April 30
8:35AM 		Giving Youth a Voice: Involving Youth in Program Development and Implementation (Presentation Slides Zip File)

Young people are disproportionately involved in, and affected by, the problems that plague communities throughout this country. However, a majority of youth are not offered an opportunity to have a voice in the programs that are designed to "help them." Representatives from YouthBuild USA and the National Resource Center for Youth Services will explore strategies to empower and engage young people in program implementation and administration. Join presenters John Bell, YouthBuild USA, and Clay Finck, National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development, for this National conversation. For over ten years, YouthBuild USA have provided support for the development of the YouthBuild network as well as to other programs with a focus on diminishing poverty in the United States and internationally. The National Resource Center for Youth Services (NRCYS) at the University of Oklahoma has been resourcing the youth services community for more than twenty-five years, providing training and technical assistance to programs in Oklahoma and nationally. There will be a Q&A and an information exchange session following the presentations.
 
April 30
11:43AM 		Giving Youth a Voice: Involving Youth in Program Development and Implementation (Recorded Version)

Young people are disproportionately involved in, and affected by, the problems that plague communities throughout this country. However, a majority of youth are not offered an opportunity to have a voice in the programs that are designed to "help them." Representatives from YouthBuild USA and the National Resource Center for Youth Services will explore strategies to empower and engage young people in program implementation and administration. Join presenters John Bell, YouthBuild USA, and Clay Finck, National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development, for this National conversation. For over ten years, YouthBuild USA have provided support for the development of the YouthBuild network as well as to other programs with a focus on diminishing poverty in the United States and internationally. The National Resource Center for Youth Services (NRCYS) at the University of Oklahoma has been resourcing the youth services community for more than twenty-five years, providing training and technical assistance to programs in Oklahoma and nationally. There will be a Q&A and an information exchange session following the presentations.
 
May 08
1:36PM 		Promoting Access to STEM Learning Opportunities and Jobs for Students with Disabilities (Presentation Slides Zip File)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that people with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and careers. NSF and others report evidence-based practices to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM to include: technology access; hands-on STEM activities; self-determination skill building; college and career preparation activities; bridges between academic levels and careers; work-based experiences; peer and mentor support; tutoring; and preparing educators and employers to work with individuals who have disabilities.

There are several existing programs that have an excellent track record for broadening STEM participation by including people with disabilities. This Webinar will highlight several of these programs:

  • The American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) Entry Point Program, which provides internship opportunities for students with disabilities in STEM and Computer Science;
  • DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) and Access STEM Project, funded by NSF's Research in Disabilities Education Program;
  • NSF's Regional Alliances for Persons with Disabilities in STEM Education (RDE-RAD)-The RDE-RAD program track provides support for comprehensive, multi-disciplinary networks that increase the quality and quantity of students with disabilities completing associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in STEM, who are well prepared for the science and engineering research, education, and professional workforce.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a highly interactive discussion with the staff from these programs to learn about their effective practices, innovative strategies, and successful outcomes for increasing STEM participation in education and employment of individuals with disabilities.
 
April 29
10:32AM 		Resources and New Research on Foster Care (Presentation Slides Zip File)

Research shows that 20,000+ youth age out of foster care annually; many are unprepared for higher education or employment. Several national initiatives focus on improving outcomes for foster youth, including projects funded by the Casey Family Programs initially funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Research from the Institute for Educational Leadership and Johns Hopkins University will show how youth programs can optimize staffing, youth and employer engagement, and follow-up. This Webinar will discuss the benefits and challenges of working with foster youth (e.g., the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and the Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program). There will be a Question and Answer session following the presentations by Dorothy Ansell of the National Resource Center for Youth Services; Howard Knoll and Paul Di Lorenzo of Casey Family Programs; and Pam Johnson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. The session will highlight public/private partnerships between the Federal government and the Nation's largest operating foundation focused on youth in foster care, the Casey Family Programs.
 
April 23
2:35PM 		Job Bank Security Fraud Awareness (Presentation Slides Zip File)

Many, if not all, state job banks are accessible over the Internet. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is vulnerable to attack by individuals who carry out Internet scam schemes and threats. According to a Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, the current [Internet] threat environment is characterized by an increase in data theft and data leakage. Attackers are now refining their methods and consolidating their assets to create global networks that support coordinated criminal activity. The government sector accounts for 25 percent of all identity theft-related data breaches, more than any other sector. Identity theft is an increasingly prevalent security issue. Organizations that store and manage personal identification information must take care to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of such data. This Webinar will increase participant awareness of these facts and provide a forum for information sharing and the identification of best practices.
 
April 23
2:46PM 		Community Based Job Training Grantee: Ask the ETA Fiscal Expert - Part II (Recorded Version)

The purpose of this Webinar is to provide an interactive platform for new grantees to ask questions as they relate to the fiscal aspects of their new Community-Based Job Training Grant. Participants should include individuals working on the programmatic and fiscal aspects of the grant. As a prerequisite for this Webinar, grantees and their fiscal teams should listen to two recordings: 1) Grants Management, and 2) Financial Reporting. Grantees should develop and submit questions in advance by Noon on Friday, April 18, 2008 Eastern Time to Charles Cox: Cox.Charles@dol.gov. Grantees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the Webinar.
 
April 25
2:20PM 		YouthBuild Case Management and Performance System: A Three-Part Training Webinar (Part II) (Recorded Version)

The three YouthBuild Management Information System (MIS) Webinars will provide a refresher course for grantee staff trained during the fall of 2007. The sessions will also provide training to new grantee staff that has not been formally introduced to the MIS system.
 
May 05
9:43AM 		YouthBuild Case Management and Performance System: A Three-Part Training Webinar (Part III) (Recorded Version)

The three YouthBuild Management Information System (MIS) Webinars will provide a refresher course for grantee staff trained during the fall of 2007. The sessions will also provide training to new grantee staff that has not been formally introduced to the MIS system.
 
April 21
10:40AM 		Community Based Job Training Grantee: Ask the ETA Fiscal Expert - Part II (Presentation Slides Zip File)

The purpose of this Webinar is to provide an interactive platform for new grantees to ask questions as they relate to the fiscal aspects of their new Community-Based Job Training Grant. Participants should include individuals working on the programmatic and fiscal aspects of the grant. As a prerequisite for this Webinar, grantees and their fiscal teams should listen to two recordings: 1) Grants Management, and 2) Financial Reporting. Grantees should develop and submit questions in advance by Noon on Friday, April 18, 2008 Eastern Time to Charles Cox: Cox.Charles@dol.gov. Grantees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the Webinar.
 
May 05
9:35AM 		Workforce3 One April 2008 Newsletter

Workforce3 One April 2008 Newsletter
 
May 08
9:25AM 		Promoting Access to STEM Learning Opportunities and Jobs for Students with Disabilities (Recorded Version)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that people with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and careers. NSF and others report evidence-based practices to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM to include: technology access; hands-on STEM activities; self-determination skill building; college and career preparation activities; bridges between academic levels and careers; work-based experiences; peer and mentor support; tutoring; and preparing educators and employers to work with individuals who have disabilities.
 
April 29
10:46AM 		Resources and New Research on Foster Care (Recorded Version)

Research shows that 20,000+ youth age out of foster care annually; many are unprepared for higher education or employment. Several national initiatives focus on improving outcomes for foster youth, including projects funded by the Casey Family Programs initially funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Research from the Institute for Educational Leadership and Johns Hopkins University will show how youth programs can optimize staffing, youth and employer engagement, and follow-up. This Webinar will discuss the benefits and challenges of working with foster youth (e.g., the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and the Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program). There will be a Question and Answer session following the presentations by Dorothy Ansell of the National Resource Center for Youth Services; Howard Knoll and Paul Di Lorenzo of Casey Family Programs; and Pam Johnson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. The session will highlight public/private partnerships between the Federal government and the Nation's largest operating foundation focused on youth in foster care, the Casey Family Programs.
 
April 23
11:58AM 		Messaging: Creating the Hook for the Employer (Presentation Slides Zip File)

Why should employers take an interest in hiring youth? What is the hook to engage employers in youth development programs? This Webinar will feature two promising youth development practitioners who have successfully worked with employers.

Jim McShane, Director of the Crossroads Workforce Investment Board, has undertaken programs to bring youth into the workforce investment system and had them placed in jobs and internships with employers. Hamid Elaissami, Director of Apprenticeships for the Year Up Program in Washington, D.C. will provide insights on successes he has experienced with employers. Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides urban young adults between the ages of 18-24 with a unique combination of technical and professional skills, college credits, educational stipends, and corporate apprenticeship opportunities. Key to Year Up’s success is its strong relationships with employers. Both presenters describe how they have crafted and honed their communications with employers and maintained those employers as repeat customers and partners.

 
April 23
4:21PM 		Job Bank Security Fraud Awareness (Recorded Version)

Many, if not all, state job banks are accessible over the Internet. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is vulnerable to attack by individuals who carry out Internet scam schemes and threats. According to a Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, the current [Internet] threat environment is characterized by an increase in data theft and data leakage. Attackers are now refining their methods and consolidating their assets to create global networks that support coordinated criminal activity. The government sector accounts for 25 percent of all identity theft-related data breaches, more than any other sector. Identity theft is an increasingly prevalent security issue. Organizations that store and manage personal identification information must take care to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of such data. This Webinar will increase participant awareness of these facts and provide a forum for information sharing and the identification of best practices.
 
April 25
8:37AM 		YouthBuild Case Management and Performance System: A Three-Part Training Webinar (Part II) (Presentation Slides Zip File)

The three YouthBuild Management Information System (MIS) Webinars will provide a refresher course for grantee staff trained during the fall of 2007. The sessions will also provide training to new grantee staff that has not been formally introduced to the MIS system.

This second Webinar (April 25, 2008) will cover the day-to-day process of case management and data entry in the system, including:

  • how to enter services
  • how to create and utilize alerts and other tools;
  • how to use the group services feature; and
  • how to maximize performance assessment through real-time data entry

Because each Webinar builds on the foundation of the previous one, it is important that each grantee has consistent staff participation for all three Webinars.