Get It From

The SourceFebruary 2020

Volume 16, Issue 8

In This Month’s Issue

Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board Welcomes New Chair - Darwin Smith

Page 1 & 2

Success Story - Christopher Scheid

Page 2

USCOM Workforce Development Council Meets in DC

Page 3

It’s Tax Season and VITA is Ready to Assist Local Residents With Free Tax Filing

Page 4

Success Story - Catrina DavisPage 5

STWDB Executive Director Recognized with HOF Game Ball

Page 6

Remember to Recycle in 2020Page 6

Tuscarawas County Gets the “Post Holiday Blues”

Page 6

Aultman’s WOW Van Gets OMJ Stark Ready for Flu Season

Page 7

United Way Financial Prosperity Center Offers Budgeting 101

Page 8

Tech Tips - Outlook and ExcelPage 9

Tuscarawas County Public Library Provides Job Search Books at OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County

Page 9

Buckeye Career Center to Hold Adult Education Open House

Page 10

Master Your Money to be Offered in Tuscarawas County

Page 11

Overheard in a WorkshopPage 12

Upcoming EventsPage 12

Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board Welcomes New Chair - Darwin Smith

The Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board welcomed a new board chair, Darwin Smith, in 2019. Smith is the Vice President

of Human Resources for Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital and joined the board in August 2009. He served as vice-chair starting October 2013 before becoming chair in October 2019, taking over for previous chair, David Wheeler. Wheeler, Customer & Community Experience Manager at AEP OHIO, served as board chair starting October 2013 and has served on the STWDB since July 2007.

Smith stated he initially joined the STWDB as he saw the importance of having a well-prepared potential job force. He shared, “when there are openings, we need to make sure people are qualified from a skills perspective, are aware of their job skills and are aware of the employment opportunities.” He sees the workforce system as providing additional education and training information to the community and lets individuals know the centers have the services to help get a new job.

While Smith doesn’t expect a lot of changes in his new role, he notes that, “The composition of the STWDB is a group of people who are not only leaders in their organizations, but also leaders in the community that are invested in improving the area. It’s a great opportunity to lead a group of active, involved individuals.”

Smith sees the STWDB as a conduit, bringing together various industries to make the community and individuals successful. “The board should see the needs of the community, as identified by the staff, and by gathering information from the community, industry, and staff to be able to best direct the workforce system.” He goes on to say, “The job of a non-profit board is to serve the best interest of the community. The staff do this work every day and are in tune with the needs and can recommend a course of action that, combined with other gathered information, can help the board in the decision-making process.”

In the next year, Smith expects to carry on the good work of the previous board. He notes, “The board makes decisions based on the staff, funding, industry and community. Our board works well with the staff and together make a positive impact.”

STWDB Executive Director Jennifer Meek Eells states, “I am so proud to be working with Darwin Smith as incoming Chair of the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board.

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Success Story - Christopher Scheid

Christopher Scheid was working at a job he loved until November 2019 when his position was eliminated. The company was switching him to a different position where he knew he would not be happy. Chris

decided to resign from his job to find something he knew he would like doing.

Chris stated he was actively looking for jobs and applied to job after job. He heard about OhioMeansJobs Stark County from his neighbor and decided to come and use our services.

Chris came in to the OhioMeansJobs Stark County office on a Tuesday and after attending orientation and learning about the services, felt that attending a few of the job search workshops would help his job search. He attended the “How To Ace An Interview” workshop, facilitated by Resource Room Specialist Melissa McKissick. Chris stated he had a phone interview Thursday morning while sitting in the parking lot of OhioMeansJobs Stark County before the workshop. Chris was offered a face to face interview that Friday.

Chris attended the workshop and shared, “I learned that you’re kind of interviewing them, too. The workshop reminded me to keep it on the professional side by answering the question and moving along. Just because there is silence doesn’t mean I have to keep talking. I struggle with talking too much and turning to the personal aspect of a conversation, this workshop reminded me to stay focused on the job. Also, asking questions is important.”

The following Monday Chris attended the workshop “Writing An Effective Resume” facilitated by Resource Room Specialist C’erra Wingo. During the workshop Chris received a phone call from Diebold Inc. offering him a job as an Implementation Coordinator.

Chris started his new job on 12/30/19.

New Chair: Darwin Smith...continuedDarwin is a champion for workforce development – not only in his field of healthcare through his work at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, but in advanced manufacturing and other high-demand occupations to meet the talent needs of businesses throughout our region in Ohio. Darwin is very involved in the community and participates in many initiatives. He is a very innovative thinker, and has a great sense of humor to go along with his creativity! I’m so glad he has been a consistent supporter of our programs provided by the OhioMeansJobs Centers through his participation on the workforce board. I’m looking forward to our continued work together.”

Smith states he is the classic “people person.” He looks at making a decision by how it will not only impact an industry, but how it will impact the individual. He finds, “It’s important to look at adding or cutting services based on what the impact will be to the community and the individuals.”

Smith shares that the classic story about the little boy returning starfish to the sea is the way the board should look at the decision-making process. In the story, a small boy was throwing back starfish into the ocean from a beach where many had washed ashore. A man approached the boy and told him that there were hundreds of starfish on the beach and he couldn’t possibly make a difference. The boy picked up a starfish and threw it in the ocean, saying to the man “it made a difference for that one.”

“If you help one person at a time, you help the whole community,” Smith affirms.

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PicturedJennifer Meek Eells, Executive Director, Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board

USCOM Workforce Development Council Meets in DC

Ohio representatives attending USCOM Workforce Development Council Meeting

Pictured (l to r)JoAnn Breedlove, Chief Operating Officer, Workforce Initiative

AssociationJennifer Meek Eells, Executive Director, Stark Tuscarawas Workforce

Development BoardLisa Patt-McDaniel, CEO, Workforce Development Board of Central

OhioRalph Sinistro, OhioMeansJobs Summit County Manager, Summit

County Job & Family Services

The United States Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council recently convened for their annual winter meeting in Washington DC from January 22-23, 2020. Peer to peer “best practices” were

presented, along with roundtables discussing such topics as apprenticeships, serving homeless populations, and opioid programs in workforce. Panel discussions included such topics as building an inclusive workforce and innovations to foster an intergenerational workforce.

Pictured (l to r)Trinh Nguyen, incoming president, USCOM Workforce Development Council, and Director, Mayor’s Office of

Workforce Development, Boston MAKatherine McClelland, Professional Staff, Committee on

Education & Labor, U.S. House of Representatives

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It’s Tax Season and VITA is Ready to Assist Local Residents With Free Tax Filing

United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is now scheduling appointments for the 2020 tax return season.

VITA assists individuals and families who have an income of $65,000 or less by filing their taxes for free. VITA volunteers work with clients to identify tax credits that are often overlooked, while helping people avoid the high cost of paid preparers and predatory lenders. Clients filing with direct deposit can typically expect a refund in 7-10 days.

Last tax season, United Way of Greater Stark County and its 106 IRS-certified VITA volunteers helped income tax clients in Stark, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties collect over $3.8 million in tax credits and refunds. Volunteer tax preparers donated 2,685 hours of their time in 83 clinics and helped complete 5,425 Federal and State returns.

“VITA helps taxpayers in our community save a substantial amount of money, bringing more money back into local businesses and stimulating the economy,” says United Way of Greater Stark County’s President & CEO Maria Heege.

Tax clinics are scheduled at multiple locations throughout Stark, Carroll and Tuscarawas Counties, so volunteer tax preparers and those filing tax returns have many opportunities to participate.

Clinic locations include Carroll County District Library, CSE Federal Credit Union, DoverPhila Federal Credit Union, Massillon Recreation Center, OhioMeansJobs (Stark & Tuscarawas Counties), Rodman Library (Alliance), Stark County District Libraries (Main, East Canton, Madge Youtz and Sandy Valley), Stark State College, United Way of Greater Stark County and Walsh University. Other sites may be announced throughout the season.

The clinics will start approximately January 29, 2020 and run through April 15, 2020. Clinic times may vary, based on location. VITA only accepts clients who have scheduled appointments. For an appointment please call 330-994-VITA (8482) beginning January 6, 2020. The appointment call center will be open Monday through Thursday, from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. VITA will accept dropped-off taxes at the United Way offices downtown, February 10 to April 6 on Mondays from 930AM – 530PM.

VITA will also hold events throughout the tax season that make it easier to accommodate residents’ busy schedules: a two-day tax-a-thon (January 31 & February 1) and two drive-thru drop-off events (February 29 & March 28).

“The VITA events increase awareness of our free program and make it a little easier for taxpayers to file their taxes,” explains VITA Site Coordinator Tami Stephens. “We help people access the tax credits for which they are qualified, while saving them money spent on filing fees, typically about $270.”

The service was named “Ohio Benefit Bank Site of the Year” by the Ohio Association of Food Banks for the past 5 years. VITA was also voted one of the top three tax services in Stark County in The Canton Repository’s Readers’ Choice Awards in the past few years.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.uwstark.org/vita or call 330-994-VITA (8482), Monday – Thursday, 10AM – 5PM.

Reprinted from United Way press release - January 14, 2020

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Success Story - Catrina Davis

A student attending Buckeye Career Center (BCC), in New Philadelphia, Ohio is embarking on a future career she never thought she would need at 57-years-old. Catrina Davis

of Alliance began in the BCC Adult Education Heavy Equipment/CDL A Operator program in August 2019 after losing her job in March at the Lordstown Assembly plant, creating the Chevrolet Cruze. Davis was employed there for 16 years, most recently serving as an assembly line coordinator. “We just figured they would pull through and stay open, maybe with a new product. Nobody knew anything,” said Davis. “They announced right before Thanksgiving break that the doors were closing but not the entire plant.” She was offered a transfer to a Missouri plant but declined that option.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time Davis had experienced this kind of disappointment. Her former employer, American Steel Foundries, where she worked as a crane and machine operator, closed its doors in 2001. “I had to start all over and got hired two years later in 2003 at Lordstown,” Davis said. She assumed she would finish her career at Lordstown, which is still possible, should Lordstown Motors, which recently purchased the plant, choose to hire back former employees. Davis is still technically a General Motors employee because the plant was unallocated, allowing her to continue collecting money towards retirement. In the meantime, Davis worked with OhioMeansJobs Centers and the local union hall. “Our TPA reps and union hall were pushing schooling. I was trying to decide what I wanted to do. I really didn’t want to come back to school at my age,” she said. Davis began her own research and ultimately found the Adult Education Heavy Equipment/CDL A program at BCC. “I’ve always been good at running stuff and can pretty much drive anything. So I could get my CDL and either go with heavy equipment, truck driving, or both. For me it was a good option,” explained Davis.

Meanwhile, tuition and fees for the BCC Heavy Equipment program typically costs a student $12,000, with financial aid available for those who qualify. Davis’ unique situation allowed her to apply for the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program (TAA), which according to the U.S. Department of Labor, provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. Jennifer Meek Eells, Executive Director to the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board which oversees the OhioMeansJobs Centers in both Canton and New Philadelphia, shared that the Lordstown GM plant idling impacted workers from the entire region. "Affected workers like Ms. Davis found assistance through the OhioMeansJobs Centers and the public workforce system to regain an edge to their job search through training and upskilling," Meek Eells said. "OhioMeansJobs Centers can assist job seekers in connecting with federal resources such as TAA and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding so that they can access training and secure more current certifications that will lead them right back to an in-demand job locally, making the same or even more money in wages that they did before they were dislocated. We are very fortunate in both Stark and Tuscarawas Counties to have strong partnerships with training entities like Buckeye Career Center who strive to offer training targeted to help their students secure high wage, in-demand jobs after they complete their programs." Davis is unsure of her future plans but is happy to have a career to fall back on if needed. “I feel positive and I think I could get a good job, but I still have options through General Motors,” Davis commented.

One of her instructors, Mr. Don Young, has no doubt in his mind that Davis will find success should she choose to pursue a career as an operator or go back to GM. Davis has passed her temporary CDL tests and will soon apply for an apprenticeship opportunity with the Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship and Training. As for being one of just two women in the program, Young says Davis stands out as one of his best students. “If I show her what to do, she picks up on it right away,” said Young. “She has the mentality of wanting to learn and a desire to learn. If you have that want and desire, you are going to go a long way. That’s a quality you have to have in this line of work,” he said. As part of the nine-month class, Davis is learning to run a track excavator, rubber tire hoe, track skid steer, track dozer, and commercial semi-trucks. She has the opportunity to earn her Class A Commercial Driver License, OSHA 10 certification, SafeLandUSA Basic certification, a career-technical certificate, and CPR/First Aid certificate. Davis is on track to walk the stage at graduation in May of 2020.

Reprinted from Buckeye Career Center Press Release, 12/13/2019

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STWDB Executive Director Recognized with HOF Game Ball

Pictured with Meek Eells is Janelle Lee, Strengthening Stark

Consultant

Tuscarawas County Gets the “Post Holiday Blues”

On Friday, January 10th, OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County joined schools, banks, government offices and companies in the 4th Annual “Post-Holiday Blues” Jeans Day to support United Way of Tuscarawas

County. Staff and partners purchased $5.00 stickers which entitled them to proudly wear their blue jeans and sticker in support of our local United Way.

The “Post-Holiday Blues” jeans day helps raise funds in support of the nineteen health and human service programs funded by United Way of Tuscarawas County.

Remember to Recycle in 2020

Did you know that we get paid for all the paper and cardboard that gets put in the paper bin in the Stark County parking lot? We were paid a little over $100.00 during 2019 and that money went towards the

“TES the Season” gift card program.

Remember, if your paper has confidential information, put it in the blue shred containers so it can be shredded prior to recycling. If paper doesn’t need to be shredded it can go directly in the bin or placed in box by the recycling containers in Stark County.

Let’s recycle in 2020!!

STWDB Executive Director Jennifer Meek Eells and OhioMeansJobs Stark County was recognized with a “game ball” at the Strengthening Stark Governance Committee meeting held at RG Drage Career

Center on January 14th. “Our workforce board and OhioMeansJobs Stark County center have been strong resources and conveners for many of the Strengthening Stark efforts over the past year,” said Meek Eells. “I’m glad we have better data on current open jobs across the county, and that we can use that data in economic and workforce development planning and programming. There is so much innovative work going forward through Strengthening Stark to make our community more prosperous and to retain and attract more young talent. I’m so proud that our workforce board and OhioMeansJobs center is a part of the team in moving Stark County in a positive direction.”

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Aultman WOW nurses provided blood pressure and BMI screenings for interested

customers and staff.

Resource Room Specialist Melissa McKissick checks her hands under the

germ light with Aultman WOW van nurse Monica Russell advising.

Aultman’s WOW Van Gets OMJ Stark Ready for Flu Season

With cold and flu season swinging into high gear, OhioMeansJobs Stark County welcomed Aultman’s Working on Wellness (WOW) van and nurses to give a presentation on how to be prepared on

Thursday, January 23. Nurses Monica Russell and Robin Totten shared that germs come from everywhere and are everyplace. To make sure to stay healthy, they advised attendees of some important points.

It is important to not touch the “T zone” on your face which includes your eyes, nose, and mouth. Monica shared that when you touch these areas, you expose yourself to the germs on your hands. The eye is especially vulnerable. She emphasized that when a person coughs, they should cough into their elbow, not into their hand.

Monica stated that you should wash your hands for a minimum of 15 seconds. However, it is best to wash your hands and then use a hand sanitizer immediate after. This way we make sure to thoroughly remove the germs on your hands. Monica noted it is important to get in the habit of washing your hands completely. Attendees were able to put their hands under a special germ light to see if they really had gotten all the germs off their hands when washing them.

Robin shared that when you sick it is important to stay home, get rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If you still feel ill, tired and worn out, you should not return to work. If you are on antibiotics, you want to have taken them for 24 to 48 hours before returning to work.

After their presentation, Monica and Robin completed blood pressure screens and BMI screens for interested staff and customers.

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United Way Financial Prosperity Center Offers Budgeting 101

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Tuscarawas County Public Library Provides Job Search Books at OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County

Tech Tips - Outlook and Excel

This month’s Tech Tips look at two Microsoft Office tools, Outlook and Excel. These tips are from the websites TechRepublic.com and HowStuffWorks.com.

How to use color to identify incoming Outlook messages By Susan Harkins

A conditional format is a format that’s applied when a component satisfies a specific condition or set of conditions. Conditional formats can identify incoming messages that share a common attribute, but Outlook decides whether the message matches the rule or not. For example, you might want to color all incoming messages from your boss or all messages that apply to the same project. For instance, if the incoming email is from boss@work.com, highlight the message in red. Or, if the subject text for the incoming message is “Nature’s Nook Renovation,” highlight the message in green.

Note: Type in the email address for the rule; don’t get it from your contacts or address book.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/office-q-a-how-to-use-color-to-identify-incoming-outlook-messages/

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

A bar graph is a two- or three-dimensional representation of data from the simplest to the most complex. This guide shows you how to make a bar graph in Excel for Office 365 (Excel 2016 and 2019), as well as older Excel versions.

https://computer.howstuffworks.com/how-to-make-bar-graph-in-excel.htm

OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County has a new addition to the Resource Room! Books on loan from the Tuscarawas County Public Library are on display and available for customers to read while at the center.

Books for all ages, children to adult, are geared around career choices, and job search topics. Two training books – Kaplan GED Test Prep Plus and Post Office Jobs (473 Postal Exam Study Guide and Job Finder) – are also available in the library book display.

Customers may apply for a digital library card online at www.tusclibrary.org as some books are also available in digital copy on the Overdrive and hoopla apps.

The Tuscarawas County OMJ center is pleased to partner with the Tuscarawas County Public Library to offer this additional resource. Dr. Seuss said it best, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you will learn, the more places you’ll go.”

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Buckeye Career Center to Hold Adult Education Open House

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Master Your Money to be Offered in Tuscarawas County

Diane Dearnaley

Attended: Writing an Effective Resume

“[I] was unaware of software tracking for resumes. [I] will revisit my resume. I learned a lot.”

Overheard in a Workshop

Get It From...The Source Page 12

OhioMeansJobsIn Stark County - 822 30th St. NW Canton, Ohio 44709 phone: 330-433-WORK (4675)

In Tuscarawas County - 1260 Monroe, Suite 35, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 phone: 330-364-9777On the Web at: http://ohiomeansjobs.com/stark and at: http://ohiomeansjobs.com/tuscarawas

February 11Career Concept Hiring Event

Stark County 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

February 11Overhead Door/Wayne Dalton Hiring Event

Stark County 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

February 12Stark County One-Stop Partner Meeting

8:30 a.m.

February 13 &14 U.S. Census Bureau Hiring Event

Stark County12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

February 17 Closed - President’s Day Holiday

February 21Tuscarawas County One-Stop Partner Meeting

8:30 a.m.

February 24 U.S. Census Bureau Hiring Event

Tuscarawas County10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

February 25 U.S. Census Bureau Hiring Event

Tuscarawas County12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Timeisha Jackson

Attended: Internet Job Search Made Easy

“This class has taught me a lot. I now know how to search for jobs as well as tips that will make it easier. These classes are

very helpful. Thank you!”