Members Present: Dwight Davis (Chair), Michael Currier, Lynn West (representing Kathryn Dodge)

Others Present: Pauline LaCroix (Program Specialist, DOE), Bonnie St. Jean, Cathy Yeager (transcriptionist)

Not Present: Marty Boldin, Kevin Cash, Kathy Condon, Michelle Desmond, Steve DeMasco, Kathleen Jablonski, Sen. Sylvia Larsen, Paul Leather, Willard Martin, Debra Naro

Meeting Materials:
Agenda
Minutes of December 2, 2010
WIA Technical Assistance Conference [packets]

Call to Order: Anticipating Chair Davis' later arrival, Bonnie St. Jean called the meeting to order at 3:12PM in order to begin WIA Technical Assistance Conference reporting.

Item 2: WIA Technical Assistance Conference- St. Jean indicated that the presentation she was making was given in Concord and Portsmouth in January to PY2011 and 2012 potential contractors. There was a printout of the Power Point presentation, Year Round Program Requirements, Request for Proposal for In-School Year-Round Programs, Request for Proposal for Out-of-School Year-Round Programs, and a list of FAQ and answers. Bonnie's packet also included PY11 & 12 WIA Youth Proposals [submitted], RFP Timelines, WIA Title I Youth Program [out-of-school and in-school] Evaluation Forms, and Summary Score Fax Sheets. Michael Currier noted that on the proposal submission list, Cocheco Arts requested $54,000 for 9 students while the cost per student was $9,000. It appeared that the amount requested needed to be adjusted.

About $1.5 million is available for PY11 and PY12; proposal requests for $5.4 million have been submitted. Only one previous contractor did not submit a proposal this year, while several new contractors turned in proposals. Bonnie explained submission timelines, the review process, evaluation forms, and score sheets. She indicated that Conference attendees signed in; everyone attending the Conference submitted a proposal.

St. Jean explained each Technical Assistance Conference PowerPoint presentation image, provided additional details, and responded to questions.

Michael Currier inquired about submitted program applications indicating he was eager to begin review. Bonnie St. Jean had them on hand and was ready to turn them over to reviewers present.

Item 1: Approve Minutes of December 2, 2010- Chair Davis indicated that, with lack of a quorum today, minute review and approval would be deferred to the March meeting.

Item 3: Other Business Not Itemized on Agenda- Bullying Conference- Bonnie St. Jean reported that DOE and Juvenile Justice will co-host the free conference at the Grappone Center in Concord on Monday, April 4th. She will see that registration information is available to everyone indicating interest. Davis and Currier would like to become actively involved in the event, and Currier is motivated to create an appropriate middle school program.

NH Works Conference- USDOL had inquired about the possibility of hosting a conference for which they would provide technical assistance. St. Jean said a proposal was submitted and approved to fund the NH Works conference in Manchester. On Wednesday the subcommittee will meet to plan the early summer event.

Dwight Davis Honored- Bonnie St. Jean noted that the Youth Council Chair does a wonderful job going out speaking to, interacting with, and inspiring New Hampshire's youth. NH Jobs for America's Graduates annually recognizes such individuals, and Bonnie presented Chair Davis with this year's plaque honoring his positive influence on youth. Mr. Davis humbly accepted the plaque.

Youth Voices- Youth Voices members have created a NH Parks System Plan for DRED to consider. The Plan includes encouraging teachers to schedule park field trips, youth creation of displays promoting the parks, sponsoring a battle of the bands at Hampton Beach, promoting park education, and leading park cleanups. The YV proposal will be presented at their March meeting. Commissioner Bald is very pleased about the teens' appreciation of and support for the Parks System.

PY11 & 12 WIA Youth Proposals: Chair Davis wanted to be certain there were enough committed proposal reviewers. In addition to himself, reviewers are Marty Boldin, Michael Currier, Kathleen Jablonski, Michael Power, Bonnie St. Jean, and Lynn West. St. Jean will contact a few others to help review proposals. Davis, Currier, and West immediately accepted submissions to independently peruse and score. Bonnie encouraged them to go over the materials a few days before the February 28th reviewers' meeting so detail recall would be easier.

Bonnie St. Jeans New Position- Bonnie announced that she has taken an Administrative II position at the OWO office, filling Jackie Heuser's previous post. St. Jean indicated that there are not funds in the DOE budget to hire and train someone to be her successor while she is still at DOE. She would like to help, in her new capacity, with succession planning and training, but she decided it was time to make a change. Bonnie St. Jean was wished the best in her new position.

Adjourn: 4:04PM
Next Youth Council Meeting- March 3, 2011 at 3PM at DOE, 21 South Fruit Street, Concord; 1st floor conference room; Youth Voices will meet in the 3rd floor conference room.