Federal Emergency Money Available

HYANNIS - The federal government's Emergency Food and Shelter Program has $154,637 available for Barnstable County nonprofit agencies.

The money will be distributed to agencies capable of providing food and shelter services in the county, according to a press release from the Salvation Army, which manages the local distribution of the money.

Eligible nonprofits must have a 501(c)3 nonprofit rating, an accounting system that includes annual audits, a policy of nondiscrimination and a volunteer board of directors. Agencies interested in applying should contact Major Donna Hansen at 508-775-0364. The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 19.

By: PATRICK CASSIDY
Cape Cod Times
February 4th 2009

Workforce Training Fund WTF 

The state's Workforce Training Fund (WTF) will be accepting applications on March 2nd, 2009. There is a limited amount of funding available so any business that received a grant in the past 5 years can not apply in this round. We have also been told that the program is looking to fund more "hard" skill type training in this round. Anyone interested in the WTF can contact David.

Study Finds Significant Changes in the US Workforce Since 1998

More minorities and women are in top positions at US companies than a decade ago, according to the 2008 National Study of Employers, which was conducted by Harris Interactive for the Families and Work Institute. Other major findings from the survey include:

• Seventy-nine percent of employers allow some employees to adjust their arrival and departure time-an increase of 11 percent since 1998.

•  Thirty-eight percent of organizations with 50 or more employees allow some workers to take sabbaticals (paid or unpaid leaves of at least six months) and return to a comparable job.

• Sixty-five percent of employers offer employee assistance pro­grams (to help workers deal with workplace problems and pres­sures). This is an increase of 9 percent since 1998.

• Forty-seven percent of employers allow at least some of their workers to switch from full-time or part-time work and back again while staying at the same level or position. This is a decrease of 10 percent since 1998.
• Twenty-nine percent of companies offer defined pension plans-a decrease of 19 percent since 1998.

Harris surveyed 1,100 US employers with 50 or more employ­ees to gather the research for the study.

Upcoming Meetings

• CAMP Steering Committee Meeting: Monday February 9th 3:30pm WIB Office
• YC Mentoring Committee Meeting: Tuesday February 10th 1:00pm WIB Office
• WIB Planning Evaluation Committee Meeting: Wednesday February 11th 1:30pm WIB Office
• WIB Executive Committee Meeting: Thursday February 12th 8:00am WIB Office