Workforce Services Interim Committee
Members Present
Sen. Robert F. Montgomery, Chair Rep. Duane Bourdeaux
Rep. Orville D. Carnahan, Chair Rep. Margaret Dayton
Sen. Lorin V. Jones Rep. Lloyd W. Frandsen
Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Sen. Millie M. Peterson Rep. J. Brent Haymond
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen Rep. Bryan D. Holladay
Rep. Steve Barth Rep. Nora B. Stephens
Members Absent: Staff Present:
Sen. Blaze D. Wharton Arthur L. Hunsaker, Research Analyst
Rep. Jeff Alexander R. Chet Loftis, Associate General Counsel Barbara A. Teuscher, Legislative Secretary
Note: A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting is on file in the Office of Legislative
Research and General Counsel.
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held November 19, 1997.
Chair Montgomery called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
MOTION: Sen Peterson moved to approve the minutes of November 19, 1997. The motion passed unanimously with Senator Muhlestein and Representatives Frandsen and Haymond absent for the vote.
Mr. Mason M. Bishop, Director, Office of Public Affairs, Department of Workforce Services, said that H.B. 375, 1996 General Session, directed that a study be conducted during the 1999 fiscal year to determine whether the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation should be placed within the Department of Workforce Services. Mr. Bishop said the group would report back to the committee with a recommendation before the end of the year.
Rep. Goodfellow referred to the child care bill that is going through the United States Congress under the sponsorship of Senator Hatch. According to his information, it appears the bill differs significantly from S.B. 26, the bill passed by Senator Blackham in the 1998 General Session, which raised the limit on how many children home child care providers could serve before having to apply for a certificate or licensure. He expressed an interest in having staff look into the legislation and report back to the committee.
Rep. Haymond discussed concerns with child care and asked Mr. Bishop for an update from the department. Mr. Bishop discussed child care programs in Utah and low income child care issues. He indicated the biggest concern in Utah is having enough daycare slots.
2. Presentations -- Department of Workforce Services
Employment Center Design
Mr. Robert C. Gross, Executive Director, Department of Workforce Services, distributed handouts from which he gave his presentation. He then explained the department's vision, mission, slogan, and unifying principles. Mr. Gross and Mr. Bishop explained the reasoning behind the employment center design.
Committee Discussion followed.
Rep. Dayton asked Mr. Gross what type of advertising has been done to emphasize the department's employment services. Mr. Gross said the department has been airing a number of public service announcements on both radio and television. The goal is to reach as many potential clients as possible. One of the things that has been stressed is not competing with the private sector.
Employee Survey Results
Mr. Gross referred to the handout entitled, "1997 Employee Survey Results." He indicated the large percentage of Workforce Services Employees who responded to the survey clearly demonstrates their level of interest in being heard. The survey results in general indicate that, although employees are generally satisfied with their jobs, the department acknowledges there is room for improvement. The creation of the Department of Workforce Services, which brought together employees from various state and county agencies, has caused an upheaval in the work routine of many employees. The department is using the results of the survey to address areas of concern.
Committee discussion followed.
Automation Integration Status Report
Mr. Curtis O. Johnson, Deputy Director, Department of Workforce Services, addressed current efforts in automation integration. Automation can make a significant impact on the efficiency of service a public assistance client seeks, particularly from the employment centers. The department is working to ensure that automation supports the work of employees to give their clients the best service possible.
Future Innovations and Projects
Virginia Byrd, Manager, Eligibility Pilot Program, distributed a handout from which she gave her presentation. She discussed the department's plans to shift to centralized eligibility process that could be accessed by clients by phone, in some cases 24 hours a day. The Eligibility Pilot Program is designed to result in several benefits to clients, including greater efficiency of staff as they integrate the new technology into their work, and the simplification and integration of department programs. The program is scheduled to be phased in during 1998-99.
Committee discussion followed.
3. Selection of Study Items for 1998
Sen. Montgomery referred to the page entitled, "Workforce Services Interim Committee Potential Work Plan elements _ 1998" and invited committee members to choose from the list of submitted issues, as well as others they may wish to propose, in choosing what the committee will study during the interim.
MOTION: Rep. Bourdeaux moved to study the FACT Committee and its allocation of funds. The motion passed unanimously with Senator Muhlestein and Representatives Barth, Frandsen and Haymond absent for the vote.
MOTION: Rep. Goodfellow moved to study current federal legislation in the welfare reform area, including vocational rehabilitation and welfare to work, and have staff provide periodic briefings on the legislation. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
MOTION: Sen. Millie Peterson moved to study child care issues, including a review of existing law granting time off from work to parents during the first months a new child is at home, and periodic reports from the Child Care Task Force. Rep. Haymond also expressed interest in the impact of federal child care legislation and policies on the Department of Workforce Services. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
MOTION: Rep. Frandsen moved to study Department of Workforce Services outcome measures, and how to translate those outcome results into the reallocation of resources. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
MOTION: Rep. Carnahan moved to study Master Study Item # 213, Child Support Service Delivery. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
MOTION: Rep. Goodfellow moved to authorize the committee chairs to work with staff to finalize the list of studies and reports as part of the letter from the Workforce Services Interim Committee to the Legislative Management Committee outlining the committee's work plan for 1998. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
Committee Business/Adjourn
Rep. Goodfellow moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 AM. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Barth and Holladay absent for the vote.
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