July 28, 2020
Workforce Development & COVID-19
Today’s Update

OneWorkSource is working hard to keep you updated daily
with local info on COVID-19 & the workforce.

Check out our  website  for our daily newsletters and other information to stay informed.

Stay healthy!
ADD YOUR VOICE TO OURS AND ADVOCATE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT!

Workforce development IS economic development and time is of the essence as we need your voice to be added to ours by signing on to a letter to Congress. As of last night, the Senate Republicans agreed to the HEALS Act, the starting point for negotiations for Republicans, that includes the following:

  • $950 million for WIOA Title I, including $500 million for Dislocated Worker, and then $150 million each for Adult, Youth, and DW National Reserve.
  • $350 million for Wagner Peyser
  • There is no funding for Title II or Vocational Rehabilitation
  •  $1+ billion for state to process UI claims
  • The expiring $600/week federal bonus would be decreased to $200/week through the end of September, which would be replaced in October with a payment (up to $500/week) combined with the state UI portion which would replace 70% of lost wages. States unable to process this change by October 5th could apply for a DOL waiver to extend the flat payment for 2 months that includes around $950 in direct WIOA funding for job training. 

I am not sure how else to put this other than -- this should be alarming to you .  

We went from $15.6 billion for the workforce system in the Relaunching America’s Workforce Act (RAWA), over $2 billion for the HEROES Act, NOW WE ARE DOWN to $950 million in this Senate package. Negotiations will be happening over the next 10 days or so.

  • PLEASE SIGN YOUR ORGANIZATION ON to the STATEWIDE LETTER that NYATEP (the state workforce development association) will send on behalf of the workforce system to New York's Congressional delegation. We need you to sign on NOW! If you have already done so, thank you!! We absolutely need to get this letter out by Wednesday.
  • EMAIL OR CALL (EVERY DAY) Congresswoman Stefanik and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. Contact snelson@ncworkforce.com for the letter template and e-mails to our NY Congressional delegation.
  • Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. and tag Congresswoman Stefanik and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand using #FundWorkforceRecovery as the hashtag. We are aiming for 3x a day.

The message we got from our Reps and Leadership in Congress after calls last night and this morning—THEY ARE NOT HEARING FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY -- they are not hearing that workforce development is important to our nation's recovery. What this means, although they are "supporters" of our work, when it comes down to negotiations, they are negotiating workforce development out in favor of other priorities.

We have about 10 days while negotiations are underway. This is the time to act, to call every day -- to be sure you are heard.
 
THANK YOU for your support and advocacy! Our workforce development system depends on it!
 
Sylvie Nelson, IOM
Executive Director
North Country Workforce Development Board
Virtual Management Training Series

Dates:   August 4th through September 15th (Full Class Schedule Below)

Time:   All classes will run from 11:00AM – 12:30PM

Cost:  Free ; Registration Required (Registration links forthcoming)
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer a free, virtual Management Training Series designed to help employees from small-to-mid-sized businesses obtain and develop the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to be effective managers in the workplace! Whether you're working toward a promotion, recently assumed a managerial role, or have been a manager for years

Classes are free to attend, but registration is required . Registration will be offered on a class-by-class basis. Interested parties can sign-up for 1 class, 2 classes, or the entire series

The first class, “Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace”, will be held on August 4th - additional information and registration links for each class are coming soon! Keep an eye out on   northcountrychamber.com   for more information.

Management Training Series Class Schedule:

  •  Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (Tuesday, August 4th) - Dr. Cromwell, Vice-President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at SUNY Plattsburgh


  • Motivating, Coaching, and Mentoring for Performance (Tuesday, August 11th) - Sharon Van Auken, CITEC

  • Time Management to Boost Productivity (Tuesday, August 18th) - Scott McKenna, Catamount Consulting

  • Basics of Employment Law (Tuesday, August 25th) - Sharon Van Auken, CITEC



  • Business Etiquette & Ethics (Tuesday, September 15th) - Sharon Van Auken, CITEC

If you have questions, Contact Joel or by phone 518.563.1000 
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Need Help with Reopening Expenses?

The North Country Chamber of Commerce was awarded funding to help reimburse our small businesses for some of their expenses related to equipment and materials needed for re-opening.

The grant can reimburse costs you incurred for purchasing:

·    Sanitizer                      
·    Masks and face shields
·    Special safety related signage        
·    Modifications to business site (plexi-glass barriers, etc.)
·    Other PPE and safety needs
·    And other special equipment and/or supplies related to safely reopening and operating your business

FYI:
Small businesses can apply for grants up to $250 and they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, until the funds are exhausted. 

How to Apply?

There are two ways to apply, but all applications must include copies of your receipts:


If you have any questions please email Ashlie Ross from the North Country Chamber of Commerce
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