Loading...
01/26/1998 NORTH GREENWOOD COMMUNITY TASK TEAM CITY OF CLEARWATER January 26, 1998 Present: Reverend William Graham Chair Mayme Hodges Team Member Mary Samuel Team Member Kathy S. Rice Deputy City Manager Alan J. Ferri Housing & Urban Development Director Michael Holmes Assistant Housing & Urban Development Director Debora Merlina Community Center Supervisor Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: MacArthur Boykins Team Member Dennis Golden Team Member Samuel Collie Team Member Tal Rutledge Team Member Bertha Kelley Team Member Joe Marshall Team Member David Grice Team Member Beverly Bryant Team Member Reverend Lucius Pitts, Jr. Team Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Survey Report The City had contracted with Career Options of Pinellas, Inc. to prepare a survey related to employability and economic development of the Clearwater Brownfields Redevelopment Initiative Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area bordered by Belleair Road, Fort Harrison Avenue, Stevenson’s Creek, and Missouri Avenue/Betty Lane. Career Options used survey information to compile an inventory of employment training, placement, vocational counseling, job readiness, employment assessment, job search training, and remedial education services available to residents of the Clearwater Brownfields Redevelopment Initiative Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. Career Options also identified gaps and duplications in services and offered recommendations. In conducting the survey and preparing the report, Career Options held informational community meetings to encourage participation. New initiatives related to job placement and training include Florida WAGES (Work & Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency) program and new Weed and Seed grants. The primary means of data collection was a community survey to identify the types of resources offered, which organizations offered resources, and the youth and adults using resources. The survey was designed to identify major categories of resources related to employability and economic development: 1) employment service/job search assistance; 2) job skills training; 3) other education & training; 4) individual & family support services & counseling; 5) business development/services for self-employment and small business; 6) community facilities; 7) community development, neighborhood organizations; religious, community; civic, & volunteer activities; 8) basic needs and emergency assistance for food, clothing, and shelter; 9) health services; 10) youth development & activities; and 11) information & referral services. Career Options used a variety of outreach strategies to encourage maximum participation. Eighty-nine notices of two community meetings were mailed. Career Options offered telephone and in-person assistance. Staff made follow-up calls to encourage participation. Of 38 surveys returned: 1) 36 - agencies/organizations; 2) 1 - agency representative/interested citizen; and 3) 1 - interested citizen. The survey indicated most resource providers serve more than 200 people annually. The largest organizations serve a geographical area larger than the target area. Most providers use multiple sources of funding. Donald Rutledge, Career Options Program Coordinator, distributed the survey report dated November 26, 1997. He said preparing the report required a team effort. He thanked the North Greenwood Community Task Team for their efforts in identifying neighborhood concerns and developing time lines for accomplishments. Beginning in July 1997, Career Options tapped many sources for this report. Staff was available to help participants and encourage cooperation. Although the survey was designed to identify social services and not customer satisfaction, not every organization participated. Phyllis Burch, Career Options Center Director, reviewed some issues in the report. She noted most responding agencies are not-for-profit or non-profit organizations governed by private boards. More agencies provide job skills training and family support services than business development. More programs are directed toward adults than children. Most providers have at least one location in the target area. She reported SPJC (St. Petersburg Junior College) and PTEC (Pinellas Technical education Center) had indicated with sufficient interest, they would provide instruction at a facility in the target area. Some agencies provide clients with bus tokens. Limited bus service at night is a barrier. Weekend and evening child-care also is largely unavailable. Most reporting agencies do not charge a fee. Ms. Burch referred to the anticipated reduction in funding for federal programs. She noted a theme throughout the survey reflects the need for agencies to coordinate their efforts. She reviewed some recommendations: 1) in cooperation with providers and community organizations, design an integrated Job Bank system for employers and applicants; 2) seek input from employers regarding hiring needs to develop skills training programs; 3) link the Job Bank system with the Florida Department of Labor and Employment, Security Jobs and Benefits Program, and WAGES; 4) coordinate child-care services, transportation, and employability training at “one-stop” center; 5) increase awareness of programs in the designated area; 6) increase co-location of resources; and 7) hold Job Fairs in North and South Greenwood. Deputy City Manager Kathy Rice indicated the Police Department is using information from the report to write grants. She suggested the Task Force forward the report with a cover letter to the St. Petersburg Times, senators, and representatives. Staff has met with the new Pinellas County Economic czar regarding this issue. In response to a question, Mr. Rutledge reported Ervin’s All American Youth Club, Inc., was one of a few key organizations which did not participate in the survey. He said the faith community also had not responded as anticipated. Follow-up telephone calls to these organizations were unproductive. Chair Graham had encouraged members of the Upper Pinellas Ministerial Alliance to complete the survey. Some gaps in the report need to be filled in. Ms. Burch agreed the report would be more comprehensive had more organizations responded. Mr. Rutledge noted when funding dollars are reduced, the importance of cooperation between the organizations will increase. In response to a question, Ms. Burch indicated Florida had moved quickly to institute its welfare to work program and may have to extend the original deadlines. Ms. Rice expressed concern regarding the children of welfare recipients who lose their benefits. It was noted those who have been in the system for a long time will be difficult to serve. The changes are confusing. Mr. Rutledge said technical training is needed to meet the demands of the job market. Medical and customer service jobs also are plentiful. Accessing PTEC is difficult for residents of the subject area. Ms. Burch noted a recommendation in the report had suggested transportation entrepreneurs within the community could meet this need. In response to a question, Housing & Urban Development Director Alan Ferri said the 30% minimum percentage of income residents must pay for housing is mandated by the Federal government. Ms. Rice suggested a workshop with City department directors would be one way to get the word out to the community regarding training options. Concern was expressed it may be difficult to attract enough students to guarantee classes in the community. It was recommended an organizational meeting of area agencies be scheduled. It was noted the State Welfare program is disorganized and causing difficulties for local welfare recipients. A problem with the post office affecting Greenwood Apartments is exacerbating the situation. Concern was expressed regarding the needs of older tenants who find themselves in difficult financial situations as well as single males. In response to a question, Ms. Rice reported the 3rd year of the Weed & Seed program has begun. Most of the grant funding from the program has been spent on the Job Center. The Chair requested 12 copies of the report. Mr. Ferri indicated the City will mail the report with a cover letter submitted by the North Greenwood Community Task Team. Mr. Rutledge said Career Options will supply the City with the addresses of the organizations contacted for this survey. The Task Team was requested to submit suggestions or comments regarding the report. Career Options was thanked for their excellent job. Mr. Rutledge reported Career Options is recruiting for the youth employment program for residents between 15 and 21 years-old. Flyers and posters soon will be distributed. Ms. Rice suggested Americorps volunteers could distribute information to area households. Mr. Burch indicated the only requirement for participation is residency. Career Options would prefer the program focus on the Weed and Seed community. Funding for this program comes from the Weed and Seed grant. It was felt the community should be informed regarding how these grant funds are used. ITEM #6 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.