LA CROSSE COUNTY W-2 COMMUNITY STEERING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
La Crosse County Human Services
7:45 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jackie Helgeson, Beverly Mach, Tom Miller, Ed Ryan, Vicki Truscott-Tridle, Nancy Wagner, Jodi Widuch
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jerry Huber
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paula Egge, Raphie Freismuth, Marcia Jagodzinske, Mary Ellen Prinsen, Richard Sage, Peter Thao,
OTHERS PRESENT: Nancy Gardner
CALL TO ORDER
Vicki Truscott, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:55 a.m.
INTRODUCTIONS
Introductions not necessary at this meeting. Tina Heyer from Alterra Sterling House will not be attending future meetings. A replacement is needed to fill this vacancy. Festival did not respond to the invitation to join the committee. Kwik Trip and CAPP will be contacted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the May 20, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion passed.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Vicki Truscott-Tridle shared information on a conference by the Share Community Action Program Association “Poverty Matters” to be held September 18-19, 2008. Conference presenters are Reggie Bicha and Jodi Levin-Epstein.
Bev Mach also mentioned a conference by the Wisconsin Food Security Consortium in Richland Center on September 23, 2008, “Setting the Table for Action”.
CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION TO EDUCATE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES OF W2 COMMITTEE’S ROLE - ALL
Vicki Truscott-Tridle looked at minutes of other W2 committees in the State in an effort to see if there was information our committee could use to educate the community about the program. Jodi Widuch suggested an employer breakfast to get information or programs available to local employers. Vicki asked if a survey could be sent to employers asking them what their needs might be. Jackie Helgeson suggested a mentoring project one time per month. It was decided that this was beyond the scope of this committee. Bev Mack read over the committee’s mission. Vicki wondered if we could target Employee Assistance Programs and human resource departments to either invite them to a meeting or to develop educational materials and lists of resources to help people coming to them who are struggling economically. Another suggestion was to get on agenda(s) of committees already meeting to hand out packets and briefly discuss resources available.
OTHER BUSINESS - None
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORT
Ed Ryan distributed four handouts and briefly explained each one. The La Crosse metropolitan statistical area (including La Crosse County, WI and Houston County, MN) ranked 2nd (tied with Eau Claire County). Wisconsin unemployment is at 4.8% compared to national average of 6%. Unemployment rate for the City of La Crosse was at 5% 3 months ago and is at 5% now. Ranking has fallen from the 8th lowest to the 13th, out of 30 of the larger cities in Wisconsin. In July the unemployment rate for La Crosse County was 4.1%; a month ago 4.4%; and a year ago 3.9%. The unemployment rate for the metropolitan statistical area is trending higher than a year ago at this time.
W2 Caseload
Tom Miller reported a W2 Caseload of 23; 18 of the 23 are on maternity leave and have jobs to return to; 5 are on bed rest during their pregnancy and/or are awaiting SSI.
VISION 2020 VIDEO PRESENTATION
At the May 20, 2008 meeting Bev Mach suggested the Committee view the 2020 Video. The video presentation was a positive approach to statewide war on poverty. It shared success stories and a desire to end childhood poverty by 2020.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
Replacement for Lisa Hahn and Tina Heyer – Kwik Trip/CAPP
Economic Outlook Report
Committee Members – Bring Ideas/Resources for Informational Materials to Distribute to Employers
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. at La Crosse County Human Services, Administrative Conference Room.
The above minutes may be approved, amended, or corrected at the next Committee meeting.
Nancy Gardner, Recorder