Council Social Services and Community Development Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Social Services & Community Development Committee met on January 22, 2013, at 1:30 p.m., with Chris Ford presiding. The committee addressed five agenda items during the session, taking four votes and hearing three public comments.

The meeting began with organizational matters, approving the election of the Chair and the selection of the Vice Chair. The committee also approved the summary from the December 4, 2012 meeting. Two substantive items were deferred to a future meeting: a presentation on Workforce Development & Training by Ford, and Committee Referral Items. Overall, the committee completed its procedural business while deferring policy discussions for later consideration.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 22, 2013:

• Charles Ellinger
• Steve Kay
• Chris Ford
• Julian Beard
• George Myers
• Jennifer Scutchfield
• Kevin Stinnett
• Diane Lawless
• Shevawn Akers
• Ed Lane

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Election of Chris Ford as Chair of the Social Services & Community Development Committee 0:00

Motion by George Myers, seconded by Ed Lane. The motion passed unanimously with 10 ayes and 0 nays. All committee members voted in favor: Ed Lane, Julian Beard, George Myers, Jennifer Scutchfield, Kevin Stinnett, Diane Lawless, Shevawn Akers, Chris Ford, Steve Kay, and Charles Ellinger.

Approval of the Motion to Elect Chris Ford as Chair 1:05

Motion by George Myers, seconded by Ed Lane. The motion passed unanimously with 10 ayes and 0 nays. All committee members voted in favor: Ed Lane, Julian Beard, George Myers, Jennifer Scutchfield, Kevin Stinnett, Diane Lawless, Shevawn Akers, Chris Ford, Steve Kay, and Charles Ellinger.

Approval of the December 4, 2012 Committee Summary 2:38

Motion by Steve Kay, seconded by George Myers. The motion passed unanimously with 10 ayes and 0 nays. All committee members voted in favor: Ed Lane, Julian Beard, George Myers, Jennifer Scutchfield, Kevin Stinnett, Diane Lawless, Shevawn Akers, Chris Ford, Steve Kay, and Charles Ellinger.

Motion to Adjourn the Meeting 16:02

Motion by Diane Lawless, seconded by Charles Ellinger. The motion passed unanimously with 10 ayes and 0 nays. All committee members voted in favor: Ed Lane, Julian Beard, George Myers, Jennifer Scutchfield, Kevin Stinnett, Diane Lawless, Shevawn Akers, Chris Ford, Steve Kay, and Charles Ellinger.

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed the committee regarding workforce development and advanced manufacturing education initiatives in the Bluegrass region.

Ed Lane 8:11 referenced findings from a recent BEAM study on advanced manufacturing education. According to Lane, the study indicated low educational levels among workers in advanced manufacturing across the Bluegrass region. Lane suggested that these findings could inform potential future state legislation aimed at providing additional training funding for the sector.

Darrell Smith 10:19 provided an update on the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board's approach to workforce development. Smith explained that the board operates using a sector-driven model and is actively engaged with the BEAM initiative, with particular focus on advanced manufacturing. Smith expressed the board's willingness to provide a formal presentation to the committee at a future meeting.

George Myers 14:54 made a procedural request regarding the anticipated Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board presentation. Myers asked whether committee members could submit questions in advance to help ensure a productive and well-organized discussion during the presentation.

Appointments

Shevawn Akers was appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the Social Services & Community Development Committee.

Election of the Chair

Council Member Chris Ford was nominated for the position of Chair by George Myers and seconded by Ed Lane. The motion passed unanimously, resulting in Ford's election as Chair.

Following his election, Chris Ford appointed Shevawn Akers to serve as Vice Chair.

Selection of Vice Chair

1:36

Chris Ford appointed Shevawn Akers as Vice Chair of the committee. The appointment was accepted without objection.

12.04.12 Committee Summary (1-3)

2:38

The committee reviewed and approved the summary from the December 4, 2012 meeting. Key speakers during this agenda item included Steve Kay, George Myers, Ed Lane, and Diane Lawless.

The summary covered two main topics:

• UK Department of Social Services' 'Barriers to Self Sufficiency' Report — The committee discussed updates related to this report, which examined obstacles individuals face in achieving economic self-sufficiency.

• Bluegrass Occupational Outlook to 2018 — The committee reviewed information on employment projections and occupational trends for the Bluegrass region through 2018.

The committee approved the summary without noted objections or concerns being raised during the discussion.

Workforce Development & Training - Ford (4-17)

3:15

Paul Schoninger presented a report on workforce training providers in the region. The presentation focused on identifying gaps in training for high-demand careers and examining discrepancies in training costs across different providers.

Key Speakers: - Paul Schoninger - Ed Lane - Darrell Smith - George Myers - Chris Ford

Presentation Findings:

The report highlighted two primary concerns: - Gaps exist in training availability for careers with high regional demand - Significant cost discrepancies exist among training providers in the area

Committee Action:

The committee decided to keep the item in committee rather than move it forward immediately. To further develop this discussion, the committee voted to invite the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board to present at the next meeting. This invitation will allow for additional perspective and expertise on workforce development and training issues in the region.

Outcome: Deferred

Committee Referral Items (18)

12:38

The committee discussed two items during this referral segment: a proposed Senior Citizen Center and the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board's role in workforce training.

Key Speakers

Chris Ford, George Myers, and Ed Lane participated in the discussion of these referral items.

Discussion and Outcome

Both items were deferred to future meetings. The committee determined that further updates and presentations would be needed before taking action on either proposal. No specific concerns or details regarding the Senior Citizen Center proposal or the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board's workforce training initiatives were documented in the available materials.