1. Review Minutes for February 16 Committee Meeting and March 14 Conference Call

Ernie referred to the attached minutes from the February 16 meeting and the March 14 conference call and asked members to read.

No discussion resulted from the past minutes.

2. Review Outcomes and Potential Measures

• 75% of Ohio youth should have a paid/unpaid work experience
• 100% of Ohio youth should complete an employer expectations program (breakthrough ideas)
• 100% of Ohio youth should complete a community service project
• ___% of Ohio youth should complete high school with an individual career plan

Kris Cox and Cyrena Donahue presented the statewide averages for high school graduation rate, percentage of students suspended, average length of suspension and student attendance rate, as reported by the Ohio Department of Education through proficiency test related data.

Ernie asked for clarification of the attendance rate formula and for ODE staff to research and include the ODE Minimum State Performance Standards.

Ernie said that in the conference call on March 14, committee members initially proposed a 90% graduation rate. The graduation rate for the 98-99 school year was 81.4% according to the information provided by the ODE staff. It was suggested that the next step would be to review all the materials from this meeting and the forthcoming information from the Department of Education. At the June committee meeting we will identify concerns and suggestions regarding the potential measures.

3. Review Public Comments Regarding State Plan (Youth)

4. Department of Labor Summary Comments on Ohio’s Youth Transition Plan (attached)

A handout of the Summary of DOL comments on Ohio’s Abbreviated Youth Services Transition Plan was distributed.

Ernie asked what specifics the youth committee should be aware of regarding DOL requests and OBES responses.

Lyn said that Ohio agreed to publish legal notices in newspapers as well as on the web when bids are open. She explained to the committee that the local youth plans can receive funds and begin service on 4/1/00 through 7/1/00. Only 15 youth plans have been submitted to date. Several members suggested that some areas are utilizing TANF funds or other carry over sources. Local areas can submit youth plans anytime; there is no deadline.

Martha Dorsey said that this plan is just the transition plan and that a more detailed youth program will be addressed in the 5-year plan the local areas are to submit. This youth plan will be more comprehensive and include the local youth councils. Lyn said that DOL’s biggest concern was the option area and that it needs to have a viable board. DOL does not have authority to advise those local option boards.

OBES submitted responses to the Department of Labor’s requests.

DOL approved Ohio’s Youth Transition Plan and their requests were satisfied.

5. Presentations on Innovative Youth Programs

Ernie introduced this section of the meeting as a chance to listen to some breakthrough ideas and opportunities that are available to Ohio’s youth. He wants to see if there are opportunities to benchmark and leverage the programs working well. Ernie gave each group 20-25 minutes to present due to committee time restraints.

Bob Garbo and Libby Morgan-Sisson are from the Tri-County Community Action Agency. Bob is the executive director and he began with handouts of background information. He discussed the Labor Market Information (LMI) map from OBES that shows the economically depressed area where they are located. Hocking, Athens, and Perry Counties are among the highest poverty rate counties in Ohio and includes many working poor. He shared a handout on Tri-County Community Action Agency’s programs, including

highlights from the 1999 Impact Report. Bob introduced Libby, who was once a recipient of services. She discussed their innovative summer youth programs. These are:

• Aviation Program
• Work Team Projects
• Individual Job Sites
• Academic Enrichment/Career Fair

(Detailed program information was included in packets)

The next presentation was from Dennis Davis and Harold Cullum from the South Central JOG program. Dennis is the Drop-out Recovery Specialist. Dennis provided a background of the students he serves. The youth have dropped out of high school, have low self-esteem and lack direction in their lives. The target audience for the program is youth 16- 22 years of age, in need of employment skills, career exploration and high school diploma or GED. The youth need to be out of school for at least 60 days before serving. The Drop-out Recovery Program can:

• give youth a second chance,
• assist them in setting goals,
• encourage them to reach their goals,
• give guidance for vocational/college education,
• enable them to become leaders in the community.

There are currently only 13 JOG Drop-out Recovery Programs in Ohio.

6. Planning Next Meeting

After listening to the presentations and after several people mentioned the service learning connection, Ernie requested that Service Learning be presented at the June committee meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 P.M.