Community Coordinator Report
Josephine Wyatt
Siskiyou County Community Coordinator

January - March, 2007

SBDC (Small Business Development Center) Collaboration
In July of 2006, Shasta College was awarded the SBA grant to be the primary host of the Cascade Small Business Development Center. The Cascade SBDC is part of the six community colleges that form the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center region. The service area of the Cascade SBDC includes Siskiyou County and the Cascade SBDC has partnered with the College of the Siskiyous in providing quality small business services.  In the fall of 2006 a formalized a collaborative with various community service agencies and nonprofit organizations worked in the development of a training catalog (Business Solutions) that was distributed January 2007. Business Solutions is a vehicle to promote training services for our business community with the outcome of shared resources, enhanced outreach and reduction of duplication of services for the betterment of our clients. Historically the various agencies have engaged in their own marketing and outreach to the business community, which has created duplication of services and a dilution of training clarity available for the local community, not to mention poor allocation of State resources. The formal collaborative is a step toward a shared effort to better serve the community. The following agencies make up the collaborative effort:

          o Shasta College
          o College of the Siskiyous
          o Shasta Builders Exchange – Training Center
          o Smart Business Resource Center – WIA one-stop organization
          o Shasta Regional Community Foundation – Center for Nonprofit Resources
          o Jefferson Economic Development Institute (Siskiyou County)
          o Siskiyou County Economic Development Council
          o Workforce Connection, Siskiyou County – WIA one-stop organization
 
Business Services Staff Certification
Josephine Wyatt, Business Services Coordinator and Joanie Zarzynski, Employer Resources Technician, recently obtained certification as Employment Law Specialist, from Columbia Southern University.

Columbia Southern University was developed as an Online University. The focus is to create a virtual learning environment to earn one of CSU's online accredited degrees or certificates. The course materials are selected and prepared with a unique understanding of the special needs the student, backed by years of experience in delivering a quality personalized educational experience.

The Employment Law Certification course is designed to achieve a working knowledge of federal legislation and regulations affecting employers. It provides a simple approach to employment law with a foundation of legal principals explained in the layperson’s language. In the course, cases are included that focus on the important principals of law to be learned, namely discrimination and employment regulation. A consistent theme of the course is employer awareness of protected classes. To this end, employment law focuses on employee and employer rights and responsibilities from the hiring and recruiting process through termination of the employment agreement.

Curriculum highlights include:
 
1. Explain the substance of the relationship between the employer, employee and independent contractor.
2. Identify the duties and right of the parties in an employment contract as well as the liabilities of each in the event of non-compliance.
3. Discuss the hot issues in discrimination in hiring, Affirmative Action and Civil Rights.
4. Explain government regulations of the workplace with regards to unions, collective bargaining, health and safety, hours, wages, workman’s compensation, pensions and health benefits.
5. Identify and discuss sexual harassment, discrimination, and orientation issues within the workplace and their implications.
6. Identify and explain government regulations regarding national origin discrimination, age discrimination, and disability discrimination.

STEP UP Nursing Program
by Renee Barr, Vocational Services Manager

STEP has a long and rewarding partnership with our local community college, College of the Siskiyous. Through this partnership, STEP has assisted students in various training options, including their nursing programs.

Focusing on career progression and the shortage in the nursing field, COS currently has programs allowing students to obtain training as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Licensed Vocational Nurse, and most recently the LVN-RN STEP UP Program.

Student enrollment for the CNA program has ranged from 15–29 students. LVN enrollment has expanded from 25 to 30 students due to heightened interest and funding. The LVN-RN upgrade program is currently able to enroll 24 students. STEP has, through regular and special nursing grants been able to assist all students interested in these programs. STEP has assisted students with training and supportive services ranging from tuition (if not eligible for financial aid), textbooks, supplies, and transportation based on individual needs.

Partnering with COS is an on-going delight. COS staff assists us in many ways, from referral of students for services, invitations to attend nursing informational orientations, as well as STEP staff sitting on advisory committees. The benefits of this partnership results in the provision of pertinent information concerning student progress; thereby, allowing STEP staff to promptly intercede through coaching or additional services. 

COS, STEP and other community agencies are partnering to ensure the first LVN-RN STEP UP program beginning June 2007 will be a success. Through special grant funding (LVN-RN STEP UP Grant) STEP will be able to assist both students and COS.

2007 Youth “Get A Job” Days
by Wanda Norgaard, Youth “Get A Job” Day Coordinator

With the help of  Gloria Shannon, and Albie Cunningham, Integrated Case Workers, Rick Fraga, Career Resource Technician, Tara Cunningham, Vocational Advisor and Paula Young-Reich, Job Retention Advisor.  Workforce Connection sponsored the seventh annual Youth “Get A Job” Days.  This year to date, four high schools in Siskiyou County have participated. They include Scott Valley, Jefferson, Yreka, and Vision Quest. A total of 183 students received assistance and 137 completed and turned in their resume.  Numerous job opportunities were presented to the students for summer employment in various areas of the county.

Weed High School "Get a Job" days is scheduled for May 14, 15 and 16th.

Workforce Connection Farewell to Staff
We would like to extend our good wishes to several staff that have chosen a new career path. Janie Gaither, Youth Vocational Advisor, is now working for Radio Star Studios. Janie has been with us since the early 90's, first starting in the Youth Summer Program and eventually working full-time in the Youth Program. Hud Oates, Learning Lab Specialist, has accepted a position with College of the Siskiyous in the Upward Bound Program. Hud has been with STEP since 1998. Hud will continue to work for us on a part-time basis. Tara Cunningham, Vocational Advisor, will be leaving soon to pursue her educational goals and spend time with her young children. Tara began working as a Summer Youth Assistant in 1994.

Good Luck to All of You!!!