Siskiyou County
Community Coordinator Report

Local Partnership Highlighted on Discovery Channel

The Discovery Channel was busy filming at College of the Siskiyous in Weed, recording some of the college's educational assets for a program which will air on the Discovery Channel sometime in March.

The show "Champions of Industry," hosted by Pat Summerall, will focus on College of the Siskiyous' partnerships with area service providers such as Mercy Medical Center and STEP, and a number of emergency service agencies such as police and fire departments. COS's new Distance Learning Center and the Fire Training Tower were among the points of interest on the Weed campus. Filming included a simulated rescue situation involving fire and paramedic personnel.

The Fire Training Tower is a result of a partnership with College of the Siskiyous, City of Weed and STEP. Funding was obtained through 25% funds from EDD.

Weed Rotary Distributes Dictionaries

The Weed Rotary gave dictionaries to all three third grade classes at Weed Elementary School, as well as to the third grade classes in Edgewood, Gazelle and Big Springs. This is an annual event for the Rotary to assist the children in the use and functions of a dictionary.

Josephine Wyatt, Community Coordinator and Rotarian assisted with the distribution of the dictionaries. It was so amazing to see the enthusiasm and smiles of each of the young children faces. You could tell that they truly appreciated what we were doing. Many of them would not have access to having their own dictionary and this was really a lot of fun.

Partnerships Lead to California Award

College of the Siskiyous received the "Keeping the Best" award presented by the Community College League of California in November. The "Keeping the Best" award recognizes those who have provided leadership for their colleges and maintained excellence in tough times.

The award was specifically awarded to the COS Emergency Response Technology Program whose partnerships include: COS (Occupational Education), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, COS (Fire Program), COS (Paramedic Program), and STEP. Through this partnership STEP is assisting 37 individuals in the Emergency Response Program. Services offered have included registration, tuition, equipment, and transportation.

In recognition of its partnership efforts among COS, City of Weed, CDF and STEP, and the economic impact in the region, the partnership received $887,818 from a Workforce Investment Grant from the Governor's set-aside funds. These funds were used to purchase the equipment for the training as well as to assist with case management cost.

COS and its partners generate up to 1,000 enrollments each year and have a 95% placement rate. The program which is now the primary job training force for emergency response services in the area, has also received awards from the California Community College Association for Occupational Education and the California Department of Forestry.

Youth Department Success Story

Janie Gaither, Youth Vocational Advisor of Siskiyou Training and Employment Program, received a wonderful surprise, just in time for the holidays. On Wednesday, December 10th, former STEP Youth Program Participant, Nickolaus Hillman, surprised Gaither at her office in Weed. Janie stated "I was so thrilled to see Nick. What a wonderful surprise; it's like an early Christmas Present!"

Hillman, a 2003 Graduate of Happy Camp High School, enrolled in the STEP Youth Program during his junior year. Through his participation in the program, Nick successfully completed paid work experience assignments and employability skills training through a partnership with the Happy Camp Ranger District. In addition, Nick received career exploration and adult mentoring services through STEP, Inc.

Hillman recently completed the Advanced Training component of the US Navy in Pensacola, Florida. While in AT, Nick served in the capacity of Team Leader and received intensive Basic EMT and Firefighting Training. After visiting his friends and family in Siskiyou County, Nick will depart to the Norfolk, Virginia where he is stationed on USS George Washington.

The STEP Youth Program is very proud of Nick's accomplishments and would like to honor him for serving our country so proudly. "I consider myself blessed to have played a role in Nick's life and am extremely fortunate to witness his transition into adulthood," said Gaither.

Hillman is one of three STEP Youth Program Participants to enter the military this year. STEP would also like to recognize Kenneth 'Buzz' Busby of Seiad Valley who is serving in the US Army and was recently deployed to Germany. Busby is also a 2003 Graduate of Happy Camp High School. While in high school, Busby participated in the Delayed Entry Program of the Army. In November, Busby visited his family in Siskiyou County before leaving for his overseas assignment.

Finally, STEP would like to recognize Alina Melcher of Dorris for serving our country in the US Air Force. Melcher is a 2003 Graduate of Butte Valley High School and is currently in Texas completing her advanced training. Melcher will be spending the holidays with her family in Dorris and will be stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The STEP Youth Program would like to wish our soldiers and all program participants Happy Holidays and a safe New Year!

STEP is a member of the Workforce Connection, a collaboration of all the major employment and vocational training providers in Siskiyou County. For more information on the STEP Youth Program, call (800) 344-7837.

Santa Claus Visits STEP

In keeping with tradition, STEP and Siskiyou Modoc Regional Department of Child Support Services brought Santa Claus to town. Santa and his elves spent several hours listening to children's Christmas wishes (and a few adult ones too). Each child received a free keepsake photo and candy cane.

Hiring Assistance to J. H. Baxter Company

Workforce Connection staff were contacted in October by Arlandus "Spikes" Clark, the Manager of J.H. Baxter in Weed. J. H. Baxter is a wood treating and guard rail manufacturing plant. Spikes, who is also a member of the STEP Board of Directors, explained that the company recently received a couple of new contracts and was in need of hiring several new employees as soon as possible.

Business Services staff immediately began recruitment and pre-screening for the laborer positions; the starting wage is $12.16 per hour with a generous benefit package. Spikes' main objective was to hire employees with forklift certification and previous mill experience. With the closure of the Cal Cedar mill in McCloud earlier in the year, staff had close contact with many of the dislocated workers from that layoff. Intense screening in order to make appropriate referrals for interviewing was a top priority.

By the end of October, seven of the referrals from the Workforce Connection were hired and vouchered for Enterprise Zone tax credits. One additional employee has been hired through the continued efforts of the Workforce Connection staff.

Spikes stated that he was very pleased and appreciated all the work that the Workforce Connection staff did to assist him in their recruitment efforts. We were also pleased and hope to continue working with J.H. Baxter.