Wally Herger Visits Workforce Connection
by Sara Boyd


Congressional representative Wally Herger visited the Workforce Connection office in Weed Thursday "to just see what's working," according to his field
 represntative, David Meurer.Chair of Human Resource Committee, Herger received an open house treatment from Workforce Connection staff, allowing him to tour the facilities and meet with the staff as well as several participants who are successfully employed through the Workforce Connection's programs. 

Jeanne Hough, Executive Director of  STEP, A Workforce Connection partner program, told Herger about the dedication of the office to helping people despite some hurdles, such as a lower budget than previous years.  "We keep doing what we can," said Hough.

Herger seemed pleased with the progress and work that the Workforce Connection has done for the community.  He especially liked hearing from a STEP participant about how much the program has helped. "There's nothing like hearing sucess stories," said Herger.  "That's what everybody likes to hear." 

Other Workforce Connection or STEP staff present were Josephine Wyatt from Business Services; Joanie Zarzynski from Business Resources; Sandie Brack, Administrative Assistant; Renee Barr, Lead Vocational Advisor; Tara Cunningham, Vocational Advisor; and Richard Negro, President of the STEP Board. 

Respresentative for partners of the Workforce Connection present were Nadine DellaBitta, Director of Siskiyou County Human Services; Charlie Brown, Director of NoRTEC; and Dody Virag from Siskiyou County Human Services, David Pelham, Ed.D, President of College of the Siskiyous, and Dennis DeRoss, Dean of the College of the Siskiyous.                             

Note:  Sara is in a work experience through the STEP Youth Program at the Southern Siskiyou Newspapers .
The Job of His Dreams
A Workforce Connection Customer Success Story!
by Steven K. Seki


I have lived in Siskiyou County since September of 1999, and feel very fortunate to have had a job that I really enjoyed.  I was Assistant Baseball Coach at College of the Siskiyous in conjunction with teaching several PE courses as an adjunct instructor.  I was also able to substitute teach at most of the schools in Weed, Mt. Shasta and Yreka.

Unfortunately, I found myself out of a job during this past summer.  To my dismay, I was forced to start searching for work elsewhere.  I searched the Internet to no avail.  It wa then that my girlfriend told me about the Workforce Connection and how they assist individuals with job search skills and training.  WC had everything I needed to find the job that I wanted.  WC offered free use of all job search related services such as Internet access, use of the laser printer, use of copy machines, as well as fax machine and phone use for both local and long distance calling.  However, I quickly found out that the people are what really make the WC so special.  Cheryl Murphy and Sharon Hall were always there to answer questions and to give sound, helpful advice.

I was able to find an Academic Advisor/Head Coach opening at Shoreline Community College in Seattle, Washington.  After I learned of this job announcement, Cheryl was a huge help in updating my resume, creating a cover letter, and assisting me in putting together an employment portfolio.  Everything looked so professional!

After being offered an interview, Cheryl set up a mock interview with Bruno Grossi, Hud Oates and Josephine Wyatt.  Preparing for and actually having the mock interview was incredibly helpful to me in experiencing the entire interview process.  The staff really took this step seriously and demanded professionalism from both myself and the mock interview panel.  It was the real deal!  The panel was able to give me some important tips on how to present myself ot the hiring committee. Their assistance was critical to the success of my interview process.

My interview process was a huge success largely due to the assistance and encouragement from the entire staff at the WC.  I felt confident, relaxed and completely prepared.  I am pleased to say I was offered the position the very next day!  I couldn't have done it without the help of all the wonderful people at the Workforce Connection!  Thank you!



Celebrating Customer Appreciation Month
 Workforce Connection Hosts Open House

In Celebration of October being Customer Appreciation Month, The Workforce Connection office in Weed held an open house on Thursday, October 7th, to showcase the work being done for the business community.  Display boards highlighted the Workforce Connection Business Services efforts in recruitment, pre-screening of applicants, use of interview facilites, writing an employee handbook, OSHA requirements, as well as assistance with starting a business. 

The open house was designed to celebrate the businesses that we assist and to also give businesses a  look at the facility and see what actually happens "behind the scenes."  The open house wasn't all business.  Guessts were treated to beverages, cookies and "chocolate kisses".  A drawing was held and first prize, a color TV, was won by Sandi Gasho from Sousa Ready Mix, second prize was a clock radio won by Linda May from Ellie's Bakery; and third prize was a gift basket won by Karen O'Quinn from Back of the Mountain Healthcare.  All three businesses are repeat customers of the Workforce Connection.






Late Breaking News!!!


The City of Weed has received confirmation that they have been chosen to submit a final proposal for grant for a $4,000,000 project for infrastructure to the South Weed Interstate 5 Interchange.  The Economic Development Administration grant will be for $2,000,000 towards that project.  The Project will construct roadway improvements, sewer and water extensions, railway crossing relocation as well as other enhancements. These improvements will support planned business expansions, new business to the region, and future growth, at three areas in the indudstrial zone totaling approximately 170 acres.  The goal of the project is to expand food processing and related agrictulure clusters, which will take advance of the Interstate 5 transportation corridor, rail service and the high quality of Mt. Shasta water. 

Shasta Foods, a lupin bean processing plant will be one of the first businesses to take advantage of the grant improvements.  The lupin bean is the base for a number of food projects sold throughout Europe and the process of separating the protein from the lupin bean has been patented under the trade name "Lopino." Lupina of Germany is the only company in Europe licensed to process lupin beans and Shasta Foods has purchased a 50 percent ownership in Lupin.  As part-owner of Lupin, Shasta Foods has gained access to all the know-how, research and product development conducted by Lupin. 

The lupin bean has all of the applications of a soy bean, and has more nutritional value but not the number of adverse side effect the soy bean produces.  Lupin beans have long tap roots and can access moisture at much greather depth, and lupin can be grown in marginal lands with limited irration waters, so it is excellently suited to Southern Oregon and Northern California soil and rain fall.  The four agricultural areas expected to first benefit are the Klamath Basin, the Scott Valley, the Shasta Valley and the Redding area. 

Estimates for job creation are, in cooperation with the City's private business partners, this investment will immediately create 160 new jobs and create another 605 jobs over the following three years. 



Joan Smith Day in Siskiyou County


Joan Smith, the Economic Development representative on the NoRTEC WIB and Siskiyou County Supervsior, was honored on Tuesday, December 14, 2004.  It was Joan Smith Day in Siskiyou County with the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, county employees, and her consituents giving her a special recognition on her last day as supervisor.

Smith was the focus of attention at her last meeting after serving as District One Supervisor since 1997.  After wining two terms of office, Smith decided not to run for reelection.  Her seat will be filled by Jim Cook beginning on January 4, 2005. 

During her nearly eight years of service to the county, Smith has been involved actively in the agriculture, land and water-use issues facing the county, often speaking as an advocate for District One and Siskiyou County in Sacramento and Washington.  Her service has earned her statewide recognition and a state office with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), one she will continue for another year. 

During the morning meeting Smith received a plaque of recognition from Doug LaMalfa , delivered by his field assistant Willis Preston.  Plaques were also received from the McCloud Community Services District, delivered by Community Services Administrator Peter Kampa, and from Shasta-Trinity National Forest delivered by District Ranger, Mike Hupp. 

During the afternoon reception in her honor, attended by more than a hundred people, Smith was presented with another plaque by the County Supervisors recognizing her years of service followed by accolades from her colleagues.  Smith said that she had enjoyed serving the county as supervisor. "The real joy of this job is the people you work with,"  she said.
Workforce Connection Sponsors Business Information Exchange


The Workforce Connection sponsored the Workers' Compensation Strategies for Employers seminar presented by Frank Sanderson, California Regional Manager of TOC Management Services.

Summary of changes provided by SB 899 were presented in this workshop. The topics included the importance of providing modified duty, the value of establishing a pre-exposure benchmark, and expanded control of medical care.

Unlike other reforms that took effect the year following the legislation of SB 899,  two significant changes apply immediately to all claims.

1. Permanent Disability and Apportionment - SB 899 provides for apportionment in determining permanent disability on ALL unsettled claims regardless of the date of injury. When determining the level of permanent disability,  physicians must address the causation. The physician must determine the percentage of permanent disability resulting from current work-related injury/illness and what portion was the result of other factors, including previous injuries/illnesses as well as non-industrial sources. Employees claiming industrial injuries/illnesses must upon request disclose all previous permanent disabilities and/or physical impairment including non- industrial conditions, e.g. degenerative disk disease, diabetes, etc.

SB 899 mandates the use of the American Medical Association guidelines to define levels of permananet disability. This changes includes increasing permanent disability benefits for those injured workers with disabilities of 70% - 99.75% and provides for benefit decreases for minor permanent disabilities.

2. Medical Treatment - For employee claims filed on or after April 19, 2004, medical treatement must be authorized within one working day after the filing, This provision requires authorization of up to $10,000 during the investigation or until denial of the claim.

Feedback received on the seminar was positive and employers are looking forward to the upcoming California Legislative Update seminar scheduled for January.



Santa Claus Stops at the Workforce Connection
Santa Claus made his annual trip from the North Pole and stopped at the Workforce Connection in Weed.    As every child (big and little)confessed if they had been "bad" or "good,"  Santa listened to their Christmas wishes.  Ninety-five children received a picture with Santa and a Christmas ornament to hang on the tree Staff from Siskiyou Modoc Regional Child Support Services and STEP, coordinated the annual event. 

 
                         



Santa's Helpers shown above: Griffin Hough (Jeanne's son), Christa Lemos (Josie's granddaugher), Brandi Leach (Laura's granddaughter), and the Workforce Connection elves.