|
April 2005
The Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF) is pleased to bring you the latest edition of its electronic newsletter. The JOTF E-Newsletter includes news, announcements, and information about upcoming events in the Baltimore area that we hope will be of interest to you. If your organization would like to publicize an event, job announcement, or other information, please e-mail: info@jotf.org.
In this issue:
JOTF NEWS
• JOTF Hosts Brown-Bag Luncheon Discussion: "Working Hard, or Hardly Working?"
• JOTF Scores Legislative Wins for Maryland Workers
• JOTF Supports an Increase in Maryland's Minimum Wage
• JOTF Calls for Adequate Adult Education Funding
• New 'In Time of Need' Directory Available!
OTHER NEWS
• Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute Adds "Work Supports" Section to Maryland Priorities Series
• The Daily Record: House joins Senate, votes to increase Md. minimum wage
• The Re-Entry Policy Council Releases Report on Reintegrating Ex-offenders into Society
• The Washington Post on Adult Education Funding
• The Daily Record: Construction jobs thrive
• Working for America Institute Revamps Monthly Economic Update
• The Baltimore Sun on RESTART
UPCOMING EVENTS
• The Open Society Institute-Baltimore Presents "School Discipline Policies and Their Criminal Justice Consequences" (4/19)
• Maryland Works & Pinnacle Career Resources Present "ReCharge, ReTool and ReEngage" (4/28)
• Goodwill to Host Career Fair (4/29)
• Golman Sachs to Host Half-Day Forum: "Community Revitalization Collaboratives" (4/29)
• Maryland Works, Inc. presents “The Power of a GED" (5/4)
• Good Jobs First to Host Second National Conference (5/11-5/13)
• Workforce Alliance to Hold 2005 National Conference (5/18-5/19)
• The Maryland Workforce Development Association Presents: "Raising the Bar 2005" (6/15 - 6/17)
OPPORTUNITIES
• VETS Announces Availability of Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
• CFWD Seeks Career Advancement Retention Specialist
JOTF NEWS
JOTF Hosts Brown-Bag Luncheon Discussion: "Working Hard, or Hardly Working?"
The Job Opportunities Task Force invites you to a brown-bag luncheon discussion: "Working Hard, or Hardly Working? A JOTF Examination of State Policies Toward Workers in the '05 Session, and a Look Ahead to '06"
Thursday, April 28 2005, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Second Floor Conference Room
Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake
222 East Redwood Street, Baltimore
If you are interested in reforming state policy to increase economic opportunities for Maryland's working families, then don't miss this important discussion. Join JOTF for a wrap-up of the 2005 legislative session and a dialogue on planning for 2006. Bring a bag lunch and your best thinking about how we can work together to improve the jobs, skills, and wages of low-income workers.
JOTF and its partners fought hard in Annapolis this year on behalf of workers and job seekers. We led the way and joined others in tackling critical issues like adult education, ex-offender employment, and public benefits for workers. (To learn more, visit http://www.jotf.org/advocacy/annapolis.htm. While there is much to celebrate, a lot more remains to be done, and we need your help to do it. Among the topics to be covered:
- What passed, what didn't, and why?
- What will be the pressing workforce issues for the 2006 session?
- What can JOTF do to make sure that low-income workers are a priority for state policymakers?
There is no cost to attend, but space is limited to the first 30 respondents, so reserve your seat early!
Contact Kevin Griffin Moreno at kevin@jotf.org or (410) 234-8046 to RSVP or for further information. Light refreshments will be served.
JOTF scores legislative wins for Maryland workers
During the 2005 General Assembly session, JOTF and its advocacy partners made some significant gains on behalf of low-income workers and job seekers. We actively supported legislation that would:
- raise unemployment benefits for laid-off workers and appoint JOTF to a state commission that will oversee Maryland's unemployment insurance system.
- lower employment barriers by permitting people to remove from their criminal records convictions for offenses disproportionately connected with poverty and homelessness.
- increase self-sufficiency and mainstream employment among single adults and non-custodial parents who have been convicted of drug offenses by allowing them to receive food stamps and federal employment and training funding.
- reduce the waiting list for adult education services such as basic literacy, GED preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
- allow prison industries proceeds to be used for inmate rehabilitative services.
All of the legislation above passed both chambers of the legislature.
In addition, JOTF worked to increase funding for adult education in the FY 2006 state budget, and joined with partner organizations in calling for expanded state investment in childcare subsidies and Temporary Cash Assistance. We were also involved in successful efforts to increase the state minimum wage, establish a construction training program for Maryland inmates, and defeat measures that would hinder the ability of foreign-born workers to contribute to the state's economy.
We would like to acknowledge our advocacy partners who joined us or led the way in fighting for low-skill, low-wage workers and job seekers this session. Thanks to Homeless Persons Representation Project, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-MD, Maryland Alliance for the Poor, Maryland Jewish Alliance, Maryland Justice Coalition, Greater Baltimore Committee, and all of the other organizations and individuals who took time to advocate policies that improve economic opportunities for working families.
We are also grateful for the legislative sponsors who championed legislation and budget measures strongly supported by JOTF. Special thanks go to Delegates Jill P. Carter, Kathleen Dumais, Keith E. Haynes, and Salima Siler Marriott, and to Senators Nathaniel Exum, Patrick J. Hogan, and Verna L. Jones. For more information on JOTF's advocacy work during the 2005 session, visit http://www.jotf.org/advocacy/annapolis.htm or contact Kevin Griffin Moreno at kevin@jotf.org or (410) 234-8046.
JOTF Supports an Increase in Maryland's Minimum Wage
On Monday April 12, The Baltimore Sun published a letter to the editor from JOTF supporting an increase in Maryland's minimum wage. "We all benefit by having a stable work force that earns a decent wage for a hard day's work, just as we all benefit by having a thriving business community that provides quality jobs as well as goods and services for our residents," says JOTF executive director Jason Perkins-Cohen.
Read "Raising the floor for wages helps business, labor"
JOTF Calls for Adequate Adult Education Funding
JOTF supported legislation in the 2005 General Assembly session that would increase funding for adult education by $1.5 million. The legislation passed both Houses and is awaiting the Governor's signature. In a Baltimore Sun Op-ed published on March 21, JOTF executive director Jason Perkins-Cohen emphasizes the crucial need for increased adult education funding.
Read "Time for Maryland to make adult education a priority"
New 'In Time of Need' directory available!
By popular demand, JOTF has ordered another printing of 'In Time of Need,' our well-received catalog of community services. Our updated directory contains valuable information on free and low-cost resources for low-income adults who are looking for help with childcare, health care, housing, transportation, and other areas.
Directories are available individually or in bulk for a cost of $0.50 per copy. To order yours, send e-mail to info@jotf.org or call (410) 234-8046.
Back to Top
OTHER NEWS
Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute Adds "Work Supports" Section to Maryland Priorities Series
As part of its "Maryland Priorities" series, the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute has launched a web site dedicated to tracking the state's investment in work supports such as child care, temporary cash assistance, rental assistance, and other social safety net services that provide vital economic stability for low-income families in Maryland. Visit the new web site at: http://www.marylandpolicy.org/Marylandprioritiesworksupports.htm. Please send updates on work support-related budget issues to Steve Hill at shill@mdnonprofit.org.
The Daily Record: House joins Senate, votes to increase Md. minimum wage
The Daily Record's Dori Berman explores the array of opinions on the minimum wage bills recently passed by the House and the Senate. While business groups worry that the $1 increase in the minimum will hurt small businesses, House Speaker Michael Busch "said he doubts the claims that businesses will be significantly hurt."
Read "House joins Senate, votes to increase Md. minimum wage"
The Re-Entry Policy Council Releases Report on Reintegrating Ex-offenders into Society
The Re-entry Policy Council has released a new report entitled "Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council: Charting the Safe and Successful Return of Prisoners to the Community." The report offers recommendations for reducing public spending and increasing public safety by promoting the safe and successful return of ex-offenders to the community.
Read "Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council"
The Washington Post on Adult Education Funding
In a Washington Post article on March 27, Montgomery County Council president Tom Perez writes that in "Montgomery County and across Maryland, the need for adult classes in English as a second language (ESL) and for literacy services in general has become critical." A well-educated workforce is vital to Maryland's economic health. "It's past time for the state to adequately fund adult education", says Mr. Perez.
Read "Why We Must Fund English Classes"
The Daily Record: Construction jobs thrive
Jen DeGregorio of The Daily Record writes that a 3 percent increase in overall construction in Maryland over the past 12 months has fueled job growth. This increase in construction jobs is promising for Maryland's most marginalized low-income workers because the construction industry is one of the sectors that offers career advancement opportunities for people with criminal records.
Read "Construction jobs thrive'
Working for America Institute Revamps Monthly Economic Update
The Working for America Insitute has changed the content of their monthly Economic Update to include more in-depth jobs analysis for the manufacturing sector. To view the latest Economic Update visit: http://www.workingforamerica.org/econupdate.htm.
The Baltimore Sun on Project RESTART
A March 29th editorial in The Baltimore Sun emphasizes the importance of expanding Project RESTART to include pre-release centers. Restart is a state initiative that "aims to give inmates the education, treatment and job skills to change their lifestyles and turn away from addictive or criminal behavior." JOTF actively lobbied for the continuation of Project RESTART during the 2005 General Assembly session.
Read JOTF's Testimony on RESTART
Back to Top
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Open Society Institute-Baltimore Presents "School Discipline Policies and Their Criminal Justice Consequences" (4/19)
The Open Society Institute-Baltimore Criminal Justice and Education & Youth Development Programs present the forum series: "School Discipline Policies and Their Criminal Justice Consequences ~ Reducing Suspension and Expulsion: Two Alternative Programs Working in Baltimore Schools" on Tuesday, April 19 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m at the Open Society Institute - Baltimore, 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, Maryland. Please RSVP to Justin Schaberg at (410) 234-1092 x213 or jschaberg@sorosny.org by Tuesday, April 12, 2005.
Maryland Works & Pinnacle Career Resources Present "ReCharge, ReTool and ReEngage" (4/28)
Maryland Works, Inc. & Pinnacle Career Resources, Inc. present a monthly empowerment roundtable series for the helping professional: "ReCharge, ReTool and ReEngage." The second session will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2005 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am. For more information contact the Workforce Network at 410-381-8660 fax-410-381-1558 or e-mail carole_miller@mdworks.com.
Goodwill to Host Career Fair (4/29)
Goodwill will host a Career Fair on April 29, 2005 at Goodwill Headquarters (222 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202). For information on participating, please contact Deb Drescher at 410.837.1800 ext.143 or email ddrescher@goodwillches.org.
Golman Sachs to Hosts Half-Day Forum: "Community Revitalization Collaboratives" (4/29)
The Community Capital Group at Goldman Sachs will host a half-day forum on the topic of "Community Revitalization Collaboratives: Exploring Best Practices and Attracting Investment" on April 29, 2005 at the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore. For more information visit: http://www.gs.com/gsevents/ccgcrc2005/attendee.
Maryland Works, Inc. presents “The Power of a GED" (5/4)
Maryland Works, Inc. will host “The Power of a GED: How to Give Your Job Seeker the Edge” on May 4, 2005 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Maryland Works Training Center, 10270 Old Columbia Road, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046. For more information e-mail carole_miller@mdworks.com or contact the Workforce Network at 410-381-8660.
Good Jobs First to Host Second National Conference (5/11-5/13)
Good Jobs First will hold its second national conference, "Reclaiming Economic Development", from May 11-13 2005 at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore. For more information visit: http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/.
Workforce Alliance to Hold 2005 National Conference (May 18-19)
The Workforce Alliance will hold its 2005 National Conference: "What's the Big Idea? Workforce Development Policy for the Next Four Years (and Beyond)" from May 18-19, 2005 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. For more information, visit TWA's 2005 National Conference home page or call Carla Ward at 202-223-8991 ext. 100.
The Maryland Workforce Development Association Presents: "Raising the Bar 2005" (6/15 - 6/17)
The Maryland Workforce Development Association will host the "Raising the Bar 2005" conference at Turf Valley Resort & Conference Center in Ellicott City, Maryland from June 15 - 17, 2005. For more information visit: http://www.mwda.org.
Back to Top
OPPORTUNITIES
VETS Announces Availability of Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) within the Department of Labor has announced a grant competition to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. For more information visit the March 29 Federal Register at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-6132.htm.The submission deadline for applications is April 28, 2005.
CFWD Seeks Career Advancement Retention Specialist
The Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development is seeking a Career Advancement Retention Specialist to coordinate employment placement and job retention for Project Bridge. E-mail resumes to ccodes@cfwd.org or fax resumes to 410-367-4246. For more information visit http://www.strivebaltimore.com.
Newsletter Co-Editors: Kevin Griffin Moreno and Larry Schugam
If you would like to unsubscribe from the JOTF E-Newsletter, send e-mail to info@jotf.org.
Back to Top
|
