Baltimore Employment Roundtable

Meeting Notes
February 26, 2004
8:30 a.m.

Prepared by Doha Melhem

Present: Marta Adams, Elizabeth Bain, Kim Bellerive, Dolores Bramer, Todd Elliott, Louise Flamer, Tere Howard, Andrew Jacobs, Kevin McShane, Doha Melhem, Hanna Mignogno, Kevin Griffin Moreno, Margi Savage, Lindsey Schrott, Jessica Statesman, Tony Wicks

The Baltimore Employment Roundtable hosted a presentation on Education Opportunities for Working Adults on February 26. Our guest speakers were Dolores Bramer, the Director of Learning Bank of COIL, Todd Elliott, Director of Adult Literacy and ESOL Programs at the Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC), and Louise Flamer, Assistant to the Director of Continuing Studies at Morgan State University.

The attendees were warmly welcomed by Dr. Willie Bragg, the Assistant Dean of Continuing Studies at Morgan State University.

The speakers provided information on their agencies’ respective adult education programs, which offer a variety of resources ranging from adult basic literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to GED-level instruction. They also discussed the challenges facing their programs in light of changing welfare policies and funding streams.

Learning Bank of COIL:

Ms. Dolores Bramer discussed the opportunities provided at the Learning Bank. The Learning Bank is a community-based adult education and employment program in Southwest Baltimore. It serves over 800 adults each year through a variety of instructional modes. Most Learning Bank services are free.

The Learning Bank offers Adult Basic Education classes from beginning literacy through GED throughout the year.

• Day classes: Monday through Thursday 9:00am-2:00pm
• Evening classes: Tuesday and Thursday 5:30pm-7:30pm
• Saturday ABE classes: 9:00am-12:30pm
• Saturday GED classes: 9:00am-12:30pm
• Friday computer class: 9:00am-12:00noon
• Saturday introduction to computer class: 9:00am-12:00noon
• Special elective classes as learner demands

Other available choices include a partnership with Goodwill Industries of Central Maryland which offers a Job Readiness program, resume writing, job placement and follow-up program.

Ms. Bramer also provided information on the External Diploma Program, an alternative educational track for working adults. Bramer explained that the Learning Bank staff tries its best to retain borderline students, especially that the “stigma” factor of earning an education as an adult is still prevalent.

According to Ms. Bramer, many more adults who are needy of remedial services are not being effectively reached, as providing funding for adult literacy is “low on the state’s list of priorities,” said Bramer.

For more information:

Call: 410-659-5452
Fax: 410-576-0782
Email: info@thelearningbank.org

Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC):

The Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC), Mr. Todd Elliott explained, is specialized in basic-level literacy and ESOL courses. The Adult Literacy and ESOL Programs are renowned for their one-to-one tutoring and small classes, relying heavily on volunteers. The highest-level instruction the program offers are pre-GED level classes.

In 2003, volunteer tutors and paid instructors served more than 400 adult learners in one-to-one tutoring and classes, compiling more than 11,400 instructional hours. Of those taking the standardized assessment, 64 raised their literacy levels.

The program also conducts training workshops:

• Fee: $35 per person
• Two-day training scheme consists of four segments offered during two consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Training workshop covers the mission of GHC, the meaning of working with adult learners, learning styles and modalities that are particular to adult literacy, and specialized adult learning assessments to gauge success.

The GHCC refers students, upon completion of their courses, to the Learning Bank-COIL and to Baltimore Reads.

For more information contact Todd Elliott, Director of Adult Literacy and ESOL Programs--GHCC, at (410) 261 3520.

Morgan Occupational Skills Training Program (M.O.S.T.):

Ms. Tere Howard of the M.O.S.T. program, described the program as that which provides training in areas of Geriatric Nursing, the Hospitality Industry, Customer Service, and Basic Computer Skills. The major objective of the program is to train and prepare individuals to obtain entry-level positions in the specified career fields. This preparation also provides a foundation for further study and advancement within these career paths.

Creating and developing a well-trained pool of qualified applicants would:

• Assist minorities in becomin ga part of those industries where they are currently under-represented
• Help qualified trainees to take advantage of existing and future opportunities in these vocations
• Foster relationships between businesses, professional industries and Morgan State University

The main focus of the program is on testing students to place them in training schemes based on interest and aptitude. Another special feature is the presence of in-house counselors who are matched to students in order to assist them in dealing with psychological barriers to education and employment.

For more information, contact M.O.S.T. at (443) 885-2078

Improved Opportunities for Parents (I.O.P.) Program:

Ms. Louise Flamer described the Morgan State University-run Improved Opportunities for Parents (I.O.P.) Program as that which improves economic and educational opportunities for parents. The I.O.P. Program is a cooperative effort between the University, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (Project Independence), Baltimore City Public School System, and the Department of Recreation.

The goal is to provide the mature student with opportunity to receive instructional and support services in addition to course offerings suited to the needs and interest of parents in order to become self-sufficient and economically independent.

Eligibility for the program is determined cooperatively by the Office of Employment Development, Department of Social Services, and Morgan State University Office of Admissions. Upon the successful completion of the I.O.P. program, students receive a baccalaureate degree.

To qualify for the program, students must:

• Register with Project Independence
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Take the Metropolitan Achievement Test and University placement examinations
• Meet the requirements for both admission and financial aid

Since its inception, 129 students have graduated from the program from which 98% are employed.

The introduction of Welfare-to-Work in 1996 pushed the administration to search for new ways to run the I.O.P. program. Students had to complete 20 hours of work-study; and as of last year, they must work full-time. “This change has made going to school a challenge,” explained Ms. Flamer, “Students must study full-time and work full-time.” Despite the obstacles, the I.O.P. management assists students with respect to financial aid.

The program is open to the ex-offender population. The administration follows a special procedure for reviewing ex-offender applications. The applicant’s background information would determine what training component he or she is enrolled in. However, the challenge lies in finding employers who provide ex-offenders a promising career track.

For more information:

Call 443.885.3155
Fax: 443.885.8204
Banneker Communications Center - room 214
Email: vreckley@moac.morgan.edu or mlogan@moac.morgan.edu

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