AGENDA

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES

INTERIM COMMITTEE

UTAH LEGISLATURE

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 • 2:30 p.m. • Room 20 House Building

 

Approximate

 Time Frame

 2:30             1.   Committee Business

·         Call to order

·         Approval of the minutes of the May 20, 2015, meeting

 

 

2:35             2.   Department of Workforce Services Assistance Programs

The Department of Workforce Services administers or determines eligibility for some 24 public assistance programs. In cooperation with the department, an updated summary has been prepared that briefly describes each program, including its purpose, eligibility requirements, benefit amounts and restrictions, administrative contact information, and statutory citations. The committee will hear a briefing on the programs from committee staff and further program descriptions, achievements, challenges, and long-term issues from the department.

 

·         Benjamin N. Christensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

·         Jon S. Pierpont, Executive Director, Department of Workforce Services

 

 

3:00            3.   Performance Audit of DWS (Department of Workforce Services)

                          Customer Service and Follow-Up

On May 5, 2015, the Legislative Auditor General released a Performance Audit of DWS Customer Service and Follow-Up. The audit addressed whether DWS appropriately responds to customer service complaints, monitors and seeks to improve customer service, and has acted on previous audit recommendations. The auditors will present their findings and recommendations, and a representative of DWS will respond.

·         Leah Blevins, Audit Supervisor, Office of the Legislative Auditor General

·         Jon S. Pierpont, Executive Director, Department of Workforce Services

 

 

 3:20             4.   Intergenerational Poverty Five- and Ten-Year Plan

On March 31, 2015, the DWS issued a report "Utah's Plan for a Stronger Future: Five- and Ten-Year Plan to Address Intergenerational Poverty." Thirty-three percent of children in public assistance are at risk of remaining in poverty into adulthood. Representatives of the department will present plans to address this issue.

 

·         Jon S. Pierpont, Executive Director, Department of Workforce Services

·         Ann Williamson, Executive Director, Utah Department of Human Services

·         David Patton, Executive Director, Utah Department of Health

 

 

3:50              5.   Child Care Providers for Low-Income Workers

The Child Care Assistance Program provides child care assistance to low-income families to allow parents to work outside the home (see Utah Code Section 35A-3-201 et. seq.). A representative from the Office of Child Care will explain the program and current issues related to paying child care providers.

 

·         Tracy Gruber, Director, Office of Child Care, Department of Workforce Services

 

 

4:10              6.   Affordable Housing and Transit

                     During the 2015 General Session, H.B. 437, "Affordable Housing Modifications," was introduced but did not pass. The bill would have required public transit districts that invest in transit-oriented development to contribute to affordable housing. What opportunities exist to establish more affordable housing near transit hubs and in other areas?

 

·         Steve Erickson, Consultant, Crossroads Urban Center

·         Steve Meyer, Chief Development Officer, Utah Transit Authority

·         Tara Rollins, Executive Director, Utah Housing Coalition

 

 

4:55              7.   Other Committee Business / Adjourn