Employment Advisory Committee Meetings
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
November 2, 2006
1. Call to Order/ Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 1:30p.m. A quorum was present.
Members Present
Commissioner Faye Woo Lee, Commissioner Carlota del Portillo, Molly Baier, Rich Bondoc, Jerry Jones, John Crowley, Patrick Regan, Norma Tecson, John Weber, Ronnie Rhoe, Ken Stram, Adrian Trujillo
Members Absent
None
Staff Present
Linda Chin, Kabir Hypolite, Mary Gin Starkweather
Guests
Joseph P. Norelli, Regional Manager, National Labor Relations Board, Region 20; Darin Ow-Wing, Executive Director, Community Educational Services; Martha Zamora, Aftercare Coordinator, Independent Living Skills Program
2. Adoption of Agenda
Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the September 7, 2006 agenda. Commissioner del Portillo seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.
3. Adoption of October 8, 2006 Minutes
Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the October 5, 2006 minutes. Commissioner del Portillo seconded. Molly noted a correction to be made. The following is to be added under item 8 of the September 7, 2006 minutes: “John Weber expressed concern that the Southeast Center in the Bay View Hunter’s Point Community where unemployment is amongst the highest, and does not have a full service One Stop Center.” Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the amended minutes. Commissioner del Portillo seconded as amended and the motion was carried unanimously.
4. Public Comment for items not on the Agenda
None
5. Commissioner’s Report
Commissioner del Portillo announced that the construction of a new building for the Mission City College Campus is underway and scheduled to be finished in the Fall of 2007. Its features include an Aztec calendar that is 29 feet in diameter, a state of the art library open to the public as well as students, and 5 multi-purpose rooms that will be available at no charge to non-profits. The construction is being done by a fully integrated union workforce.
Commissioner Lee stated that there are plans for a new City College Chinatown Campus.
Neither Commissioner Lee nor Commissioner del Portillo will be at the December 7, 2006 meeting. Jerry Jones will chair that meeting.
6. Staff Report
Kabir Hypolite reported that he had gone to a meeting on October 27, 2006, in Alameda County, regarding the issue of disclosure of felony convictions on employment applications. There were representatives from all over California as well as the East Coast. It appears that support for the removal of the question is growing across the state as well as the country.
Mary Gin Starkweather noted that an article on foster children attending Lowell High School had been placed in member’s packets.
7. Old Business:
1) Consideration of 2 motions presented at the September 7, 2006 meeting –
Motion #1
That the HRC Employment Committee send a resolution for adoption to the HRC Commission to recommend that “The City & County continue its commitment to improve the economic, health and overall quality of life for Transition Aged Youth ages 14-24 who reside in San Francisco”. Further, we urge the City and County, City Departments and the Mayor’s office to direct needed resources to this high risk population.
Motion #2
That the City & County of San Francisco explore the feasibility of building a Youth Training & Employment Center in the Southeast Section of Bayview Hunter’s Point that will house needed and critical services under one facility. Further, that this Young/Adult Center will also serve as a social, meeting and networking place for youth and their families.
After active discussion, a working group consisting of members John Weber, Molly Baier, Norma Tecson and Ken Stram was formed for the purpose of modifying the language of both of the motions.
8. New Business:
1) Joseph P. Norelli, Regional Manager, National Labor Relations Board, Region 20 – Presentation on the laws enforced by the NLRB protecting workers’ rights and maintaining stability in the workplace.
Mr. Norelli gave an extensive presentation on the history of the formation of the NLRB. It was formed under the Wagner Act of 1935 as part of the New Deal policies. Its purpose was to prevent disruptions of commerce caused by industrial strife and to prevent the depression of wage rates and purchasing power of employees.
The NLRB ensures workers’ rights to form a union if they so wish, and prevents unfair labor practices by employers.
The NLRB is complaint driven and after an unfair labor practice charge is filed, an investigation is conducted. If reasonable cause to believe a violation exists, a voluntary settlement to remedy the alleged violations is sought. More than 90% of cases are resolved through mediation and only 4% go before the National Board, which consists of 5 members appointed to 5 year staggered terms by the President. A General Counsel is appointed by the President to a 4 year term.
John Crowley complimented Mr. Norelli and stated that his union had had very favorable experiences with the local Region 20 office.
For further information one may contact: The National Labor Relations Board, Franklin Court Building, Suite 5530, Washington, D.C. 20570-0001. Telephone: (202) 208-3000.
2) Darin Ow-Wing, Executive Director, Community Educational Services – Presentation on the CES program and services offered in San Francisco high schools
The mission of Community Educational Services is to develop children and youth to transform their lives, schools, and communities.
Established in 1969, CES is a non-profit organization that serves nearly 2,000 low income K-12 children and youth of all backgrounds in San Francisco. At the program center in Chinatown and at nine elementary, middle, and high schools across San Francisco, CES provides a range of services including:
• Arts & Cultural Enrichment
• Career Exploration
• College Guidance
• Counseling
• Employment
• Fitness & Nutrition
• Health and Wellness
• Mentoring
• Parent Outreach
• Tutoring & Homework Assistance
In addition, CES partners with schools to
• Increase mutual respect and teamwork among students and teachers
• Involve students in school change efforts
• Develop high school career academies
• Train teachers to utilize service-learning and youth empowerment
• Increase communication among neighborhood school principals
• Coordinate the delivery of comprehensive services to the school by multiple agencies
Mr. Ow-Wing talked particularly about the Galileo High School Health Academy, which provides students with an introduction to healthcare careers and healthcare themes. Students communicate with healthcare professionals and visit healthcare delivery systems as well as explore healthcare issues that impact a variety of communities and the healthcare delivery systems in general. Students develop related specific job skills including: mathematic skills used in healthcare, CPR Certification and college-level Medical Terminology.
Course Objectives/Goals
To introduce students to a myriad of healthcare careers and health delivery systems.
To introduce students to concepts of community and health issues that affect or afflict communities.
To teach students basic research skills.
To teach students basic oral and multimedia presentation skills.
To introduce students to healthcare related community issues.
To teach students basic healthcare related job skills.
To teach students basic writing skills.
To foster youth empowerment in order to make students and teachers allies for change in the classroom and in the community.
There are now 150 juniors and seniors participating in the program, which is a collaboration involving CES, the SFUSD School-to-Career Office, Galileo High School, Mission High School, the School of Health at City College, California pacific Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital and the Community Clinic Consortium.
Mr. Ow-Wing stated that because of the current policies of the SFUSD regarding school assignments, the majority of participants are Asian. However, the program is being expanded to include Mission High School next year.
3) Martha Zamora – Aftercare Coordinator – Independent Living Skills Program –
Presentation regarding employment opportunities for and challenges facing foster youth in San Francisco
Aftercare Services at ILSP provides case management for emancipated foster and probation youth 18-21. Aftercare Services develops a plan and can assist with resources and referrals for housing (emergency and transitional), counseling (mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse), vocational training, employment and job readiness, financial assistance with health and dental expenses not covered by Medi-Cal, assistance with basic furniture needs and start up kits for move-in, transportation, drivers training, interview clothing or uniforms for employment and college expenses. There are educational stipends that can assist with application fees, orientation fees, housing application fees, room and board on campus, college books, GED tests and etc. Individual Development Accounts (IDA's) are also offered.
Aftercare Services are available to young adults who were formerly SF dependents living both in SF and out of county, as well as former foster youth from other counties currently living in SF, and Probation youth residing in SF. To be eligible for Aftercare Services, youth had to be a dependent in out of home placement on/or after their 16th birthday.
THPP+ is a transitional housing program for San Francisco former foster youth who are at-risk of homelessness. The goal is to ensure that emancipating youth stabilize their housing situation, increase their employability, complete their GED or vocational training or enroll in a higher learning institution, and access health and nutrition benefit programs so they can be self-sufficient and self reliant.
THPP+ targets youth who already have emancipated but not reached the age of 21, youth who will be 18 and about to emancipate, and foster care youth who are 17 and preparing for emancipation. Youth are eligible for housing and services for 24 months or up until the day before their 21st birthday, whichever comes first.
For more information on Aftercare Services call: Martha E. Zamora, Aftercare Coordinator at 415-934-4209 or 1-888-553-0331, Stephen Murray, Aftercare Specialist at 415-934-4236 or Denise Deslonde, Aftercare Specialist at 415-934-4208.
9) Calendar Matters
The next meeting will be held:
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2006
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Place: HRC Offices
25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
10) Adjournment
Rich Bondoc moved and Norma Tecson seconded to adjourn at 3:35pm. It carried unanimously.