Date: 08/18/2009
Final
Department of Labor and Employment
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY POVERTY REDUCTION TASK FORCE
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02:36 PM -- Department of Labor and Employment
Ms. Alice Johnson, Mr. Bob Summers, Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, and Ms. Kathryn Otten, Director of Workforce Programs, Department of Labor and Employment, briefed the task force on the programs administered by the department that serve to alleviate poverty and promote economic opportunity. Task Force members received a packet of slides detailing the department's programs and activities (Attachment J), and the 2007 Workforce Investment Act annual report for Colorado (Attachment K). Mr. Summers first briefed the task force on Colorado's workers' compensation system. Ms. Johnson then briefed the task force on the state's unemployment insurance system.
02:47 PM
Ms. Johnson continued to brief the task force on unemployment insurance. Ms. Johnson responded to questions regarding a preference on the part of clients for the unemployment insurance benefits delivery system in place prior to recent changes, and the use of Chase Bank for benefits delivery. Discussion ensued regarding client dissatisfaction with unemployment benefits delivery. Ms. Otten briefed the committee on the state's work force development programs. Ms. Otten responded to questions regarding the level at which those served by the Workforce Investment Act found employment in the last year. Ms. Otten responded to further questions regarding the definition of "livable wage" used by the Department of Labor and Employment.
02:58 PM
Ms. Otten responded to questions regarding the use of the self-sufficiency standard at workforce centers, and how self-sufficiency is measured. Ms. Otten also explained certain performance measures used by the department as they pertain to child educational development. Discussion ensued regarding the ability of the Department of Labor and Employment to help those trapped in inter-generational poverty to attain employment, and the programs administered by the department that serve those with limited employment backgrounds.
03:10 PM
Discussion continued regarding services available to the chronically unemployed, and how the department attracts this population to such services. Ms. Otten returned to briefing the task force on work force programs administered by the department, including programs that serve the corrections population. Ms. Otten responded to questions regarding the continuation of the Stop the Revolving Door Program once the current funding source is depleted.
03:20 PM
Ms. Otten briefed the committee on the department's veterans programs and the Trade Adjustment Act Program.