January 14, 2025 Minutes

Workforce Development Board Regional Minutes

Employment Services - 315 N. 11th Ave, Bldg. B, Greeley, CO 80631
Meeting Location: First Floor Conference Room
Meeting: January 14, 2025 - 12:00 a.m. - 1:0 p.m.

Board Members Present:
Alex Kloehn, Amanda Ericson, Bill Johnson, Cecil Courtney, David Zumbrun, Karla Torczon, Kelly Folks, Lauren Price, Lisa Taylor, Lisa Vaughn, Matthew Hortt, Meghan Greene, Michael Wailes, Nick Spezza, Rich Werner, Robert Rigg, Lynette Peppler, Shawn Croissant, Victoria Cordova, Zach Huston.

Absent:
Phil MacHendrie, David Thompson, Justin Booker.

Others Present: 
Andrew Chadwick, Greg Cordova, Karina Amaya-Ragland, Ruth DeBoer, Tami Grant, Dan Betts, Thomas Hartman.

Quorum Present: Yes

  1. Call to Order
    1. The meeting was called to order at 12:02 pm
  2. Introductions and Meeting Materials
    1. Meeting folders will be provided monthly. The agenda and relevant documents will be placed on the right side for attendees to take, while the acronym reference sheet on the left side should remain for future meetings.
  3. Board Elections
    1. Chair for 2025: Victoria Cordova (Banner Health)
    2. Chair-Elect for 2025 (Chair for 2026): Lisa Vaughn (Golden Aluminum)
      • Motion: To approve Victoria Cordova as Chair and Lisa Vaughn as Chair-Elect.
      • Moved by: Amanda Ericson
      • Seconded by: Michael Wailes
      • Vote: Unanimous approval
  4. Agenda Adjustments
    1. One modification was made under the Miscellaneous section.
  5. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
    • Motion: To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
    • Moved by: Shawn Croissant
    • Seconded by: Bill Johnson
    • Vote: Unanimous approval
  6. New Initiative: Workforce Wins
    1. A new initiative, “Workforce Wins,” has been introduced to highlight success stories from Employment Services. These updates will cover various programs and age groups, demonstrating the real-world impact of workforce initiatives. Members are encouraged to share these stories within their networks to help showcase the exceptional work happening in Weld County.
  7. Unfinished Business
    1. High-Performing Board Designation
      1. Thomas Hartman presented the 2023 High-Performing Board Certification to the Weld County Workforce Development Board. This marks the seventh consecutive year of achieving this recognition, reflecting the board’s dedication and hard work in supporting workforce initiatives throughout Weld County.
    2. Program Year 2023 Monitoring Report
      1. Liz Barber provided an update on the Program Year 2023 Monitoring Report, which highlighted:
        1. Two promising practices:
          • Youth Committee Involvement: Youth voices contributing to workforce discussions.
          • Veterans Service Office (VSO) Integration: The transition of VSO services into Employment Services.
        2. Findings: One minor compliance issue was identified and successfully resolved onsite in September 2024.
  8. Announcements, Updates & Celebrations
    1. Awareness Committee
      • Chair Update: The Q1 2025 newsletter will feature a note from the new Chair, Victoria Cordova, and highlight upcoming events, including a Young Adult Job Fair on March 12.
      • Legislative Updates: Members should remain attentive to potential policy changes at the federal level, including immigration policies, labor regulations, and economic trends that may directly impact Weld County businesses and workers.
      • Bureau of Labor and Statistics Update: Andrew Chadwick reported on the suspension of employment, unemployment, and wage data for Colorado.
    2. Youth Committee
      • Youth Presentation at NAWDP Conference: Lisa Taylor provided an update on the Youth Committee’s successful presentation at the NAWDP Conference, highlighting how well it went over having their youth representatives that sit on the committee filmed for the presentation.
      • Greg and Lisa emphasized the importance of youth apprenticeships in providing real-world experience and skill development tailored to the needs of Weld County's young workforce.
      • Justice-Involved Youth Program: Greg Cordova discussed the new program in partnership with the 19th Judicial District and Youth for Christ, designed to support justice-involved youth in gaining employment experience and successfully integrating into the workforce.
      • Employer Engagement: The committee highlighted the need for increased employer support in providing work opportunities for youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment.
      • Book Recommendation: Lisa Taylor recommended The Anxious Generation as a valuable resource for understanding the challenges young people face in the workforce.
    3. Economic Forecast Event Summary
      1. Key Insights:
        • Colorado is a leader in workforce utilization.
        • Labor shortages and wage growth continue to shape economic conditions.
        • Colorado’s wage growth (7.4%) exceeded the national average, impacting job seekers and employers alike in our region.
  9. Board Focus Topics
    1. State Structure Changes
      • Notice of Funding Allocations (NFAs) are experiencing processing delays of up to two additional weeks due to CDLE’s organizational changes.
      • CDLE Structural Overhaul: The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has restructured operations to improve efficiency.
      • Connecting Colorado Enhancements: Major system improvements are underway. A demonstration will be scheduled for a future board meeting to show how these updates will benefit Weld County businesses and job seekers.
    2. WIOA Reauthorization
      • Legislation Stalled: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization did not progress in 2024 and is now pending under the new administration.
      • Policy Concerns: Certain provisions in the proposed reauthorization were problematic for workforce development professionals, so we’re not completely sad it didn’t pass, we’ll see what the new administration brings to the table.
  10. Upcoming Events
    1. Joint Regional Workforce Development Board Meeting
      • Date: February 12, 2025 | Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
      • Location: Joint meeting with Larimer County Workforce Development Board
      • Agenda Highlights:
        • Energy Sector & Future Workforce Trends: Presentation by Chevron
        • Customized Training Framework: Larimer County findings
        • CSU Powerhouse Energy Campus Tour
    2. Regional Talent Summit
      • Date: February 25, 2025
      • Location: University of Northern Colorado (UNC)
    3. Chamber Dinner
      • Date: February 20, 2025 | Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
      • Location: Island Grove Park
      • Board Participation Encouraged: Members are urged to attend to represent Weld County’s 2024 workforce accomplishments.
  11. Miscellaneous Updates
    1. Employment & Training Operator Position
      • New Appointment: Greg Cordova has accepted this role.
    2. Workforce Deputy Director Vacancy
      • CeCe’s Transition: CeCe has accepted a new role within DHS as Policy Advisor.
        • Recruitment Update: The initial job posting for the Deputy Director, in December yielded limited candidates. A new posting in January is expected to attract stronger applicants.
    3. CCCAP Freeze Update: Weld County will be the last of the large counties to implement a Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) freeze. Applications will be accepted until January 31, with an expected surge in family enrollments during this period. Families receiving child care assistance through child welfare, protective services, or TANF will remain eligible. Leadership and county commissioners made this difficult decision due to funding constraints, and the state director of CCCAP has indicated that the freeze may last between three to five years. Anna Korthuis, the child care program manager, is conducting presentations to inform families and providers about the process and available resources.
  12. Action Items
    1. Board Participation: Members are encouraged to attend meetings regularly.
    2. Board Recruitment: There are vacancies for a Business Representative in the following sectors:
      • Other Services (except Public Administration)
      • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
      • Administrative and Support Services
      • Transportation and Warehousing
      • Interested individuals should contact Andrew Chadwick or Ruth DeBoer.
  13. Adjournment
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 1:34 PM.

Strategic Goals

  1. Goal 1 – Open Opportunities for Workers and Communities
    • Increase equitable economic opportunity for individuals who experience barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, zip code, and socioeconomic status.
    • Ensure programs focus on workers and Weld County communities who have been left behind – from reentry, to rural, to opportunity youth.
    • Increase affordability of career connected education and training for Weld County residents of all skill levels who have completed or left the K-12 education system.
  2. Goal 2 – Building a Better Care Economy
    • Increase the quality of upskilling opportunities, jobs, and career pathways in Northern Colorado.
    • Support good jobs and protections for care workers – nursing, early care, elder care, mental health, and more – with a focus on low-wage, diverse, young adult, and women workers.
  3. Goal 3 – New Industry Partnerships that Lead to Real, Good Jobs
    • Equip employers with the knowledge to modernize their recruitment practices, eliminate bias, and design competitive compensation packages that attract and retain top talent.
    • Empower employers to create robust career development programs and foster a culture of belonging, leading to happier and more engaged employees.
    • Enhance access to programming creating more seamless connections between high school, post-secondary education, and the workforce.
    • Broker and build partnerships with business, training providers, and workers – including new entrants and youth – to ensure all training leads to good jobs across sectors.
  4. Goal 4 – Action Today for the Future of Work
    • Engage federal, state, and local leaders and the private sector to prepare, support, and invest in workers and communities in preparation for jobs of the future and emerging industries. 

Upcoming Events

Regional Meeting: 2/12/2025; 1:45 PM to 4:00 PM
Awareness Committee Meeting: 2/11/2025; 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM (12:00 PM-1:00 PM Virtual)
Youth Committee Meeting: 2/18/2025; 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM (12:00 PM-1:30 PM Virtual)

Assurance

  1. Veterans and eligible spouses are entitled to priority access to Department of Labor-funded programs.
  2. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Dial 711 for Relay Services.
  3. Employment Services of Weld County is an equal opportunity program and employer.
  4. NFA’s: – A Notice of Funding Allocation is a document issued by the State that authorizes funding allocations for Program Resources to the Local Area in support of the State’s workforce system and the One Stop Delivery System.
  5. WIOA: – The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. WIOA helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.
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