Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arizona at Work presents 2023–24 report to Cochise County supervisors
Summary
Arizona at Work’s Cochise-Graham-Greenlee consortium told supervisors it has seen funding cuts tied to low local unemployment even as local training programs — including a police academy partnership — continue placing participants into jobs.
Veda Phelps, a representative of the Southeastern Arizona Arizona at Work consortium, presented the program’s 2023–24 annual report to the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, outlining workforce training activity across Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties and warning of continuing federal funding reductions tied to low local unemployment.
Phelps said the program operates under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding framework and noted that federal allocation formulas — which weight funding toward areas with higher unemployment — have reduced local program funding by about $1.7 million over the past five years and could cut another $700,000 this year. She told the board the cuts “have nothing to do with performance” and said the local consortium believes it is among the stronger programs in Arizona.
The report packet shared with the board included program performance indicators, a board roster, current budget and an audit. Phelps told supervisors the audit contained no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and that the program qualified as a low-risk auditee.
Mary Anne Hockstead, who represents Catholic Community Services on the Arizona at Work board and described herself as the board’s labor representative, told supervisors how the program helps clients overcome barriers such as childcare and basic skill gaps. Hockstead described three participant vignettes: a single mother who obtained a GED and later enrolled at Cochise College; a 25-year-old who used program support to train as a firefighter and now works in that role; and a participant who completed a bachelor’s degree and now works in cybersecurity.
Phelps highlighted a local partnership with Cochise College that trained police cadets: “Since 2021, 106 cadets have been enrolled by Arizona at Work; 89 are currently working as police officers,” she said, adding that enrollment and completion figures are shown in the board packet. Phelps and Hockstead said counselors also provide employer outreach and business services.
Supervisors asked about the program’s relationship with the state Department of Economic Security (DES). Phelps said DES provides Wagner-Peyser and vocational rehabilitation services and works in the same local office; she distinguished Arizona at Work as the source for training and skills development while noting DES handles job placement for jobseekers seeking immediate employment. Crosby and other supervisors praised the program’s local partnerships and employment outcomes.
The presentation concluded with supervisors expressing thanks; no vote or formal action was required on the annual report.
