in a significant role in the Long Island Regional Economic
Development Council’s Workforce and Education Workgroup. Through these activities
the Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources (DOOR), acting on
behalf of the WIBs, was able to submit a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)
proposal in Round I of the CFA process that was closely aligned with the Council’s
Strategic Plan. Mr. Kenny indicated that the application resulted in the award of a CFA
Grant, which was the only WIB-led CFA project in New York State. The grant funded
the Long Island Business and Workforce Investment Project (LIBWIP), which is
included in the Regional Plan.
The members reviewed an excerpt from the Council’s latest progress report, entitled
“Strong Island – The Story of a Region’s Recovery and Resurgence,” which included a
success story regarding a veteran who was trained in the field of medical informatics and
who found employment under the CFA-funded LIBWIP grant.
IV. Youth Program Proposal Review
The members were informed by Mr. Nachman that each year the Board conducts a
Request for Proposals (RFP) for In-School Youth Services. The purpose of the RFP is to
procure the services of providers for the Workforce Investment Act funded Year-Round
Program and the State-funded Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Sal
Scibetta presented a summary of the proposals. He indicated that in accordance with the
Workforce Investment Act Statute, our Youth Council reviewed the proposals submitted
in response to the RFP and recommended that they be approved. Mr. Scibetta
summarized the cost of the proposals and explained the formula utilized to establish those
costs. The WIB reviewed a spreadsheet that summarized the costs, along with fact sheets
that described the cost formula and the program details. Mr. Scibetta indicated that the
Youth Council has recommended that the proposals be approved. A motion to accept the
recommendation of the Youth Council and approve the proposals was offered by Ms.
Goldmacher, seconded by Ms. Lovaglio-Duncan and approved by the members.
V. Disability Employment Initiative
Mr. Nachman indicated that the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) is funded by a
grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that was awarded to the New York State
Department of Labor. He stated that the New York State Department of Labor selected
four local areas in the state to implement the project through state grants to those areas.
Mr. Nachman stated further that having been selected as one of those local areas, Van
White, who works in the HempsteadWorks Career Center under a contract with Goodwill
Industries, has been assigned as a full-time Disability Resource Coordinator. Mr. White
introduced the DEI Team, which in addition to himself, includes Aurora Berman of
DOOR and Maria Lombardi of Goodwill. He stated that each of the team members are
serving as Disability Resource Coordinators, with Mr. White serving in that role on a
full-time basis and Ms. Berman and Ms. Lombardi are serving in the same capacity on a
part-time basis. Ana-Maria Hurtado informed the members that this is a new project that
recently started. Mr. White explained that the Team is undergoing intensive training to
carry out the project, including attending webinars, conference calls and in-person
training. He referred the Council to review a flyer that describes the project. Mr. White
explained that the purpose of the project is to improve coordination and collaboration
among employment and training and asset development programs implemented at state
and local levels, including the Ticket-to-Work Program, and also, to build effective
community partnerships that leverage public and private resources to better serve
individuals with disabilities and improve employment outcomes. He explained that
employers could obtain tax credits by hiring individuals who qualify for Ticket-to-Work.
Ms. Lombardi explained that the Team is learning the work requirements for
ticketholders. Ms. Berman added that they are also learning the different rules for
different benefits programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and
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Supplement Security Income (SSI). Ms. Lombardi explained that these programs offer a
cushion to individuals in need.
VI. My Free Taxes
Under this item, Mr. Nachman explained that as part of the Disability Employment
Initiative, our Career Center was selected as one of twenty-four in the nation to
implement site for the My Free Taxes initiative. He introduced Mathew McCarthy, who
served as the Center’s Tax Coach from February to May of 2014. Mr. McCarthy
provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the My Free Taxes Partnership. He
explained that as a Tax Coach he provides free income tax filing assistance to individuals
with an income of $58,000 or less income, including the spouse’s income. Mr. McCarthy
stated that the return may be filed at home or in-person at HempsteadWorks. He
explained that many tax returns are relatively straightforward. My Free Taxes provides
free software to guide the customer through the process, as well as free assistance from a
certified tax coach or a helpline. Mr. McCarthy explained how the process of tax
coaching works.
Customers click on the following link: www.myfreetaxes.com/hempsteadworks, where
they create account and can save or finish anytime. He explained that after creating an
account, the customer follows software instructions and enters data. The customer may
call or e-mail a tax coach for assistance at any time. The customer may also meet with
the tax coach in person. During these personal meetings, the tax coach walks them
through the process. Mr. McCarthy explained that common sources of refunds include:
withholdings from income, the Earned Income Tax Credit, Education Credits and the
Child Tax Credit. He indicated that the Earned Income Tax Credit applies if income is
earned from work and that age and income limitations may apply. In order to coach a
customer, Mr. McCarthy indicated that the customer must provide all income documents,
including the W-2 Form for wages, 1099 forms, etc. The customer should also provide
documentation of deductible expenses. Also, the prior year tax return is often needed,
along with bank information, if direct deposit/debit is desired. Mr. McCarthy explained
that this service can be a great asset to low-income and unemployed individuals. He
explained that many individuals in these categories are not aware that they can access tax
refunds by filing through this process. He shared one example where he helped an
individual to access a refund of $5,000. Greg Becker added that the Tax Coach does not
prepare the return, but rather assist the taxpayer file the return. Mr. McCarthy explained
that once the taxpayer learns how to file the return, the process can be repeated year after
year, without paying for tax preparation. Ms. Hurtado indicated that despite the fact that
this initiative commenced relatively late in the tax season, it did serve a significant
number of individuals. Mr. Kenny explained that Mr. McCarthy does not know if the My
Free Taxes organization will assign him to be a Tax Coach at the Center next year or not.
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VII.
Veteran’s Services
Mr. Nachman stated that Veterans are prioritized for services in our Career Center. He
introduced Marlon Ramirez, who is a Local Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
Representative for the New York State Department of Labor. Mr. Ramirez provided the
attendees with a PowerPoint presentation regarding services available to veterans. The
presentation covered the topics of Unemployment Insurance, Training and Job Search.
Mr. Ramirez also distributed and discussed two fact sheets, one entitled “Services for
Veterans” and a second entitled: “Services for Returning Veterans.” He also described
the requirements of the New York State Department of Labor for the Local Disabled
Veterans Outreach Program Representatives to meet with each veteran on an individual
basis to provide job search assistance. Mr. Ramirez indicated that veterans also served in
groups through workshops.
VIII. New Member Presentation
Mr. Nachman introduced Ann Bonet, Director of Human Resources for the Garden City
Hotel. Ms. Bonet informed the group that the hotel is celebrating its 140th anniversary.
She indicated that many positive changes are taking place at the Hotel under its new
owners, Fortuna Realty. Ms. Bonet stated that the hotel offers 272 brand new guest suites
and 25,000 square feet of meeting space. She indicated that the Polo Steakhouse, located
in the hotel, is a classic American steakhouse, with a twist of modern luxury. In addition,
she explained that the Polo Lounge is an upscale bar with live jazz. Ms. Bonet indicated
that the hotel contains an indoor pool and fitness center. She added that the hotel is
famous for its Sunday Brunch and Saturday Tea. When recruiting employees, Ms. Bonet
stated that the hotel values the appropriate personality traits, such as a passion for
customer service and positive work ethic. She also stated that each employee undergoes
comprehensive training in order to meet the standards of the hotel. In addition, she
indicated that the employees participate in volunteer days. She stated that they volunteer
at the Mary Brennan Inn to provide food to the hungry. They also participate in the
“Shoes for Crews” charity. Ms. Bonet informed the members that the hotel also donates
used drapes and linen to charity.
IX. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was offered by Mark Goldstein, seconded by Ms. Goldmacher, and
approved by the members. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 A.M.
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