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JOTF E-Newsletter 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: jessica[@]jotf.org. In this issue: JOTF NEWS • JOTF Legislative
Agenda: Session 2007 Wins OTHER NEWS • Washington Post,
"Session Winds Up, Bringing Benefits for Working Class" UPCOMING EVENTS
JOTF NEWS JOTF Legislative Agenda: Session 2007 Wins JOTF’s hard work during the 2007 legislative session
has helped to change laws that will reduce barriers to employment and
ensure that work supports remain intact for Maryland residents. Three
bills have become law: STATUS: The bill passed the Senate unanimously and received wide support in the House. It was signed into law by Governor O'Malley on April 10, 2007.
This bill will forgive arrears (debt) owed to the state for non-custodial parents who pay their full support to their children. After one year of consecutive child support payments, the state will forgive 50% of the owed arrearages. After two years of consecutive payments, the state will entirely forgive the owed arrearages. STATUS: The bill passed the House and Senate unanimously, and was signed into law by Governor O'Malley on April 10, 2007.
For workers who are forced to leave their jobs involuntarily, House Bill 1180 strengthens unemployment insurance as a critical safety net. The new law will increase the maximum benefit level by $40 starting in October 2007, raising it from $340 to $380 per week. The increase is only the second passed by the legislature in the last five years. STATUS:
The bill passed the House and Senate, and is now awaiting Governor O'Malley's
signature.
Lunchtime Series Continues: Forum Explores the High Cost of Home Ownership Homeownership is often touted as the most effective opportunity to build wealth over a lifetime. However, working families often find themselves overextended and unable to protect their home in times of job loss, illness, or family strife. In light of the increasing costs of housing, the devastating impact of foreclosures, and the prevalence of predatory lending, are we pushing families too far? On March 23rd, JOTF, the Baltimore CASH Campaign and the Maryland Asset Building Initiative co-hosted a forum to explore these issues. This forum was the third event in the High Cost of Being Poor Lunchtime Discussion Series. The discussion featured Barbara Aylesworth, Executive Director of Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. and Lindley R. Higgins, PhD, Applied Research Manager for NeighborWorks® America. Approximately 40 local non-profit, government, and housing industry workers attended the brown-bag event. The group discussed issues such as preparation for homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and the direction of the sub-prime lending market. The forum took place at the Mid Atlantic District Offices of NeighborWorks® America. For more information about the event, or about upcoming forums in the series, please contact Andrea Payne at 410-234-8303.
JOTF on WYPR's Marc Steiner Show JOTF's executive director, Jason Perkins-Cohen, discusses the need for targeted training and increased investement in adult education on the Marc Steiner show. Click here to listen to the April 9, 2007 show.
OTHER NEWS Washington Post, "Session Winds Up, Bringing Benefits for Working Class" The Washington
Post's John Wagner reports on ways that the 90-day session of the
General Assembly will affect the lives of everyday Marylanders. Baltimore Sun, "A course correction" This Baltimore Sun editorial addresses one of JOTF's legislative priorities from Session 2007. Governor O'Malley signed House Bill 10, the automatic expungement of arrests without charge, into law on April 10, 2007. Read "A
course correction" (04/06/2007)
In this Baltimore Sun editorial, Diane Camper describes the many hurdles faced by low-income fathers. While public policies focus disproportionately on mothers, the two key areas of focus for low-income men are child support enforcement and the criminal justice system. Read "Redefining
Fatherhood" (04/14/2007)
UPCOMING EVENTS BAN THE BOX (05/16/2007) Brought to you by the Job Opportunities
Task Force and the University of Maryland School of Law BAN
THE BOX: Ending Employment Discrimination Against Formerly Incarcerated
Individuals Other cities have removed the “box” on job applications where prospective employees are asked to check “yes” or “no” to indicate if they have ever been convicted of a crime. Banning the box helps to reduce employment discrimination against people who have been convicted of a crime. Come find out if this is a good idea for Baltimore and if so, how we can make it happen. Remember to bring your own lunch! To RSVP, please contact Melissa Chalmers Broome at JOTF or call (410) 234-8046
By Choice Not Chance: Transportation for the Baltimore Region (04/24/2007) By
Choice Not Chance: Transportation for the Baltimore Region A public dialogue on the future of transportation
and communities sponsored by the Lambda Alpha International, the Urban
Land Institute, and the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors.
Office of the Public Defender: Neighborhood Defenders - Northwest (05/11/2007) The Office of the Public Defender invites you to celebrate: Neighborhood
Defenders - Northwest * Learn about the program! Friday,
May 11, 5:00 to 7:00pm For more information, Natalie Finegar or call (410) 347-1083
OPPORTUNITIES Legal Aid Bureau Seeks Paralegal The Farmworker Unit of Maryland's Legal Aid Bureau ("the Bureau") currently has an opening for the position of full-time (35hrs/wk) paralegal. The Bureau is a non-profit law firm that receives money from the state, federal government and private donors to provide free, civil legal services for persons with low income. Formal paralegal training, although preferred, is not required. The Bureau is an equal opportunity employer.
Persons with Spanish or Creole language skills are especially encouraged
to apply. The position is currently open, until filled.
Mayor's Office of Employment Development Seeks Manager The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development is looking for a Manager to perform and oversee administrative, operational, and strategic activities of the Contracting Unit. Work involves oversight of the entire grant/contract life cycle process and the management of the employees in the department. Assignments are often difficult in nature, and require the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret proposed and actual contractual agreements. Click here for more information.
The Maryland State Department of Education
(MSDE) will release a request for proposals in April 2007 to all interested
organizations seeking federal and state funds to provide Consolidated
Adult Education and Family Literacy Services serving Carroll County. The
one-year grant period will commence in July 2007. Newsletter Editor: Jessica Traskey
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