North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and ... Regional Planning and Development ... NORTH...
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North Central Pennsylvania Regional
Planning and Development Commission
Semi-Annual Report July—December 2016
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Table of Contents
Community Development/Regional Planning 4
Enterprise Development Program 13
Human Resource Department 21
Information Technology Program 23
Workforce Development Board 25
Workforce Development Operations 29
WIC Program 31
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MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
The Department has been charged with developing integrated strategies and policies for
community development and regional planning activities that are consistent with the
organizations Regional Action Strategy and Strategic Plan.
ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENT GOALS
Promote cooperative efforts among community (county, city and municipal
governments) and economic development agencies that advance individual and
common interests in targeting commercial, industrial and infrastructure development
that is data driven and supported
Promote quality of life initiatives while safeguarding the region’s assets
Assess and inventory regional infrastructure needs, including water, sewer,
transportation, energy, utilities, recreation, education, healthcare, housing and site
remediation
Expand community outreach and engagement in a range of regional planning and
development topics
Establish and implement a communication plan to update stakeholders and the general
public, share success stories, and promote community and regional planning
Collect, compile, organize, analyze and disseminate data and data procedures needed
for regional policy-setting and decision-making using the evolving capabilities of GIS
Provide a desirable work environment and promote employee excellence
PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES
Appalachia Regional Commission/Economic Development Administration (ARC/
EDA) - Provides assistance and support to public infrastructure such as water and
wastewater system improvements, industrial parks, industrial multi-tenant buildings,
access roads to industrial areas, and other similar projects that promote community/
economic development and job creation.
Energy Program – Provides assistance to business, local government agencies and
communities to help reduce pollution and save energy.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/REGIONAL PLANNING
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
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Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) – Assists local governmental agencies
with information technology, software and related training services.
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) – Promotes transportation technology
through training, technical assistance and other customer services to elected municipal
officials and their staff.
• Transportation Planning – Provides a forum where federal, state, regional and local
decision makers identify issues/opportunities, conduct studies and make informed
recommendations regarding the programming and implementation of transportation
projects.
Geographic Information System (GIS) – Collaborates with governmental agencies,
community and business leaders as well as internal North Central departments to
provide access to high quality geographic information.
Community Development/Regional Planning – Encourages the exchange of meaningful
strategies on how communities can soundly manage growth and development to
efficiently and effectively link land use, transportation, and economic development
decision making at a regional level (Greenway Planning, PA Wilds, etc.).
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD
The Community Development Department remains extremely active and during the past six
months, staff continued to promote cooperative efforts between community and economic
development agencies throughout the region. As the progress report will indicate, outreach and
engagement in a range of regional planning, tourism, and municipal assistance took precedence,
including the continued monitoring and participation in activities related to the Community
Development, Municipal Assistance and infrastructure impacts.
Below you will find additional core program activities for this period:
A. Appalachian Regional Commission
During the July through December 2016 reporting period, staff were involved with four
funding previously submitted, one approved application and ten new projects seeking Fiscal
Year 2017 funding consideration. Funding applications submitted:
• Sandy Township Industrial Drive Interconnect Access Road -This project is a 2,580 foot
log access road in Sandy Township, Clearfield County, to connect Industrial Drive with
Shaffer Road. (ARC request: $880,000, other local funds $220,000. Total cost:
$1,100,000.) This project was approved in late August 2016.
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• Elk County Community Recycling Center Equipment Project - This project sought
funding for new equipment at the new recycling facility in St. Marys, Elk County.
(ARC request: $140,240, other funds $163,194. Total project cost: $303,444.) This
project was not approved by September 30, 2016 and a request for reconsideration was
submitted.
• Bradford Historic Streetscape Project - Funding was requested for engineering services
for infrastructure improvements serving the downtown historic district in the City of
Bradford, McKean County. (ARC request: $200,000, other funds $225,000. Total
cost: $425,000.) This project is part of an estimated $5,400,000 total project cost for
downtown infrastructure. This project was approved in September 2016.
• North Central Workforce Skill Gap Project - This project would provide funding for
wages for disadvantaged youth introducing them to the world of work in
approximately 10 communities in the region and six businesses. (ARC request:
$65,000, other funds $140,000. Total project cost: $205,000.) This project was
approved in September 2016.
• Potential new projects seeking fiscal year 2017 funding consideration:
• Beaver Meadow Industrial Park Access Road Upgrades - The project is located in the
City of DuBois, Clearfield County, and would add a .6 mile third lane at the east end of
the existing road in the Beaver Meadow Industrial Park. The project’s estimated cost is
$1,937,750 and the ARC funding request is $755,700.
• Bradford Regional Medical Center Patient Centric Equipment Enhancements - The
project is located in the City of Bradford, McKean County, and would provide new
high technology equipment to serve patients in a best of breed capacity. Total project
cost is estimated to be $207,935 and the ARC funding request is $103,967.50.
• Brockway Access Road Project - The project is located in Brockway Borough,
Jefferson County, and would build a new 700 foot long access road in a northerly
direction off the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 28 and US Route 219 as part of
a $3.3 million intersection reconstruction. The ARC request is for 100% funding in
the amount of $300,000.
• Curwensville Streetscape Master Plan - The project is located in Curwensville Borough,
Clearfield County, and would involve the hiring of a consultant to prepare a master plan
for developing local community assets and improved features for a more attractive
downtown/central business district. Total project cost is estimated at $220,000 and the
ARC request is $60,000.
• Driftwood Water System Plant Well Reconstruction - This project is located in
Driftwood Borough, Cameron County. The project consists of drilling a new water
supply well 10 to 15 feet from the existing well and the necessary pumping
equipment. Estimated cost is $150,000 and the ARC request is $75,000.
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• Galeton’s Berger Lake and Dam Feasibility Study - The project is located in Galeton
Borough, Potter County, and funding will pay for a feasibility study to address issues
and potions facing Berger Lake, the centerpiece asset of Galeton Borough that
provides recreation, water and tourism activities. The estimated cost is $230,000 and
the ARC request is for $115,000.
• Lewis Run Borough Main Street Project - The project is located in Lewis Run
Borough, McKean County, and would add 1,800 feet of access road serving an
industrial area committed to a 20,000 square foot business expansion, 28 new jobs,
and $10 million in private investment within three years. The ARC request is for
$690,023 in 100% access road program funding.
• North Central Partnership for Regional Economic Performance - This project
provides funding for the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and
Development Commission and its regional partners in a six county area that will
improve the business climate of the region. Some of the initiatives include creating
employment opportunities, encouraging capital formation, facilitating access to
technology, accessing new market opportunities, creating new business opportunities
and increasing tourism opportunities. Total estimated cost is $570,000 and the ARC
request is for $285,000.
• Port Allegany Flood Protection: Easement Acquisition and Sponsor Adjustment -The
project is located in Port Allegany Borough, McKean County, and will require 40
easement agreements, moving 33 wooden power/communications poles,
demolishing two buildings, and relocating various municipal utilities for the
construction of a roughly $22 million flood control dam in the community. Total
project cost is estimated at $2,800,000 and the ARC request is for $250,000.
• St. Marys Airport Industrial Park Access Road Improvement - The project is located in
the City of St. Marys, Elk County, and involves the construction of 1,550 feet of road-
way to serve an industrial park and open up 36 acres of undeveloped land. Total
project cost is estimated to be $316,000 and the ARC request is for $250,000.
Other Technical Assistance.
Assistance was provided to several communities inquiring about possible ARC grant
funding for infrastructure projects in the region. Information about funding
requirements, matching funds, project eligibility, and implementation timetables was
provided to these inquiries.
B. Economic Development Administration During the July - December 2016 reporting period three Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) committee meeting was held, follow-up work and
assistance was provided on one possible Economic Development Administration
funding application (Port Allegany Flood Protection: Easement Acquisition and
Sponsor Adjustment), follow-up on the EDA approved Jefferson County Business Park,
implementation of the Five-Year CEDS Plan, and other technical assistance.
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• July 20, 2016 CEDS Meeting The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the status and marketing of the Jefferson
County Business Park, projects seeking fiscal year 2017 Appalachian Regional Commission and other funding, and the CEDS work plan for fiscal year 2016-17. State
Representative Matt Gabler was the guest speaker and his topic was the status of the FY
2016-17 Pennsylvania State Budget, future issues facing the state and community and
economic development programs offered by the state.
• September 21, 2016 CEDS Meeting
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss current economic development projects
under consideration and a presentation by Neil Hoffman, Senior Vice President,
Manager of Commercial Lending, Northwest Savings Bank. Mr. Hoffman discussed
current economic conditions in the region from a banking perspective and an overview
of what to expect in 2017.
• November 4, 2016 CEDS Meeting
At this meeting a discussion was held to review the Five Year CEDS Plan and updating
it in 2017 for submission to EDA in 2018. New CEDS committee membership for a
two-year term beginning in 2017 was also discussed. Douglas Skowron of DJS Ventures was the meeting’s guest speaker. He gave a Power Point presentation on FY
2017 guidelines for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Assessment Grants Program. Project eligibility, eligible applicants, funding amounts
available, matching requirements, application process, and submission deadline were
some of the items Mr. Skowron discussed in his presentation.
• Implementing the Five Year CEDS Plan
During the past six months efforts continued to implement the plan that was approved in
March 2013. Meetings were attended and discussions were held to familiarize local officials with the plan and its purpose. Continued coordination with the Commission’s
Workforce Development Plan also occurred. Further coordination with the Commission’s Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for transportation
continued as an attempt to integrate economic development planning with transportation planning. Efforts will be directed to updating the plan in 2017 for submission to EDA in 2018.
Other Technical Assistance
Additional technical assistance was provided to various inquiries for state and federal
funding programs for municipal economic development projects. Updated US Census
information and other pertinent regional data were provided to individuals, government
institutions, non-profit organizations, and businesses during the period.
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C. Energy During the July - December 2016 reporting period, North Central continued to offer
energy-related services to public and private sector companies, within the scope of
program guidelines and programmatic capabilities.
• Discussed North Central Energy Program at various venues including:
Cameron County Township Association Meeting
Clearfield County Township Association Meeting
Elk County Township Association Meeting
Jefferson County Township Association Meeting
McKean County Township Association Meeting
Various Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) trainings held
throughout the region during this timeframe
• North Central worked with two private companies regarding hydronic systems in
flooring to identify hydronic loops and for purposes necessary to the companies.
Work with these two companies occurred during July 1, through December 31,
2016. Investment by these two companies in setting new equipment and/or
upgrading energy systems totaled approximately $385,000.00.
• In addition, various technical assistance and/or referrals for further information and
clarification was offered to various companies throughout the sectors served by North
Central including private, public and non-profit. Referrals were made to various state
and federal agencies including:
PA Department of Environmental Protection
PA Department of Transportation
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
USDA
US Environmental Protection Agency
US Department of Energy
• Staff also continued follow-up with previous North Central Energy Program users
regarding status of recommendations, etc.
D. MTAP/LTAP
During the July - December 2016 reporting period, various MTAP and LTAP training and
technical assistance activities took place:
MTAP
• North Central continues to offer reimbursement of limited funds to help offset
municipal technology upgrades through this program. During the first six months,
nine inquiries have been received by North Central, with one municipality submitting
required documentation for reimbursement. North Central has continued to promote
this program to eligible applicants at various venues throughout the region.
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LTAP:
Provides local government officials and employee’s technology transfer and technical
assistance opportunities regarding safety and maintenance issues for their local road
programs. Activities this past quarter included:
• North Central continues to partner with the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation, Federal Highways and others for this program to bring local
municipal officials and employees the opportunity to attend training and technology
training opportunities in our region. In addition to the classroom training aspect
offered by LTAP, one-on-one and small group technical assistance is also available
for safety and maintenance related issues. During the first six months of this
program year, North Central has worked with federal, state and our local partners to
offer seven training opportunities. 129 local government officials and employees
registered for the various trainings held throughout the region, with 97 attending the
trainings. Trainings included:
Traffic Safety Development Plans for Local Roads (2 classes)
Conducting Sign Retroreflectivity Inspections (3 classes)
Stormwater Facility Operations
Salt and Snow Management
• As indicated previously, technical assistance is also provided to local governments
requesting information regarding safety and maintenance related issues. Technical
assistance is provided through on-site visitations, via telephone, email and/or
mailings. In addition, LTAP sends out a quarterly review of news and information
about Pennsylvania local roads. During the past six months, local governments in
the North Central region requested technical assistance 13 times with seven being
safety related and six being maintenance related. Eight technical assistance requests
have been closed to date, with five still pending (due to budgetary limitations).
• In addition to the training and technical assistance, North Central staff also provided
average daily traffic (ADTs) counts for five local roads at the request of township
officials.
• North Central continued promoting the LTAP programs and benefits throughout the
region at previously noted township association meetings, onsite trainings and other
venues.
E. Transportation
During the July - December 2016 reporting period, primary activities for the
Transportation Program involved working with PennDOT and the Rural Planning
Organization’s Transportation Committee regarding the FY 2015 and 17
Transportation Improvement Program and Long Range Transportation Plan.
• Participated on numerous PennDOT Work Group activities
• Continued outreach to PennDOT District and project sponsors on the Knox Kane
TAP project. Numerous phone and conference calls between project sponsor,
PennDOT staff and FHWA
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• Reviewed 119 epermitting requests during the past six months
• Functional classification meetings with Centre County and SEDA-COG
• Attended ATA and DuFAST Public Transit Board Meetings
• Participated in Route 6 Statewide Bicycle Pedestrian Corridor Plan
• Continued working with Brookville Equipment and Jefferson County Department of
Development as well as Brockway Borough on DCED Multimodal Funding
Application
• Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; reviewed new grant application
and met with Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) on possible partnership
opportunities
• Continued development of Draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
• Met and conducted an LRTP Agency Coordination Meetings (ACM) Presentation
• Continued refinement of LRTP Draft Open Data Portal website. Open data
coordination call with consulting team and correspondence for maps & app
development
• Participated in numerous TIS and E&E Project Scoping field views throughout the
region
• Attended the US 119 Improvement Committee meeting
• Attended 2016 PA Safety Symposium
F. GIS During the July - December 2016 reporting period, various work activities that took
place for the GIS program involved the following:
• Continued GIS support for McKean and Cameron County (Asset Management)
• Local Asset Data Coordination for Port Allegany and Bradford Township in McKean
County
• Met with McKean County, Mt. Jewett, Bradford Township, Kane and Foster
Township to continue standardized online zoning and land use mapping
• Reviewed Ridgway Township, Elk County Municipal Property Mapping with Tax
Parcel lines for internal land utilization planning
• McKean County Planning Website Application development for tax parcel base for
Land Use
• Participated in Northwest PA GIS Conference in Clarion
• Participated and supported GIS Day at University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB)
G. Community Development/Regional Planning During the July - December 2016 reporting period, various activities took place in regard
to community outreach and engagement in a range of regional planning, tourism and
municipal assistance:
• Continued regional discussion regarding integrating regional Land Use,
Transportation and Economic Development strategies and project prioritization into
regional planning processes
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• Continued Implementation of the North Central Greenways Mini-Grant Program,
including maintenance of Greenway website
• Attended meetings and held discussions with various stakeholders regarding potential
Greenway projects, to include project closeout field views
• Continued coordination with Headwaters RC & D staff regarding proposal to develop
the Knox and Kane Railroad. Numerous follow up telephone conversations on possible
future grant applications through Multi-modal Fund, TAP and DCED/ARC
• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) webinars
• Continued Assistance with Elk County Recycling Center
• Met with the City of St Marys, Brockway Borough, Lewis Run and Sandy Township
regarding ARC Access Roads and Community Development planning
• Attended Bradford for Tourism and Recreation conference
• Attended PA Wilds Share the Trail Summit
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ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
The mission of the North Central Enterprise Development Program is to foster economic
vitality of the six-county area through a comprehensive regional economic development
strategy – a strategy that focuses upon needs and potential opportunities that will result in
improving the existing economic base and creating opportunities for new growth to enhance the
overall quality of life in the region.
To achieve this mission, a private sector-oriented program was developed to provide the
opportunities for growth by way of direct assistance in increasing market share, low-interest
loans, access to space, and access to technologies.
ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENT GOALS
Promote the resources and assistance available to encourage and sustain economic
growth
Meet and exceed specific program compliance goals as identified in the various program
contracts
Collaborate and coordinate program activities with local and regional economic
development entities
Identify and pursue opportunities that will expand and/or enhance current programs to
benefit growth
Respond to private sector needs that encourage the creation or retention of family-
sustaining jobs
Disseminate information, provide training/education information and promote seminars
to keep industry sectors current on relative data
Provide a desirable work environment and promote employee excellence to address the
goals and objectives of the Regional Action Strategy and Strategic Plan
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PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES
Loan Assistance Program – Provide access to low-interest loans and packaging loan
assistance to address capitalization requirements.
Export Program – Provide assistance to companies that are new to exporting and new
to export markets and access to overseas markets to expand customer base of
existing businesses within the region.
Procurement Program – Provide assistance to companies to capitalize on
opportunities to sell goods and services to the Department of Defense, Federal and
State governments.
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD
Loan/Finance Assistance – Supports economic growth by providing low-interest financing to
small businesses in the six-county region that will result in the creation or retention of jobs.
As an economic development lender, our loan programs are not intended to compete with
banks or replace conventional financing, but are designed to leverage private financing and fill
the gap when bank financing and equity are not able to completely finance a business project.
• Loan portfolio includes 197 active loans representing $21,034,277.91 in financing
from all loan funds as of December 31
7 loans closed
10 loans satisfied
• Loan Application Approvals:
Graham’s Greenhouse & Landscaping, LLC, Bradford, McKean County -
$77,000 IRP
Label.Com, Inc., Bradford, McKean County - $125,000 ARC/EDA
Hominy Ridge Lodge & Cabins, Cooksburg, Jefferson County - $20,000 IRP
Microloan
NetShape Technologies Falls Creek, Inc., Falls Creek, Jefferson County -
$380,000 ARC/EDA/IRP
• 15 site visits conducted with existing borrowers
• 10 pre-application interviews conducted with potential borrowers
• “At Risk” Business Program:
Technical assistance provided to two participating businesses in Elk County
• Legal Actions:
Continue to monitor foreclosure action on a defaulted loan in Potter County
Proof of claim filed with U.S. Bankruptcy Court on a defaulted loan in
Clearfield County that has filed for Chapter 11 Reorganization
Initiated legal action on a defaulted loan in Elk County
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• Staff Training/Professional Development:
Kristi Wendel attended Credit Analysis training in Philadelphia, from August 22
- 26 through the National Development Council. This is the second of four
courses to earn certification as an economic development finance professional as
a requirement to maintain certified provider status to administer state loan
programs.
Jennifer Hibbard and Kristi Wendel attended the Pennsylvania Economic
Development Association Fall Conference in Pocono Manor from October 31 -
November 2.
Jennifer and Kristi participated in an informational webinar on the proposed
regulatory changes to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program on November 15.
Jennifer, Kristi and Katie Geci, Loan Accounting staff, participated in Portfol
loan servicing/accounting software training from November 16-17. The training
was provided on-site by a representative from Portfol as part of the transition to
merge loan accounting with loan servicing into one system.
Jennifer and Kristi attended “Collection Law from Start to Finish” provided by
the National Business Institute in Philadelphia on December 19.
• Meetings/Outreach:
Attended Bringing the World to PA/Pennsylvania International Week held at the
Red Fern in Kersey on September 16. Jennifer Hibbard, Loan Program Director, provided a presentation on North
Central’s Business Financing Program at the Resources for Small Businesses
co-hosted by the Clarion Small Business Development Center and the
Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce held at the IUP Campus in
Punxsutawney on September 20. Attended a meeting of the State’s seven Local Development Districts’ Loan
Program Directors in State College on September 23. Attended the Jefferson County Development Council Annual Luncheon in Falls
Creek on October 14. Staff participated in PREP sponsored Seminars: Classification Under the US
Harmonized Tariff and Schedule B and Using Free Trade Agreements to Your
Advantage held at the Red Fern in Kersey on October 20. Michael Richards, Area Specialist from the Meadville Office of the USDA
Rural Development, conducted an annual site visit with staff on December 1. Attended the Clearly Ahead Annual Meeting in Clearfield on December 15.
• Other:
A total of $456,000 has been received to date on a per project basis of the new
$750,000 USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)
contract. The balance of $294,000 is available for future project loans with two
years remaining to request funds.
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A request has been submitted to the USDA by the Glendale Industrial
Development Authority to transfer a $99,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant
(RBEG) used as a revolving loan fund to North Central. Pending completion
of the transfer, North Central will use the RBEG to expand the lending capacity
within the Microloan Program to businesses located in the six-county region.
Loans Closed from July 1 through December 31, 2016:
Pending Loan Commitments at December 31, 2016:
Borrower/Location
North
Central
Financing Fund
Private
Funds
Leveraged
Public
Funds
Leveraged
Jobs
Created/
Retained
Cutting Edge Machining
Solutions, Inc., Drifting,
Clearfield County $ 65,000 ARC $79,000 $65,000 5/26
Stanton Dynamics, Inc.,
Brookville, Jefferson County $150,000 IRP $50,000 - 0/15
Hominy Ridge Lodge &
Cabins, Cooksburg,
Jefferson County
$ 20,000
IRP
Micro-
loan
- - 0/2
Graham’s Greenhouse &
Landscaping, LLC,
Bradford, McKean County
$ 77,000 IRP $148,000 $154,000 5/10
Label.Com, Inc., Bradford,
McKean County
$100,000
$ 25,000
ARC
EDA $25,000 $100,000 0/8
Preen Pets Corporation,
Eldred, McKean County $150,000 IRP $341,000 $25,000 8/0
Total $587,000 $643,000 $344,000 18/61
Borrower/Location
North
Central
Financing Fund
Private
Funds
Leveraged
Public
Funds
Leveraged
Jobs
Created/
Retained
NetShape Technologies
Falls Creek, Inc., Falls
Creek, Jefferson County
$100,000
$100,000
$180,000
ARC
EDA
IRP
$286,800 $100,000 15/169
Total $380,000 $286,800 $100,000 15/169
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Export Marketing Program – Provides value-added assistance to North Central clients who
are interested or engaged in international trade. Reflective of the strategic goals established by
North Central, the major objective of the Export Marketing Assistance Program is to assist in
job and business creation through an economic development defined program that promotes
diversification and advancement in regional growth at the international level.
• Active export companies for this reporting period – 88, five of which are new to the
program.
• Work Orders for this reporting period totaled 118. Work Orders capture the counseling
assistance that includes the services of the 15 Overseas Offices located in: Australia,
Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and the United
Kingdom, Each request to an overseas office is tracked separately so a company may
have multiple work orders.
• Export Actions were tracked at 63. Export Actions are defined as counseling
successes: traveling to market, participation in overseas trade shows or missions,
meeting with prospective customers overseas and signing an agent or distributor.
Export Actions for this reporting included: Trade Show participation (46), trade
mission (1), company meeting with a PA Overseas Office Representative in-county
(2), signing of a distributor agreement (1) and company meeting with potential
partners (13).
• Conducted 219 counseling sessions including new client outreach regarding export
assistance services, Export Compliance and Audit Procedures, export documentation,
Incoterms for shipping, export finance, follow-up of work orders/market research
reports, trade show participation and international travel assistance.
• Export Staff attended Ag. Progress Days which was held on August 17 in
Pennsylvania Furnace outside of State College, PA. Participation was in support of the
Allegheny Hardwoods Association (AHUG) and the Hardwoods Development Council
(HDC). The itinerary for the day included a meeting with Fred Strathemeyer, Deputy
Secretary of PA Agriculture, support of the HDC Wood Mobile presentation and
participation in the Legislative Luncheon.
• The Export Program coordinated with the Clarion SBDC, the Northwest Commission and
the US Department of Commerce Pittsburgh for an Intro to Exporting Workshop that was
held on Thursday, August 25, in Clarion, PA. Seventeen individuals representing 11
companies participated in the half-day event.
• North Central Export was part of a Business Resource Presentation organized by the
Clarion SBDC and co-hosted by the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce. Targeting
Jefferson County businesses, the half-day event, Regional Resources For Small Businesses,
was scheduled for the morning of September 20, at IUP Punxsutawney Campus. In
addition to North Central Enterprise Development and Workforce Staff, the PREP Partners
of Clarion SBDC, Jefferson County Development Council and the Northwest IRC
presented. Four current or potential Export Clients participated in this event.
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• On Friday, September 16, 2016, North Central, in conjunction with the Office of
International Business Development, hosted representatives from the Commonwealth’s
Overseas Trade Network. Individuals representing 14 of the 15 trade offices were in the
region to meet with companies interested in or currently working within the international
arena. The event was held at the Red Fern Banquet and Conference Center in Kersey.
Overseas Offices represented included: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, India,
Singapore/Indonesia/Philippines, Eastern Mediterranean, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi
Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Fifty-nine individuals participated
in the event to include 21 representatives from 20 companies. PREP Partners assisted in
hosting the companies and included: Clearfield EDC, Clarion SBDC, Northwest IRC, North
Central Workforce Development, Procurement, WEDnet, and Loan Programs, and the
Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce. North Central IT provided assistance to the Offices
regarding accessing and navigating the encryption challenges of traveling internationally
with electronic devices.
• Make It In America Investment activities continued to support the processing and follow-up
of leads developed under Core PA Global and included the support of Clearly Ahead in
hosting Mr. Jeffrey Haworth, Executive Director of the Department of Mines and Petroleum
from the Government of Western Australia, on October 5, 2016. Mr. Haworth spent the day
in Clearfield County learning about best practices relating to unconventional shale gas
development and investment opportunities within Clearfield County. Mr. Haworth’s travel
to Pennsylvania was a direct result of the Core PA Presentation at the Australasian Oil and
Gas Show that was held in February 2016 and organized by the North Central, Northern
Tier and Northeastern LDDs in cooperation with ATR Australia.
• Export staff attended the Jefferson County Development Council Annual Luncheon on
October 14.
• Twenty-six individuals representing 12 companies participated in the PREP sponsored
Seminars: Classification Under the US Harmonized Tariff and Schedule B and Using Free
Trade Agreements to Your Advantage which was held on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
• North Central Export is assisting the Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group (AHUG) and
the Northern Tier Hardwood Association in organizing exhibition space at INTERZUM
scheduled for May of 2017 in Cologne, Germany. The Hardwoods Development Council
(HDC) has been identified as the funding source for this event, North Central and Northern
Tier; the LDDs associated with the aforementioned HUGs participated in INTERZUM 2013
and have offered to assist in the organization of the show and marketing activities.
• The Export Program joined the Enterprise Development Department staff in representing
North Central at the Clearly Ahead Annual Luncheon on December 15, 2016.
Procurement Technical Assistance Program – The Procurement Technical Assistance
Center’s mission is to maximize the number of capable companies participating in the
government marketplace by determining contracting readiness and assisting business become
contract ready. Services offered by the PTAC include: one-on-one counseling, free bid-match
services, assistance with registrations and socio-economic certifications, solicitation/proposal
and documentation reviews; provision of military specifications and standards, and the offering
of training/workshops.
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Procurement Program operates on calendar year – January through December 2016. Below is
our third and fourth (July through December) report:
• Professional development training:
Donna attended 29.5 hours of professional development training including:
August 3: Understanding Small Business Subcontracting Plans; SBA webinar
with Stephanie Lewis
August 11: Great Layout & Design: Tips, Tricks and the Latest Trends webinar;
Fred Pryor Seminars
September 1: Becoming a Premier Subcontractor; Thompson Information
Services; Aronson LLC webinar
October 13: Decoding Budgeted Indirect Rates; Thompson Information
Services; Aronson LLC webinar
October 19: DBE Goal Setting; Federal Transit Administration webinar
October 20: CLC 132 Organizational Conflict of Interest; Defense Acquisition
University (DAU)
November 1: How to do Business with LetterKenny/Tobyhanna Army Depots;
Industry Day; Mechanicsburg
November 2: Empowered Market Research through FPDS and DSBS; SBA
webinar
November 7-9: APTAC Fall Conference; various sessions; Washington, DC
Eighteen new clients added:
2 clients – July
3 clients – August
2 clients – September
4 clients – October
2 clients – November
5 clients – December
Working with 59 active clients
Provided 84:33 hours of counseling services to 53 businesses / 223 sessions
Counseling Highlights
CVE Certification
Capabilities Statements
SAM Expiration updates
Costars
DBE certification
Sponsored 10 training events
July 12: NAICS: The Code of the Road; webinar co-sponsored with JARI PTAC
and the SBA Pittsburgh District Office; 52 attendees
August 9: Break for 15: Accelerate Your Business – SAM: All Systems Go; eChat
series with JARI PTAC and the SBA Pittsburgh District Office; 25 attendees
September 13: SAM: All Systems Go; webinar co-sponsored with JARI PTAC
and the SBA Pittsburgh District Office; 47 attendees
20
September 14: 3rd Annual COSTARS Connection: Training and Networking event;
co-sponsored by the Northwest PA and Southern Alleghenies PTACs and the
Clarion Small Business Development Center; 44 attendees
September 20: Regional Resources for Small Businesses – Jefferson County;
review of programs and services through North Central PA Regional Planning and
Development Commission; 21 attendees
October 12: Doing Business with the US Forest Service; co-sponsored by the
Northwest PA PTAC; 13 attendees
October 13: Elk County Employer Consortium: Everything you do is Marketing;
guest speaker Tim Piccirillo; 12 attendees
October 25: Veterans! Start or Expand Your Business (fall); co-sponsored by the
Northwest PA PTAC and Clarion Small Business Development Center; 8
attendees
November 15: Break for 15: Accelerate Your Business – It’s a Seller’s Market;
guest speaker Gloria Larkin/TargetGov; eChat series with JARI PTAC and the
SBA Pittsburgh District office; 24 attendees
December 13: Marketing Yourself to the Government – It’s a Seller’s Market
webinar co-sponsored with the JARI PTAC and the SBA Pittsburgh District
Office; 55 attendees
• Events Attended
The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) joined the Enterprise
Development Department staff in representing North Central at the Clearly
Ahead Annual Luncheon on December 15, 2016.
• Upcoming Events
January 10: Break for 15: Accelerate Your Business: Understanding the FAR
eChat with JARI PTAC and the SBA Pittsburgh District office
January 24: Marketing Yourself to the Government – It’s a Seller’s Market
webinar co-sponsored with the JARI PTAC and the SBA Pittsburgh District
Office
February 14: Understanding the FAR webinar, cos-sponsored with the
Northwest PA PTAC
February 22: Wide Area Workflow with Tobyhanna Army Depot – sponsored
by Southern Alleghenies PTAC
March 14: Break for 15: Accelerate Your Business: Bonding eChat with JARI
PTAC and the Small Business Administration/Pittsburgh District Office
• Awards
Contract awards by federal agencies – 61 awards totaling $1,222,076.16
Contract awards by state and local governments – 4 awards totaling $208,587.71
Subcontract awards – 34 awards totaling $216,192.87
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HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
To provide quality services, and support in employment, training, employee relations,
benefits, compensation and safety. Create and maintain a foundation which will enable North
Central to promote the development, the involvement, and the retention of its employees to
ensure customer satisfaction.
ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENT GOAL
Make quality a part of the way we work
Improve efficiency and effectiveness and employ technology and methods which
enhance service, communications and productivity
Help make North Central a great place to work - professionally and personally
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD
• All General Appraisals have been completed for North Central’s Performance Plan for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.
• We hired six temporary part-time “Summer Youth Leaders” for the six county region.
They worked for approximately eight weeks through Workforce Development.
• Baker Tilly completed the audit for North Central’s Retirement Plan for the calendar
year 2015. An Application for Extension, Form 5558, was filed with the IRS on July
27, 2016.
• Our Dental Insurance was renewed on September 1, 2016. After going out for quotes, we decided to stay with Highmark Blue Edge Dental who has given us a rate hold for
the upcoming year. Two other carriers declined to quote because they could not offer
competitive rates.
• Harry Price retired on August 12, 2016, from our Workforce Department. He worked
in the Clearfield CareerLink as an Adult Employability Counselor for more than 23
years.
• North Central reviewed all employee Position Profiles against the criteria required
under the Fair Labor Standards Act and reclassified any employee that was determined to be covered under the protections of FLSA. Letters to each reclassified
employee were sent out on August 1, 2016.
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• Performance Planning began in August for FY- 2017. Supervisors met with their
employees to review their Position Profiles and draft their SMART goals for the year.
• The audit on North Central’s retirement plan has been finalized. The Form 5500 was
submitted to the DOL on October 13, 2016.
• We furloughed two employees due to lack of funding effective November 30, 2016.
Jim Stockdale worked for the Workforce Development Board for 32 years as Director
of Monitoring and Quality Assurance and Barb Wells worked for the Workforce
Development Board as the Executive Secretary for 24 years. We appreciate the work
that they performed and wish them both the best.
• North Central is soliciting Requests for Proposals for auditing services on our 403b
Defined Contribution Plan. The RFP for auditing services may be obtained from North
Central on or after Friday, December 2, 2016, by written, e-mail, or fax request.
23
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
The Information Systems Department serves three major functions at North Central; Internet
Service Provider, Information Technology (IT) development, and IT support. Each function is
essential in enabling North Central to provide services to our six county region. Our goal is
to maintain and enhance our current technology infrastructure, equipment, and software while
continuing to develop improved processes for North Central staff and clients.
ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENT GOALS
• Provide Help Desk, networking, and training support for North Central staff
• Maintain and support Internet service
• Develop and maintain North Central software and data files
• Maintain and enhance Wireless Wide Area Network
• Provide Telecommunication and Media support
• Provide technology and telecommunication infrastructure support to outside entities
• Provide videoconferencing capacity for all North Central departments
PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES
• GIS Deliverables – Map Books and Municipal Maps are complete for Cameron and
McKean Counties.
• Security and Disaster backups; continue to add new files and monitor daily for
successful completion.
• Replaced lightning damaged radios in Centre County.
• Received training on new Accounting Software.
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD
• Installed UniFi wireless equipment and Mikrotik routers in the DuBois and Elk County
CareerLinks. This configuration will allow North Central IT staff to remotely manage,
troubleshoot and upgrade all PCs at these sites. This will eliminate the many support
trips needed each year.
• Installed a WiFi System and security camera for the PA Game Commission at the new
Elk Viewing site at Winslow Hill in Benezette.
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• The conversion to cloud-based videoconferencing is now complete. This was done to
eliminate the cost of purchasing and maintaining hardware.
• Installed UniFi wireless equipment and Mikrotik routers in the McKean County
CareerLink. This configuration will allow North Central IT staff to remotely manage,
troubleshoot and upgrade all PCs at this site. This will eliminate the many support
trips needed each year.
• Made substantial changes to our time reporting system per FLSA standards.
• Set up email encryption technology for WIC program. All “ncentral.com” users will
now have that ability.
• Procure and install a wildcard SSL Security Certificate that will allow for secure
access to GIS domains. The wildcard feature allows all sub-domains of ncentral.com
the ability to utilize SSL.
• As part of the partnership with the PA Game Commission, North Central installed the
Elk Camera at the Dents Run Viewing Area again this season.
• The internet link at the St. Marys CareerLink office is back on Zito Media. The
video-conferencing unit has been isolated and uses the North Central link. This
scenario has eliminated the intermittent outages during online training sessions.
• The Elk Camera at the Dents Run Viewing Area has been shut down for the year.
Feedback from the PA Game Commission states it was another successful season.
• Another camera was installed at the Winslow Hill viewing area for the PA Game
Commission. This camera was used for security and monitoring activity at the parking
area.
• Two security cameras were installed at the main entrance to North Central.
• Added Magnum Broadcasting in Wallaceton, PA, to our Wireless Wide-Area-
Network.
• Assisted the Workforce Development Board staff in their relocation. All their files,
emails, and backups were transitioned to their PCs. On-site support was provided to
set up all PCs, printers, etc.
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
VISION STATMENT
The North Central Workforce Development Board will be a strategic workforce development
leader focused on promoting economic prosperity and self-sufficiency of individuals by
creating a workforce that is competitive in the global marketplace.
MISSION STATEMENT
The North Central Workforce Development Board serves as the premier facilitator of an
innovative workforce development system that meets the changing human capital needs of our
employers and provides resources for our job seekers that maximizes their career potential
and focuses on the customers’ needs.
GOALS
• Enhance public-private partnerships through better connectivity and communication in
order to increase investment in our workforce system leading to greater economic
vitality for our region.
• Engage in Sector Strategies of our growth industries identifying current skill gaps of
both the incumbent and entry-level worker that will result in skill upgrades through
customized training and partnerships.
• Design innovative workforce development strategies to reach young adults and keep
them engaged through the identification of best practices and development of new
programs utilizing the Customer Centered Design Method.
• Identify Career Pathways in major industry sectors to enhance career counselling that
will result in training opportunities for our customers through skill, credential and
degree attainment.
• Ensure that our customers, both employers and job seekers, remain in the center of our
design of all services and encourage our partners to do the same.
PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES
• At the Workforce Development Board meeting on June 29, Board members continued
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their strategic planning by establishing action steps for two of their goals approved
earlier this year. Using the Customer Centered Design process, members broke
into groups and brainstormed ideas on how the board will succeed in our new
vision, mission, and goals (please see the quarterly report). Following a brief
brainstorming session, board members were challenged to prototype an
idea. Members enjoyed the experience and commented that it was a fun, creative
way to brainstorm solutions.
• The Workforce Development Board (WDB) and Chief Elected Officials (CEO),
based on a mandate by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry,
formed a separate non-profit entity, Workforce Solutions for North Central
Pennsylvania. This new entity will be responsible for all activities of the WDB
and CEO and will include procurement of services for the PA CareerLink®
Operator, Title I Youth, Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker and EARN. The
collaboration and partnership established with North Central will continue.
• Joe, Susie and Pam assisted with and attended the 3rd Annual Appalachian Higher
Education Network Conference in Kingsport, Tennessee. Education, workforce
and economic development agencies from throughout the Appalachian states
gathered to discuss how to increase Postsecondary Attainment in Appalachia using
the 4 Pillars of Success – Family, Community, Institutions and Self. Susie and
Pam facilitated a workshop at the conference entitled introducing those in
attendance to the Customer Centered Design Process.
• At the request of CareerLink Site Administrators, Linda facilitated a meeting with
the Site Administrators and the Operator to discuss plans for the implementation of
a customer centered welcome and referral process in our PA CareerLink® Centers.
• Joe and Amy assisted with implementation of the summer youth work experience
program.
• Staff prepared for and completed our BWDA’s (Bureau of Workforce
Development Administration) review of our fiscal, procurement, and monitoring
procedures for program year 2015. Our State Monitor, Jennifer Reams, spent the
week of June 27 in our office completing this review. Many thanks to everyone
involved for a great review. Ms. Reams will be scheduling an exit review within
the next two weeks.
• Workforce Development Board staff are currently working with area schools,
employers and other partners including several PREP partners to implement a
Dream It Do It (DIDI) PA Initiative in our region. DIDI is a partnership directed
by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) in Allentown, PA, and is dedicated
to changing perceptions and attitudes in the Keystone State about advanced
manufacturing careers. A video contest is being implemented with area 7th and 8th
graders and Manufacturing companies from throughout the region and will end
with an awards ceremony in March 2017.
• Linda continues to work with the LMC to research and gather ideas for the best use
of EARN performance funds to address the transportation barriers many EARN
customers are facing, in addition to other options that will better help our
Customers find gainful employment
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• Staff continues to work with our partners in our Community Based, Sector Initiative,
and Strategic Innovation Grants. We were fortunate over this past year to be awarded
part of these competitive grants and look forward to the opportunities to better serve
our customers.
• Our Career Counselors, Amy and Joe, are busy working with our school districts in
Clearfield and Jefferson Counties. They are setting up their schedules to meet with
students to assist them in their career planning. Joe attended a Job Fair at DBC
Philipsburg and also taught Career Exploration at Mrs. Buell’s classes on September
20. Amy participated in the Post-Secondary Options Fair at the DuBois High School
on September 22. She is also assisting Jeff-Tech with recruiting businesses for
Co-Ops. The Dream It Do It Project is still underway and everyone is busy working
with the schools and employers who have volunteered for this exciting project.
• Pam participated in the second round of the USDOL’s Customer Centered Design
Challenge. The North Central PA Collaborating for Second Chances Team was
chosen to participate in the Learning Exchange at the White House. Prior to the event
team members Pam Streich, Teresa Wilcox, Vanessa Castano and Amber Frontino
met with President Judge Pavlock to discuss implementation of the designed program
in McKean County.
• In preparation for the transition of the Workforce Development Board to a non-profit
entity, Susie, Pam and Linda attended the PANO Conference in State College. This
organization is a wonderful resource for non-profits. Staff participated in workshops
and plenary sessions that will better prepare them for operating a new non-profit.
• Linda facilitated a TRADE Master Agreement between the state of Pennsylvania and
an Ohio based training provider in order to provide Lean Six Sigma training to a St.
Marys resident recently laid off from Graf Tech.
• Susie participated in a Board Retreat for the Rural Regional College. Much activity is
underway with a search team secured to find the best president to lead this effort. The
plan is due to the Department of Education by the end of the year.
• Susie participated in a press conference with Congressman Thompson highlighting the
“Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.” This bill
reauthorizes the Carl Perkins Act and is extremely complimentary to the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act and will present much more opportunity for
collaboration with our Career and Tech Schools. Since the press conference, this bill
has been passed by the House.
• Secretary of Labor and Industry, Kathy Manderino, visited our region and toured
Zippo Manufacturing. Linda helped coordinate the information session and tour.
Both Linda and Susie joined the tour and enjoyed hearing about the rich history of the
company and their commitment to Bradford. The Secretary continues to visit
manufacturers in Pennsylvania supporting the Governor’s Jobs that Pay initiative.
• Susie, Pam and Linda attended the Pennsylvania Workforce Development
Association’s “Workforce Development Board Symposium” in State College on
October 3 – 5. This policy level symposium provided opportunity for us to learn from
the inter-agency team and their plans for implementation of the State Plan; to hear
from the USDOL Regional Office about expectations of the system and the final regultions; to participate in learning exchanges with other boards and to hear from
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Governor Wolf his vision for workforce development in Pennsylvania. Susie and
Linda also participated in the Operator Procurement Training on October 6 in State
College. The board will have to procure for the operator after the first of the year.
• The Workforce Development Board held their quarterly meeting on October 11.
Agenda items included an update on the transition of the WDB to a separate non-profit
entity, an update on budgets and approval of the Title I budget, as well as updated
policies.
• Amy attended and presented at the DuBois Area High School Post-Secondary Options
Fair Thursday, September 22. Amy also assisted Miller Welding & Machine
Company and Jeff Tech on a successful Manufacturing Day on October 7. Jeff Tech’s
Machine and Welding Shops toured both of the Brookville locations.
• The NCWDB applied form, and was awarded, $400,000 for the Manufacturing and
Healthcare Industry Partnerships ($200,000 each). Staff will be working with our
employers over the next couple of months to set up the training that was identified in
the application.
• Joe assisted in coordinating and helping with the Career Fair at the Clearfield
CareerLink. He also attended Manufacturing Day at Penn State DuBois University.
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
The Workforce Development department is focused on four areas of quality service: 1) All
customers will receive a needs assessment to determine the appropriate mix of services, 2) Job
seekers and Employers will be provided with workshop opportunities to address training or
information needs, 3) Job seekers will be provided financial aid to address technical
training needs driven by employer demands and market needs, 4) All customers will have
access to job placement services.
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD www.ncentral.com/workforce
• Strategic Innovation Grant-Careers That Work: Summer Work Experience component - Summer Youth, June 6 – August 19, 2016, 76 customers, 9,942.75
hours, $86,999.06, and Friday classes offered through the North Central Workforce
Development Operations staff at each PA CareerLink® site: Orientation, Career
Exploration, Job Gateway, Interviewing Skills, Financial Literacy, Job Applications,
and Portfolios.
• Overall Work Experience opportunities: 79 customers, (55 WIOA eligible), utilizing
46 worksites: 10,978.25 hours, $96,059.69
• McKean County CJAB “Barn” Project: North Central Workforce Development staff
located out of the PA CareerLink® Bradford conduct orientation and assessment services at the “Barn” in Smethport, in collaboration with the McKean County
Probation Department. Additional Job Ready workshops and Job Development
services are conducted at the PA CareerLink® for all referrals. • Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant award: North Central Workforce
Development Operations will received $65,000 to support the Skill Gap Work Experience project to provide work experience and job placement to youth with barriers
to employment. The goals are to have 6-10 projects throughout the six counties and
serve 100 youth. Funding will be leverage with WIOA youth funds and cooperation
with the McKean County Human Services Independent Living program to start the
project. • Rapid Response (Dislocated Worker) fund request: North Central Workforce
Development Operations has formally requested $300,000 in Rapid Response training
dollars to provide staff support, Occupational training and On-the-Job training to
dislocated workers in the six counties. At this time over 580 individuals have been
30
identified as recent layoffs over the past six months. Funds have been awarded and
services are being provided.
• Program Development and Regional Coordination
FIT 4 Health Care initiative meetings
PWDA Board and Committee meetings
Regional staff meetings
Local Management Committee meetings/Welfare service programs
CareerLink Operator meetings
Performance reviews
PREP Meetings
Peer to Peer Job Driven National Emergency Grant conference calls
Commissioners/WDB transition meeting
County-wide CJAB/County Probation coordination meetings
WDB/Sector grant award meeting
Elk County Direct Service team meeting
WDB/Workforce Operations meetings
• www.ncentral.com/workforce provides success stories of the youth, adults and
dislocated worker receiving training services.
WIOA Adult and Dislocated Workers Enrollment Report
* 26 are TAA (Trade funded)
WIOA Youth and Young Adults: Youth numbers, part of Youth Standing Committee Report:
North Central Workforce Development Report: July ‘16 - November ‘16
• Youth Program reports: may be reviewed at www.ncentral.com/workforce; under
Program & Initiatives; Youth Development System.
PA CareerLink®
Office:
WIOA Career Services Training Services (ITA/OJT)
Workforce
Development
Adult Dislocated
Worker
Adult Dislocated
Worker
Cameron 1 9 2 5
Clearfield 23 98 6 18
DuBois 17 64 0 17
Elk 21 78 1 29*
McKean 32 34 2
Jefferson 6 21 2 11
Potter 4 21 1 1
TOTAL 104 325 12 83
Carryovers 95 135
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WIC PROGRAM
NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REGIONAL
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
July - December 2016
MISSION/PROGRAM CHARGE
To safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at
nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating
and referrals to health care.
ORGANIZATIONAL/DEPARTMENT GOAL
Increase participant breastfeeding incidence rates and breastfeeding duration rates
Advance WIC’s mission as the premier maternal and child nutrition education
program within our communities
Increase staff expertise in the fields of maternal/child feeding, breastfeeding, and
human relations
• Increase WIC enrollment by providing outreach services to those target areas where
potential clients reside/frequent
PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES
• Breastfeeding Promotion and Support is an essential component of our Nutrition
Education Service Model. WIC Program Competent Professional Authorities
(dietitians, registered nurses, nutritionists, and other staff approved by the State WIC
Agency to serve in this role) and nutrition aides are qualified to provide breastfeeding
promotion and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. North Central monthly
enrollment includes an average of 200 breastfeeding women and 340 pregnant women.
Breastfeeding statistics are released bi-annually (November/May). The November
report shows that a higher number of women enrolled in the North Central WIC
program breastfeed longer when compared to the Pennsylvania State WIC Agency
statistics. 62.43% of North Central WIC participants initiated breastfeeding during
this reporting period. The breastfeeding duration among North Central participants
increased from 17 weeks to 17.29 weeks. The state agency duration rate remained
unchanged at 15 weeks. The State WIC Agency breastfeeding incidence increased
from 62.43% to 63.76%.
• The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program provides additional support that is crucial
to help breastfeeding mothers overcome breastfeeding problems and barriers. Peer C
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staff members accept client phone calls/text messages/emails outside of the regularly
scheduled work day. During this time frame, the Peer Counselors provided
breastfeeding promotion and support to enrolled participants 1,115 times. Contacts
consist of face to face conversations occurring in the clinic setting, email contacts,
phone discussions, and text messaging.
• WIC Program staff participated in the following Outreach events this reporting period:
7/14/16 WIC staff visited several partnering organizations in Jefferson county to
provide information on WIC Program eligibility and services
7/19/16 Clearfield WIC staff welcomed a dietetic intern to observe and learn
about services offered through the Pennsylvania WIC Program
8/13/16 Mary DeLucia attended the Potter County Family Fun Fair
9/9 – 9/22/16 Bonnie Kelly, Retail Store Coordinator, conducted her annual
store trainings. Trainings were held in the following communities: DuBois,
Coudersport, Ridgway, and Clearfield
9/22/16 Bonnie Kelly traveled to Potter County to complete a retail store
re-authorization
10/4/16 The WIC Director participated in the National WIC Association
webinar related to a new outreach project that will begin in the near future (Dec.
2016 - Jan. 2017) and will run for the next three years
WIC Staff participated in the October Cameron County Collaborative Board
meeting
10/21/16 Bonnie Kelly provided mandatory vendor training to a local store
10/26/16 Mary Thorwart attended the Early Learning Team meeting held at the
St. Marys Library
10/27/16 Mary Thorwart participated in the Ridgway annual downtown “Trick
or Treat” event
11/3/16 The WIC Director attended a Keystone 10 Regional meeting held in
Coudersport, PA
Becky Brickley, Nutrition Education Coordinator, developed a one page
newsletter to be distributed to local physician offices
12/2/16 Mary Thorwart visited a local physician office to provide information on
services provided and eligibility in the WIC program
• North Central WIC Staff participated in the following trainings:
7/12/16 Voter Registration training provided to the WIC Director – facilitated by
State WIC Agency
7/26/16 “Shooter in the Workplace” training organized by North Central,
facilitated by Bruce Morris from the Pennsylvania State Police
7/26/16 WIC staff participated in a “Blood-borne Pathogens” training. All staff
assigned to conduct hemoglobin testing or station clean-up are required to
complete an annual training on blood-borne pathogens
8/24/16 The WIC Director facilitated a Voter Registration Training for all staff
during a regularly scheduled staff meeting
8/24/16 Becky Brickley, Nutrition Education Coordinator, provided a
presentation on lead poisoning for all program staff
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8/31/16 Julie Kasmierski, WIC Director (also serves as Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Supervisor), attended a regional Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Program Manager training in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. The training
focused on the management of the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and
identified “best practices.”
9/8/16 Julie Kasmierski, Mary Thorwart, and Christi Jarbeck participated in the
State Agency Compliance Buy training. By participating in this annual training,
staff members are permitted to conduct “compliance buys” at assigned vendors
throughout our service area.
9/22/16 Kristie Sorg attended a seminar titled “Managing Emotions Under
Pressure: How to Stay Calm and Productive in any Situation”.
9/29/16 The WIC Director participated in a webinar related to the “Zika virus”
10/25/16 WIC Program staff participated in an interactive Customer Service
Training
10/26/16 Bonnie Kelly attended an I-Pad Training held at the State WIC Agency
in Harrisburg.
• WIC Program staff participated in the following State WIC Agency meetings/
conferences:
The WIC Director participated in the state WIC agency facilitated MIS/EBT
conference call during the months of July, August, September and November
2016.
8/2/16 Amanda Margeson, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, traveled to Camp Hill,
to participate in the 3rd annual “Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Summit”
8/2/16 Mark Beall, Regional Territory Director, visited the WIC Administrative
office in Ridgway to meet program staff and discuss the duties of the Regional
Manager that directly impact North Central WIC
The WIC Director participated in the State WIC Agency Food Package
Committee conference call during the months of August, September and
November.
8/16-8/18/16 The WIC Director attended a scheduled grantee meeting held in
Grantville, PA
The WIC Director participated in a State WIC Agency facilitated General
Administration Committee conference call during the months of September and
November
10/28/16 Julie Kasmierski and Jim Chorney participated in a State WIC Agency
conference call related to some changes in allowable expenditures
11/15 -11/17/16 The WIC Director attended the State WIC Agency grantee
meeting in Camp Hill, PA
KEY ACTIVITIES/OUTCOMES FOR THIS PERIOD
• North Central WIC is proud to accept the “Gold” WIC Loving Support Award of
Excellence for Exemplary Breastfeeding Support and Practices. North Central was one
of two Pennsylvania local WIC agencies to be chosen for this distinguished award.
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• North Central WIC has received notification that our Ridgway WIC Clinic renovation
proposal has been chosen to be funded by the State WIC Agency. The project will not
begin until the official infrastructure grant agreement is in place and funds are
accessible.
• The National WIC Association (NWA) Recruitment and Retention Campaign has been
released. The campaign’s guiding goals are to increase recruitment, increase retention,
and improve perception of the WIC Program. This multi-year campaign will include
various media releases (digital advertisement, print advertisements, and mailings). The
campaign is set to run through the end of 2018.
• An average of 3,641 clients received WIC benefits each month between July and
December 2016.