Workforce Services Interim Committee
Members Present:
Rep. Orville D. Carnahan, Chair
Sen. Lorin V. Jones
Sen. Robert M. Muhlstein
Sen. Millie M. Peterson
Rep. Jeff Alexander
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Rep. Steve Barth
Members Excused:
Sen. Robert F. Montgomery, Chair
Members Absent:
Sen. Blaze D. Wharton
Rep. Duane Bourdeaux
Rep. Margaret Dayton
Rep. Lloyd W. Frandsen
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Rep. J. Brent Haymond
Rep. Bryan D. Holladay
Rep. Nora B. Stephens
Staff Present:
Arthur L. Hunsaker,
Research Analyst
R. Chet Loftis,
Associate General Counsel Barbara A. Teuscher, Committee Secretary
Note: Names of others present and copies of information distributed at the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held April 22, 1998
Chair Carnahan called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
MOTION: Sen. Jones moved to approve the minutes of April 22, 1998. The motion passed unanimously. Reps. Barth, Haymond, and Holladay were absent for the vote.
2. Staff Update: Current Workforce Services - related federal legislation
Mr. Hunsaker distributed a handout to committee members regarding S. 1577, Caring for Children Act, cosponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch. Mr. Hunsaker said the bill attempts to provide a financial incentive for states who comply with child care provider inspection targets. Bill sponsors have agreed to amend it to avoid conflicts with S.B. 26, Utah Child Care Licensing Act Revisions, passed in Utah's 1998 General Session.
3. Families, Agencies, and Communities Together for Children and Youth At Risk (FACT)
Mr. Curtis O. Johnson, Deputy Director, Department of Workforce Services, distributed a handout and presented an overview of the FACT program. Ms. Helen Thatcher, Employment Development Division, Department of Workforce Services, distributed handouts from which she gave an overview of FACT's presentations.
Ms. Patricia Bradley, staff to the FACT Steering Committee, discussed committee funding sources and explained flexible funds.
Ms. Glenna Boyce presented a case study of a family that received FACT services, explained the process used, the end results, and what the program had done for the family.
Mr. Tim Holm, Davis Area Manager, Department of Workforce Services, introduced Ms. Margaret Snow, Director of Nursing for the Davis County Health Department and Fiscal Officer for the Healthy Step Program. She mentioned that three years ago Davis County was one of two counties to receive a three-year grant to initiate the Healthy Steps Success by Six, a pilot program, and explained the funding sources. Ms. Snow indicated after three years the program will be continuing based on community collaboration of ten agencies committing resources. There are currently 66 families in the program, 150 children, and a waiting list of 26 families. Two family preservation grants have been obtained. The program is operated in Clearfield. Because of its efforts, Davis County will be participating in the Danforth Foundation Project.
Mr. Larry Burdett, Director of United Way in Davis County, discussed how the public entities collaborate with nonprofit organizations and the private sector in Davis County. He explained how difficult it is for government to be all things to all people. Mr. Burdett said the state has done a good job in dealing with private and nonprofit agencies.
Rep. Allen said the largest businesses in Davis County support the United Way and have bought into FACT.
Sen. Jones asked if religious organizations are integrated into the FACT program.
Ms. Nano Podolsky, Coordinator, Salt Lake City School District for the FACT Program, cited an example of significant religious community involvement.
Sen. Peterson asked how FACT becomes involved with clients they serve. Ms. Snow said someone in the community usually identifies a need.
Ms. Thatcher explained how FACT is funded and how funds are allocated. The FACT Steering Committee has adopted a strategic plan which includes consideration of options to current funding of on site based projects. She reviewed the critical components
of FACT in terms of the structure of interdepartmental communication.
Dr. Scott Williams, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Health, distributed handouts
from which he gave his presentation. Dr. Williams summarized the way he looks at FACT
and said one of the things he is interested in is making sure what is done for children has
positive results.
Note: Copies of Dr. William's presentation distributed at the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
Committee discussion and public comment followed Dr. William's presentation.
Rep. Frandsen said from a legislator's perspective, measuring the success of the
program is going to take a long period of time, requiring patience.
Sen. Peterson asked if a satisfaction survey had been done for people who have been served. Dr. Williams said a survey is being developed.
Ms. Julie Kilgrow, President of the United Way Great Salt Lake area, explained her
group's involvement and discussed the process used to organize the Success by Six Program.
She pointed out that private/public partnerships need to be improved.
Sen. Jones emphasized that people who are receiving these services do not recognize
that the funding comes from the public. He said accountability needs to be reinforced with
those citizens receiving help.
At Rep. Bourdeaux's request, Ms. Patricia Bradley, staff to the FACT Steering
Committee, presented an overview of current efforts to prepare for the end of the funding
cycle. Rep. Bourdeaux suggested that the committee could make a motion as to how to help
those receiving assistance. He also suggested a letter be written to Immigration Services to
help meet some of the needs or deal with some of the barriers as far as families trying to
receive services.
Ms. Roz McGee, Chair, Steering Committee, in response to Rep. Bourdeaux's questions, discussed the process of reallocating funds and the many challenges the steering
committee has before them, such as funding. She said it was reported to the committee that
there is a three-year funding cycle and a careful effort is required to figure out how that
money is to be allocated. Ms. McGee highlighted three options that the committee
discussed.
Rep. Haymond concurred with Sen. Jones's comment about public funds, emphasizing
the lost savings realized from prevention, the various needs for public funding, and the
limited resources available.
Rep. Allen said FACT is child oriented and emphasizes prevention which in the long
run will not only save money but maintain Utah's quality of life.
Sen. Muhlestein indicated the only chance these individuals have is for someone to
show them how to attain self-sufficiency by asking them what their goals are, what kind of
help they need, and teaching them how to reach their goals. He emphasized that the teams
need to be given a sense of direction for this to work.
Sen. Peterson referred to the three-year lifetime limit on welfare in the state and asked
when there will be a limit on corporate welfare.
Rep. Frandsen stated that legislators need to be careful not to make this program
bureaucratic. The committee may want to consider whether the program could be
strengthened by including someone representing the private sector or a nonprofit
organization at the coordinating council level.
4. Adjourn _ MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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