04/10/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. Brazell indicated that SWPIC has been highly successful with its programs statewide and highlighted the dislocated worker program as a model for this success. He noted that in the near future SWPIC will be closely monitoring state legislative proposals for changes affecting many of the programs. He also pointed out that legislation recently introduced by Governor Roberts could potentially create new opportunities for helping disadvantaged workers toward self-sufficiency. He underscored the fact that SWPIC is hoping to maintain local rather than State control for its program. Councilor MacDonald, the City's representative on the SWPIC Board of Direc- tors, noted that major cuts in funding levels have forced some difficult program cutbacks, predominantly in adult services. This has challenged SWPIC's goal of breaking down work force barriers to at-risk populations. He also noted that this is a model job training program in Oregon. Mr. Green also pointed out that SWPIC has received national recognition for its program. Laurie Swanson, Executive Director of SWPIC, reported on the success of SWPIC. She reminded the council that SWPIC was formed three years ago as a means of regulating all Federal Job Training Partnership Act funds for the combined jurisdictions of Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County. However, since that time, SWPIC has diversified 50 percent away from Federal funding. Ms. Swanson provided the council with statistics regarding the percentage of program use by Eugene residents. Ms. Swanson concurred with Mr. Brazell's estimation that this year's legisla- tive session will be very active for those involved in work force issues. With the anticipation of new regulations and responsibilities that will come about as a result of new legislation, Ms. Swanson suggested that rather than forming new groups to deal with the State mandates, the City rely more heavi- ly on SWPIC to handle the responsibilities. Ms. Ehrman noted that in its last presentation before the council, SWPIC was predicting major changes in the definition of at-risk individuals and in- quired about the status of this issue. In response, Ms. Swanson said that the amendments to the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) that were expected in the last legislative session did not pass. Therefore, the major changes which were anticipated did not take place as predicted. However, SWPIC is anticipating that those amendments will be re-introduced in this legislative session. In addition, the Department of Labor has put forth new regulations governing job training in an attempt to rebuild confidence nation-wide in the system. One of these amendments calls for the sunset of JTPA in 1995. Typi- cally, Federal job training programs run in ten-year cycles. V. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON BUDGET John Moseley, Vice President for Research at the University of Oregon, briefed the council on the Oregon Department of Higher Education's budget process and the University's proposed budget cuts. He noted that due to the MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 10, 1991 Page 5