Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Workforce Development revamps communications, wins state funds for disability hiring supports; new DRC coordinator to start May 27
Summary
Tompkins County Workforce Development reported an overhaul of its website, a growing newsletter and outreach, the departure of a communications specialist, and the imminent hiring of a disability resource coordinator. The department said it secured roughly $61,000 in state funds to support training, outreach and adaptive technology for employers
Tompkins County Workforce Development told the Housing & Economic Development Committee on May 21 that it has updated its communications platform, is expanding services for jobseekers with disabilities, and has obtained state funding for business outreach, adaptive technology and staff training.
Chris Bond, director of Workforce Development, described a reworked website, a monthly newsletter, new outreach materials and stronger partner coordination. "We have about 6,000" jobseekers on the department list, Bond said, and the newsletter has a strong engagement rate: "the open rate is 43.7%" and unique opens were reported as 2,788 in the last month. Bond said the department will continue rebranding and expects a refreshed logo by year-end.
On staffing, Bond said communications specialist Scout Frost recently left for a job outside the county and the department will recruit a replacement. He also said the department will hire a disability resource coordinator who is scheduled to start May 27, and he noted an earlier hire: "Jordan" is the transition workforce specialist who began work on the county-funded position and appears in department outreach materials.
State funding and disability work: Bond said the department submitted for and was awarded roughly $61,000 from a state program referenced at the meeting as the "New York sign program" (as stated by staff). The award will fund staff training, business outreach and adaptive technology such as specialized keyboards and screen-reading software, plus a half-day summit for local employers. Bond said the funds can cover some staff wages and fringes for program delivery. "They identified us. So we were very excited for that," he said.
Why it matters: The communications improvements aim to increase jobseeker access and partner coordination; the state award and the new disability coordinator are targeted interventions to expand employment for people with disabilities and to help local businesses recruit and retain that talent pool.
What else was reported: Workforce Development described partnerships such as Indeed Job Search Academy, Coursera learning opportunities, and a local manufacturing expo for youth that drew 250 students from 13 high schools. The department also plans employer workshops driven by a recent business survey on disability hiring needs.
What was not specified: Bond described the state fund award and general uses but did not provide a formal grant name or final Notice of Award at the meeting; he said the department is awaiting a NOA from the state. He also said the communications program is ongoing and further refinements are planned.
