[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6494704,"mediaKeyId","5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd","parentId",5615239,"title","Construction Recruitment Institute highlights outreach, job‑placement plans to address industry workforce shortages","audioSeconds",556,"startMs",3066000,"endMs",3622000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd&start=3066&end=3622","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd/thumbnail_3066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6494704/Alabama/Construction-Recruitment-Institute-highlights-outreach-jobplacement-plans-to-address-industry-workforce-shortages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494704-b702732cbc2dfcdf037a32682210170b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172138&Signature=K6DD01w~H-Ij87ddCG5WvgkITi3yHPUFZRzr8Vr~LpAibJXnDyWX3ZLo2~1uVL1Tbc1tSkDc5kAmYErJD3ANKEkPyN9JOX9S530fWn5HWqsnyq1ifWwZi5GrOcnW7tSdDFq6CcRgLU4YYxlAP5LOcxRV9mpaS7YQXo3kkdjhFDD8IfdsNY66wXkpwWk5FGYFmhFMrYEogMejN8ZJflXz~GEvYQAFBuCzXVoRCa7TJ4drYEtbxfkyJ6tgMG7ftL9SVcf~7dp0t1DwOUVx-firJs033a59qpcq5EsFOPpGGTIl-I7MKJQ2jZkKTJp5VFvUdf341ki6XO3gJKlTYtWIVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Joint Sessions","date","2025-08-21T17:17:50.257Z","article","The Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute reported to the Sunset Committee that it is transitioning from broad messaging to direct job placement and training partnerships to help address construction workforce shortages.

Executive Director Jason Phelps said the institute \"has started to transition more from just messaging to those hands on, types of resources that are available to adults and making that connection to put them into the actual job place, around the state of Alabama for the contractors that are there.\" He described expanded marketing, a new job board and strategic planning to pilot regional job placement coordinators.

Phelps said the board retained conservative reserves — typically between $1 million and $1.5 million — to provide a buffer in an economic downturn. He explained an interagency agreement with the Alabama Construction Industry Craft Training (CICT) Board that has management and grant responsibilities, which can complicate year‑to‑year accounting: \"the way our program is funded, it is based off of a fee on the number of people that are working in the state... so in trying to calculate those projections, sometimes it's a little bit tricky.\" Committee members asked about professional services increases; Phelps said most of that was marketing and strategic vendor work for regional outreach.

Phelps said the institute measures marketing performance by clicks, site hits and ad‑level tracking, but that converting interest to completed training and job placement remains the operational challenge and motivates added staffing for follow‑up.

No formal committee action was taken. Representatives commended the organization's efforts to connect disengaged residents with training and apprenticeships and encouraged continued tracking of outcomes and regional partnerships.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Joint Interim Sunset Committee Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","The Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute told the Sunset Committee it has shifted from messaging to hands‑on placement and training connections, and plans regional outreach, job placement coordinators and special projects to increase workforce supply for the commercial construction sector.","taxTitle","Joint Interim Committees, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",14940,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6494711,"Sickle Cell Oversight Commission asks for continued funding as caseloads and testing expand",665,1843000,2508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd&start=1843&end=2508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd/thumbnail_1843000.jpg","/articles/6494711/Alabama/Sickle-Cell-Oversight-Commission-asks-for-continued-funding-as-caseloads-and-testing-expand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494711-70ea90c4efa21ba8e93755cf9d9e7dad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172138&Signature=MSw3mVWLKGqF1S~UvspuOb-FzlK8JmkT75GULshLcbXw-oS1FQinr8MzOvWUF8QT3ymDJ9GmfOtdUW6t1fZ15tMukpm6rSgtIKSF7IX8LOBEGS1aapNTruwXRj-9Aum~wJAoUlE4kpbnagpiPLPs9HHjEqC-4~hwX1d3N4QIZgYMSA0b6IqQ~JzXlSfAh2pDvTIoqvdxmLVhpZnP~RcAvITlLtAxMseE1VVTqOnB0MAuaBM3tDR0mzJG5IVGa25YXziBNSOkH0qHxdxcxq5TbF3uHTNB~yrQi4AegV7hwp-pXvRSjT-xO5JQYLuS5TUEIsmnL7E~nExtPMvXYvG7lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission told the Sunset Committee the number of Alabamians living with sickle cell disease has increased since 2002 and that centers and community‑based organizations need sustained funding to meet screening, counseling and education demands.

\"We now have over 2 times as many individuals living with sickle cell disease in Alabama now when compared to 2002,\" Vice President Dr. Artie Packnabian said. The commission cited 2020 surveillance data estimating about 4,000 individuals in Alabama with sickle cell disease compared with roughly 2,500 in 2002 and noted the Alabama Department of Public Health’s newborn screening program diagnoses 50 to 60 newborns annually.

Commission members said demand for trait testing and counseling has grown because of rules such as NCAA athletic screening and broader public awareness. Vice President Packnabian said the board funds three medical centers — University of South Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama — and six community‑based organizations (Central Alabama, West Alabama, Greater Montgomery, Southeast Alabama, Mobile and North Alabama) that provide testing, counseling and outreach.

Commission staff addressed a procedural finding about a contract and RFP timeline. Executive Director Keith Warren told the committee \"the contract is current, and will be renewed timely,\" and said staff worked through two RFP cycles with the attorney general’s office and procurement before the September expiration. Warren and commissioners said they have since corrected posting and contract timing issues: \"since May 2022, we are in compliance with all postings for members.\" Committee members pressed the commission on emergency contracts and report delivery; commissioners said they had scrutinized proposals and sought more competitive responses before renewing services.

Commissioners emphasized education and community outreach. A community representative said community‑based organizations counsel parents of infants identified with trait and maintain referral rates for babies with disease. The commission said target performance goals include counseling 80% of parents of infants identified with sickle cell trait and providing referrals for babies diagnosed with disease.

No formal budget action occurred during the hearing. Commissioners asked for continued legislative support to sustain and expand services to meet growing testing and counseling demand.","The Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission told the Sunset Committee it needs sustained or increased funding to expand screening, counseling and services as diagnosed and tested cases in Alabama have risen since 2002.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6494715,"Alabama Prosthetics Board Reports Shrinking Licensee Base, Shortfalls Prompt Internal Cuts",538,551000,1089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd&start=551&end=1089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615239-c21b2a97870367a68a794988fa67b6dd/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6494715/Alabama/Alabama-Prosthetics-Board-Reports-Shrinking-Licensee-Base-Shortfalls-Prompt-Internal-Cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6494715-ee5d4db98367153573ab908a4e5a90fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172138&Signature=FCORFvEZPzuCTnP5kjDVGBLt6PHBdrGS144RzaZjF-xPlIYfxunwIqz8MQDkfTwyTs8KBJT46JvOlAEOmCOZi2Qun9jxzKw2jeeRAH4msRiqUFVKbO~eqYd8CmWkTwKZ0sSOp4p85AAeKPlsctRyKlE2gqsYHXkz0q74FKcvBcIcvczYvUzSPyiuD686g6h6PRh~5gpEoy8gUwziG2moMtfQkAVJHicsIoidH83OjAt6D7~ANNj1PBUAu302CUTemJBh2TW0rir3pKX6SSMbZNuLncBpG-tTcKtvBVf7DCx3aRiuz8JH~anKz9Ky-OoYrE3fxn1QAVgjdU5F4mYOTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists told the Sunset Committee on Aug. 15 that the board is collecting less revenue as higher‑fee practitioners retire or move out of state, creating a structural shortfall.

\"The primary issue that the board's been having for the past 3 to 4 years is having more expenditures than we're taking in in revenue,\" Executive Director Ron Ezell said. He said a major driver is a shift in the mix of applicants: \"The high end skilled practitioners' license fee is $450 a year, whereby ... an orthotic fitter ... their license fee is $125 a year. So we have lost a good bit of the high end practitioners at $450 and many of the applications are coming into the Board with 125.\" Ezell added that, despite cost reductions in administrative services, \"we were still losing money, having a dip in our cash reserve\" for fiscal 2025.

Ezell said the board reduced his own salary by $18,000 a year beginning Oct. 1 to help close the gap. Committee members pressed for alternatives to raising fees. Senator Elliott said increasing license fees while license counts drop is the \"wrong way to go,\" urging the board to seek administrative efficiencies instead.

Committee members and board representatives also discussed access to care. Ezell said some practitioners on the board \"are not able to cover all prosthetic and orthotic patients in the state right now based on the shortage\" and that \"there's at this point there's somewhat access to care issue.\" Representative Underwood asked how long a patient would wait for care; board members present estimated \"a couple weeks\" for appointments in many areas.

Regulatory and credential questions were raised about the relationship between state licensure and national certification. Ezell and board members explained that Alabama requires national certification by the American Board for Certification (ABC) or the Board of Certification (BOC) as part of the state licensure application, but that national certification does not fully substitute for state licensure because national boards' historic grandfathering allowed credentialed individuals without the school's coursework now required. Ezell said the national boards currently require a master's degree for prosthetists and orthotists.

The board reported recent outreach and investigations, including one into the national retailer Good Feet. Board staff said Good Feet associates fitted an off‑the‑shelf item in a store and that their lawyers determined the product and interaction did not meet Alabama's definition of a custom orthotic requiring licensure.

The board also described vacancies and recent reappointments. Ezell acknowledged that public appointment records were not up to date on the board website but said reappointments had been made after the report's submission. Committee members urged the board to maintain timelier public records and to actively manage nominations.

The board said it will discuss additional measures at a post‑Sunset meeting. No formal motions or statutory changes were made at the hearing.","The Alabama Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists told the Legislature's Sunset Committee it is receiving less revenue as higher‑fee practitioners leave the state or retire, creating budget shortfalls that prompted a director salary reduction and a board discussion of further options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Construction Recruitment Institute highlights outreach, job‑placement plans to address industry workforce shortages

Sickle Cell Oversight Commission asks for continued funding as caseloads and testing expand

Alabama Prosthetics Board Reports Shrinking Licensee Base, Shortfalls Prompt Internal Cuts