Get It From

The SourceFebruary 2019

Volume 15, Issue 8

A proud partner of theAmerican Job Center network

In This Month’s Issue

OhioMeansJobs Offers Employer Seminars

Page 1

OBRN Selected to Speak at National Forum

Page 1

Stark County District Library and OhioMeansJobs Stark County Partner to Offer Workshops

Page 2

MLK Breakfast Provides Opportunity to Connect

Page 2

Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board and Workforce Initiative Association Attend Kick-Off

Page 3

Workforce Investment Council Provides Vending Machine

Page 3

It’s Tax Season and VITA is Ready to Assist Local Residents With Free Tax Filing

Page 4

VITA Tax Clinics Available in Tuscarawas County

Page 5

OMJ Tuscarawas County Supports United Way “Post Holiday Blues”

Page 6

Buckeye Career Center Open House

Page 6

How to Increase Your Labor Pool Flier

Page 7

Overheard in a WorkshopPage 8

Upcoming EventsPage 8

OhioMeansJobs Offers Employer Seminars

Historically low unemployment rates have put pressure on traditional talent recruitment strategies. Steady job growth has resulted in an increasingly smaller pool of potential workers

to consider hiring.

OhioMeansJobs Stark & Tuscarawas Counties recognizes these challenges and is offering “How to Increase Your Labor Pool”, a series of free seminars designed specifically for employers and their human resource staff. A panel of experts will address the current labor shortage, and offer advice and tips to ease the talent crunch.

“Restored Citizens – Ohio’s Remedies to Help You Hire People with Criminal Convictions, will be the first session of this series. It will be held Friday, February 22nd and offered 9am-11am and also from 1-3pm at the OhioMeansJobs Stark County office at 822-30th Street NW in Canton.

Professor Joann Sahl, assistant director of the University of Akron Legal Clinic who supervises the Reentry Clinic and the Civil Practice Clinic at the University of Akron Law School; and William A (Will) Eleby administrator for the Office of Reentry and Enterprise Development for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, will be the featured speakers.

Reservations can be made by contacting Kelly Haer, Business Services Manager, at khaer@omjwork.com. Space is limited.

The Ohio Business Resource Network has been selected by the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) to present at the NAWB 2019 Forum that will be held March 23-26,

2019 in Washington, D.C.

The presentation will be a panel discussion focusing on how the model can help local economic development professionals partner more closely with local workforce development boards to implement a regional business service delivery strategy, demonstrating an ability to meet employer needs. The OBRN helps the business determine which programs might assist in the employer’s current and future needs to grow or expand their businesses. The model is also being expanded into workforce development regions in Northern West Virginia and SW Pennsylvania.

Serving on the panel will be Matt Falter, OBRN Project Director, Jennifer Meek Eells, Executive Director, Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board, JoAnn Breedlove, COO, Workforce Initiative Association and Jim Denova, Vice President, Benedum Foundation.

OBRN Selected to Speak at National Forum

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Stark County District Library and OhioMeansJobs Stark County Partner to Offer Workshops

STWDB Director Jennifer Meek Eells and Workforce Initiative Association COO JoAnn Breedlove attended the Stark County Mayors’ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast on Thursday, January 17th. Pictured are Ron Ponder, Ray Hexamer, Breedlove, Ralph Lee, and Janelle Lee. Special thanks to Ray Hexamer and the Stark County Economic Development Board for

sponsoring the table.

The Stark County District Library will be offering a workshop on Microsoft Word I at OhioMeansJobs Stark County on Thursday, February 14 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and again on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. -

3:30 p.m. The workshop is part of the library’s basics series and will teach attendees the basics of using the Word 365 program.

The library and OhioMeansJobs have worked in partnership to increase awareness of the many services and resources available at both organizations to assist the community. Customers at the OhioMeansJobs centers have access to brochures and information about the library programs and services, as well as a lending library. Individuals using the centers may take out a book from the OhioMeansJobs center and return it to any of the Stark County District Library locations.

Resource Center Manager/One-Stop Officer Amy Miller states, “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to work in partnership with the Stark County District Library to provide the Microsoft Word 365 workshop. Many of our customers need a better understanding of using Word as they are going through the process of developing a resume. This workshop will provide them with valuable information and skills.”

OhioMeansJobs staff will be providing job search workshops at three branches of the library system in March, April and May. The “How to Ace an Interview” workshop and “Writing an Effective Resume” workshop will be offered at the DeHoff Branch in March, the Madge Youtz branch in April, and the Main branch in May. Providing these workshops at the libraries will give job seekers the opportunity to attend job search workshops in the library setting, and learn more about the OMJ centers as part of the presentations.

MLK Jr. Day Breakfast Provides Opportunity to Connect

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Workforce Investment Council Provides Vending Machine

The Workforce Investment Council is a nonprofit organized to support the work of the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board and the OhioMeansJobs Centers in Stark and Tuscarawas counties. It

currently sponsors our annual “TES the Season” and Veteran’s Month gift card programs.

In late December, it also began providing vending machine services in the Stark OhioMeansJobs Center. A private vending company provided this service in the past; however, service and selection were sometimes an issue, and prices tended to be high and would change without notice. Now that the Workforce Investment Council provides the vending, a dedicated team of volunteers regularly stocks and services the machine to ensure drinks and snacks are always available to OhioMeansJobs Center visitors and partners. The volunteers also work to have a selection of both healthier and low cost options available for customers and staff.

Proceeds from the vending machine will be used to support new programming for the Workforce Investment Council.

Thank you to everyone for their support of this project, and if you haven’t visited the new vending machine yet, please do so to see what’s available.

STWDB Director Jennifer Meek Eells and Workforce Initiative Association COO JoAnn Breedlove participated with the team from Ohio at the Policy Academy for Innovative Employment Strategies

(PAIES) in Arlington Virginia January 7th, 8th, and 9th.

The Policy Academy Kick-Off meeting was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Teams from Ohio, Nevada, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts participated in the event with coaching and career pathways planning grants secured through the HHS Office of Family Assistance. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services received two planning grants – one for coaching and one for career pathways – in working with the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program participants.

PAIES is dedicated to help agencies across the country work with families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) use innovative and creative programs to assist TANF recipients become employed.

Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board and Workforce Initiative Association Attend Kick-Off

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United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is now scheduling appointments for the 2019 tax return season.

VITA assists individuals and families who have an income of $65,000 or less by filing their taxes for free. VITA volunteers work with clients to identify tax credits that are often overlooked, while helping people avoid the high cost of paid preparers and predatory lenders. Clients filing with direct deposit can typically expect a refund in 7-10 days. An IRS-compliant drop-off service is also available every Monday at United Way of Greater Stark County, January 28 to April 8, 930AM – 530PM, for taxpayers who are unable to schedule in-person assistance.

There will also be two “Take your Taxes for a Ride” drive-thru events on February 23 and March 30, from 10AM – 4PM at United Way of Greater Stark County’s Financial Prosperity Center at OhioMeansJobs Stark County.

“The goal of the VITA events is to make it a little easier for tax payers to file their taxes and therefore increase awareness of our free program,” explains VITA Site Coordinator Tami Stephens. “We help people access the tax credits for which they are qualified, while saving them money spent on filing fees, typically about $250.”

According to census data, approximately 74,000 households in Stark County make less than $50,000 a year. Of these households, only 2,300 (3%) of these households filed with VITA last year.

Last year, 112 volunteer tax preparers donated 2,114 hours of their time and helped complete 4,656 Federal and State returns. The service was named “Ohio Benefit Bank Site of the Year” by the Ohio Association of Food Banks for the past 4 years. VITA was also voted one of the top three tax services in Stark County in The Canton Repository’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the past 3 years. Tax clinics are scheduled at multiple locations throughout tax season.

“VITA helps taxpayers in our community save a substantial amount of money, bringing more money back into local businesses and stimulating the economy” says United Way of Greater Stark County’s President & CEO Maria Heege. “Last tax season, VITA volunteers helped income tax clients in Stark and Carroll Counties collect over $3.2 million in tax credits and refunds.”

VITA clinics are available at many locations, including Carroll County District Library, CSE Federal Credit Union in Canton, Malone University, Massillon Recreation Center, OhioMeansJobs (Stark & Tuscarawas Counties), Rodman Library, Stark County District Library (Main, East Canton, Sandy Valley, and Madge Youtz), Stark State College, United Way of Greater Stark County, Walsh University and Woodforest Massillon Walmart.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.uwstark.org or call 330-994-VITA (8482), Monday - Thursday, 10AM -5PM.

It’s Tax Season and VITA is Ready to Assist Local Residents With Free Tax Filing

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VITA Tax Clinics Available in Tuscarawas County

United Way of Tuscarawas County will be providing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Clinics in Tuscarawas County at the OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County office starting in February. The clinics will

enable qualified individuals to have their tax returns prepared for free.

This is the first year VITA tax clinics have been provided in Tuscarawas County. United Way of Tuscarawas County partnered with United Way of Greater Stark County to offer the tax preparation services to Tuscarawas County residents.

The clinics at OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas County are scheduled for:

Thursday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Thursday, February 28 from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Thursday, March 14 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Thursday, March 28 from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Saturday, April 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Individuals interested in getting their taxes completed through VITA can contact United Way by phone at 330-994-VITA (8482) or online at uwstark.org/our-work/community-programs/vita.

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OMJ Tuscarawas Supports United Way “Post Holiday Blues”

Staff and partners of the OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas center participated in United Way of Tuscarawas “Post Holiday Blues” Jean Day on Friday, January 11, 2019. Participants paid $5.00 to wear their jeans on

this one day, joining schools, banks, government offices and companies, to show support for the United Way of Tuscarawas County.

The donations will help support the twenty health and human services programs funded by the United Way of Tuscarawas County. OhioMeansJobs Tuscarawas was proud to support United Way as we work together to make a difference in our community.

Buckeye Career Center Open House

Open HouseAdult Education

Tuesday, February 26th4:30pm - 6:30pm

$50 Application Fee waived when you attend this open house!

Full-time Class OfferingsCosmetologyDental AssistingHeating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, & RefrigerationHeavy Equipment/CDL A Operator

Medical Office & Billing SpecialistOhio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)Utility LineworkerMedical Assisting (Day & Evening)

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Get It From...The Source Page 8

OhioMeansJobsIn Stark County - 822 30th St. NW Canton, Ohio 44709 phone: 330-433-WORK (4675)

In Tuscarawas County - 1260 Monroe, Suite 35, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 phone: 330-364-9777On the Web at: : http://ohiomeansjobs.com/stark and at: http://ohiomeansjobs.com/tuscarawas

February 7Legacy Staffing Recruitment

Stark County 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

February 12Stark County One-Stop Partner Meeting

8:30 a.m.

February 12Career Concept Recruitment

Stark County 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

February 15Tuscarawas County One-Stop Partner Meeting

8:30 a.m.

February 18Closed - President’s Day Holiday

February 19People Ready Recruitment

Stark County 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

February 19Echoing Ridge Recruitment

Stark County 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

February 22Workshop Committee Meeting

Stark County3:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Overheard in a Workshop

Che’Lita Shipman

Attended: How to Use Social Media In Your Job Search

“I now have an understanding of how to use Linkedin, in my

job search.”

Josh Haney

Attended: Discover Your New Job

“Lots of helpful and meaningful information and tools were

given throughout the course.”