Melissa Ellenwood of New Martinsville works as a receptionist at the WorkForce West Virginia Career Center through NWIB’s 2011 Summer Youth Work Experience Program.

During the Wetzel County Commission meeting held July 12 it was learned they had not yet been reimbursed by the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services for the 2009 grant for Valley High School’s Prevention Resource Officer.

Upon further investigation, the commission was told the WV DJCS has not received the necessary reports and invoices that are the responsibility of the sheriff. The commission stated they agreed to run the grants through their accounting system but were unhappy that they were not getting reimbursed in a timely manner.

In discussing their options in handling the situation, the commission agreed to discuss the matter with Attorney Timothy Haught. A lawsuit could potentially be filed by the county commission against Wetzel County Sheriff James Hoskins.

In another matter, the commission accepted the bid from Atlas Geographic Data, Inc., for the E-911 addressing project upon E-911 Director Ed Sapp’s recommendation. Atlas Geographic Data, Inc., is a GIS professional services company with full service, project management, and production facilities in Wilmington, N.C. According to their Web site, their GIS mapping capability and experience includes both Cadastral mapping from deeds as well as direct conversion of existing maps. The company has done similar mapping projects nationwide, including at least one other county in West Virginia. The commission approved Atlas Geographic’s bid at the estimated cost of $79,100.

Lastly, Rosemary Guida, executive director for the Northern Panhandle Workforce Investment Board, Inc., presented program updates to the commission. Particularly, Guida discussed the success of the 2011 Summer Youth Work Experience Program, which is presently underway. Locally, 24 youth from are working at various sites in the county including the courthouse, 4-H grounds, Wetzel County Hospital, WorkForce West Virginia Career Center, and areas of Pine Grove.

The six-week program is offered in all of the six counties in Region Five, which consists of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler counties. The Summer Youth Work Experience Program provides youth with work experiences, along with job readiness training, during the summer months. The program is for resident youth ages 14-24. Youth, ages 14-17, work primarily at public and non-profit worksites while those aged 18-24 work at public, private sector, and non-profit worksites.

Guida stated that while the program is smaller this year than in the past due to funding, she was happy to report they were able to buy participants safety equipment, lunch, and snacks, and will offer two $25 gas cards each to those who complete the program satisfactorily.

Furthermore, Guida noted that West Virginia is one of very few states receiving more Workforce Investment Act funding, instead of less, for the upcoming year. She explained federal funding allotments are based on a formula and as such West Virginia will receive more funding due to the state’s high unemployment rate and large number of disadvantaged residents.

The first installment of WIA funds for the July 1 to Sept. 30 period will be divided as follows: Adult funding, $69,412; and dislocated worker funding, $52,181. NPWIB’s total Youth Budget Award for the upcoming program year will be $744,544, which is notably $116,250 more than they had this program year.

Through these funds other new programs are in the works. First, Guida brought up an exciting new youth-oriented program that is set to begin this fall. The “Training 4 Our Future” Youth Program offers job readiness training and computer skills learning to disabled youth, ages 14-24, in the northern panhandle region. In addition to learning worthwhile, necessary skills, those who complete the program are rewarded with a new laptop computer as added incentive to the program.

In cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, the Regional Education Service Agency VI, and Mission West Virginia, the class consists of up to 11 weeks of instruction/curriculum. Focuses of the class include learning to complete a job application, problem solve, give feedback and take criticism, communicate on the job, organize daily work activities, and open a bank account.

The second and last phase of the program is known as the “Build It, Keep It, Share It” phase where participants learn basic keyboarding, internet navigation, hardware and software installation, troubleshooting, proper care and maintenance of computers, computer repair, etc. As previously stated, each participating youth who successfully completes the required curriculum will receive a new laptop computer for their own personal use.

This program is free to those who are eligible and will be available at each of the Workforce Centers in the region. For more information call Kelly or Chris at 304-231-1170.

Lastly, Guida told the commission about the Work Now Program, which is another new program anticipated to begin by August. Funded by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, the NWIB will administer and oversee the program in the northern panhandle region. The NPWIB plans to serve nearly 300 TANF eligible recipients, with 100 of them targeted for job placement.

The Work Now Program is a “hire first, train later” reimbursement program for area employers. Eligible employers include private-for-profit, private non-profit, or public businesses/organizations/agencies. Eligible TANF individuals are placed into job positions and are required to work between 30-40 hours per week. The employer must retain the employee(s) until the expiration of a Contractual Agreement, that being a 12-month period. After that time, the employer is under no obligation to keep the employee.

The added advantage to this program is that participating employers will receive 100 percent reimbursement of gross wages paid to the employee, provided on a monthly basis. A participating employer can also apply for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

The commission thanked Guida for sharing such news and hoped to be kept abreast of the anticipated progress from the various programs outlined.