Podcasts about Texas Workforce Commission

Kristian Jaloway is a partner at John Oberg Advisory and a public speaker who works with mission-driven organizations to leverage their strengths and make them even better leaders in their field. At 18, he entered the Legionaries of Christ seminary in Connecticut, convicted that he should give God the first chance. Over the years, he completed priestly formation: novitiate and humanities in Connecticut, mission work in Caracas, Venezuela, mentoring young men, and five years in Rome, earning degrees in philosophy and theology. At the same time, he served as a seminary formator, assisting primarily in human and apostolic formation for a total of eight years.Finally, although conflicted, Kristian was ordained a Catholic priest in 2008. He served as a priest and Vice-Rector of a minor seminary in Gozzano, Italy, during which he inherited a worldwide crisis in the Legionaries of Christ and an acute crisis in the local area he was charged with. Navigating this successfully taught him lessons on transparency and leadership that he still teaches others. After four years of active priestly ministry, he received the clarity he always lacked and had to make the hardest decision of his life: to leave the priesthood. Kristian spent several years training and managing ramp and safety operations for Delta Air Lines, scratching his itch for travel and aviation. Now, after 30 years leading and developing teams worldwide, Kristianunderstands that each person has incredible potential. He coaches and consults for startups, government, and nonprofits on leadership and human management, including the Houston Fire Department and the Texas Workforce Commission. Kristian helps leaders navigate the things that typically create the most stress: personnel issues, financial questions, and how to create institutional change in a world often at odds with their values.Kristian holds an MA in philosophy and a BA in theology from the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy, and an MA in International Affairs from the Bush School of Public Service at Texas A&M University. He is a private pilot and resides in Austin, TX, with his wife and three boys. They enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle with lots of hiking, camping, and travel. 

Getting a summer job is a rite of passage for young people. Whether it's bagging groceries or washing cars, they love getting paychecks for their work. Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults with a disability don't always get the opportunity to make summer cash. That's why Workforce Solutions Alamo teams up with area businesses to make sure every person who wants to work gets the opportunity to land employment. Through the Texas Workforce Commission's Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program, young people are connected with employers who are willing and able to accommodate their unique needs or challenges. The best part...Article Link

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - When he appeared as a panelist at RioPlex's Texas Port to the Stars FDI Summit in Houston, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., said this is the best time ever to be the leader of his city. Cowen said: “I think we have an extremely strong value proposition. I always tell people it's the greatest time ever to be mayor the city of Brownsville. We have over $40 billion of capital investment projects in our area. And what I'm most proud of is, for example, NextDecade, which is building their $18.4 billion liquefied natural gas plant,  they're hiring 70 percent local talent. SpaceX, they have over 3,200 direct employees. Over 70 percent local talent. That says that we have the human capital needed for companies to be successful in our region.”Cowen gave similar remarks in an interview with Ron Whitlock Reports at Rally in the Valley 4.0, an event held recently at the Brownsville Events Center by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. Asked by veteran broadcaster Ron Whitlock about the state of the Brownsville economy, Cowen said:“I always tell everyone that this. This is the best time ever to be mayor of Brownsville. We've got so much growth happening in Brownsville and outside of Brownsville. I think we've been able to showcase our workforce with with SpaceX and with Bechtel, and NextDecade at the Port (of Brownsville). Each of those huge projects have been able to use over 70 percent local workforce. So I think that shows that we have the skilled workforce needed for large scale industrial projects to be successful.”Cowen said the key thing now is for the city to work with local educational institutions to ensure that the pipeline continues. “I think we're doing a great job of that. And I think, you know, we'll have some more announcements later, more projects that are coming to Brownsville, and we're excited to continue that growth.”Whitlock also interviewed Rafael Vela, executive director of Workforce Solutions Cameron at Rally in the Valley. Vela praised GBIC for hosting the event. He said there needs to be more such events across the region. “There can never be enough of these events. As important as this is, there should be a dozen of these events throughout the Valley. So what we hope to do is expand with our partner, GBIC, and get other communities in the area to do the same thing. Not just in our service area, not just in Cameron County, but really the whole Valley,  because it can be so impactful.”Whitlock agreed. He said every panelist seemed to have a “little nugget of important information” that was disseminated to the 400-plus students present. “One was, don't be afraid to fail. You'll learn more from failure than you do from success. That was just one of the nuggets that was disseminated here today,” Whitlock said.Whitlock also interviewed Joe Esparza, the commissioner representing employers on the Texas Workforce Commission. “We are here at Rally in the Valley because we support initiatives that encourage students to get more involved with internship opportunities. We also support employers with resources on like a cost-sharing program, through our cooperation with the (Texas) Higher Education Coordinating Board,” Esparza said.“It's important because we're developing our next generation of workforce, and exposing students to as many industries as possible. That gives them a better grasp of where they want to be and how they're going to find success.”Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

Gov. Greg Abbott on March 28 celebrated Texas again leading all states for jobs added over the last 12 months based on February 2025 employment data. Texas also broke all previous records for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force. February employment data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission shows: •Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state's history at 15,770,300. •Texas reached a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 15,126,900. •Texas reached a new high for...Article Link

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Anselmo Torres admits he's made some poor choices in life. Torres spent two years in federal prison. The time behind bars motivated Torres to make some changes. Upon release he enrolled in a program offered by Goodwill San Antonio that aims to give incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals opportunities to find meaningful work. People like Torres are now getting additional help. The Texas Workforce Commission received a .6 million Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) Grant. The funding, which comes from the U.S. Department of Labor in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, is being used to...Article Link

Gov. Greg Abbott celebrates 2024 as a year of record-breaking employment in Texas as the state again broke all records for the number of Texans working. November jobs reports show Texas leads the nation for jobs added over the last 12 months. Texas also set new record highs for the number of Texans working and for the size of the Texas labor force, both for the 11th consecutive month. November employment data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Workforce Commission shows: •Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state's...Article Link

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the unrivaled strength of the Texas economy following the release of September employment data showing Texas again outpaced the nation in annual job growth rate with 327,400 nonfarm jobs added over the last 12 months. Texas also set new record highs for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force. September jobs data released by the Texas Workforce Commission shows: •Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state's history at 15,449,900. •Texas reached a new high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 14,819,800....Article Link

In this podcast episode, Carrie and Kate discuss the importance of planning staff events and reviewing calendars to avoid missing key dates. They highlight Amazon Prime Day as an opportunity to purchase their book and workbook at a discount. They share the fun tradition of "Polka Dot Thursday" in Carrie's family and invite listeners to the Texas Workforce Commission's TRS conference. They mention their upcoming Butts in the Seats masterclass and stress the value of staff in-service days and expert-led training sessions. They also talk about their book "From Overwhelmed to I Got This," upcoming training opportunities, and expanding their director credentialing class nationally.Support the Show.Thanks for Listening

In the latest episode of Roses and Weeds, Adriana Rodriguez and co-host Payton Weidman welcome Tyler Fire Chief David Coble to discuss the aftermath of the recent severe storm in the City of Tyler. Chief Coble shares firsthand accounts of the storm's impact, detailing the extensive damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.The conversation shifts to the City's immediate response efforts, highlighting the actions of emergency services in clearing debris and ensuring public safety. Chief Coble provides an in-depth look at the collaboration between local authorities and FEMA, illustrating how federal assistance is being leveraged to expedite recovery.Additional Recovery Resources:Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply online at Unemployment Benefit Services or call Texas Workforce Commission at (800) 939-6631 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The deadline is July 16.Disaster Legal Assistance: Call the Texas State Bar Legal Hotline at (800) 504-7030 Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phones are answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.Crisis Counseling: Call the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at (800) 985-5990; for Spanish, press "2").Roses & Weeds is recorded at the Downtown Visitors Center and is hosted by the City of Tyler's Communication Department. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future show topics, please reach out to us at PublicRelations@TylerTexas.com and be sure to use #rosesandweeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media.

The single-family rental market is booming! This week, Broker and Master Property Manager Mike Mengden discussed proper landlord policies, tenant screening, and much more!    Forms in the TR Forms Library or in Zipforms.    Blank Form Downloads – Texas REALTORS® (texasrealestate.com)   Tenant Selection Criteria is not in the form library.  It's under Legal & Ethics, Resources, Manuals and Guides, Model Tenant-Selection Criteria Form.    Manuals and Guides – Texas REALTORS® (texasrealestate.com)  Word doc.   TR Webinar from April 4, provided by Texas Workforce Commission 90 min (about 50 min plus Q&A). All About Assistance Animals – Texas REALTORS® (texasrealestate.com)       TR Webinar from 2020 60 min (42 min plus Q&A)- Service and Support Animals: What Property Managers Need to Know (youtube.com)   HAR Property Management Webinar Series – sign up here:             Property Management - HUD Guidelines for Assistance Animals: Learn to Manage Pet and Animal Risk - HAR.com     Sign up for Free Industry News Subscriptions for HAR Members here-  https://www.harconnect.com/free-industry-news-subscriptions-for-har-members/   Are you an HAR MLS Platinum Subscriber? Join our Facebook Group! Click to join. Sign Up for your free Real Estate News Subscription here. Sign up for your free Inman Select Subscription here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube , and LinkedIn.

MCALLEN, Texas - Two of the three leaders of the Texas Workforce Commission attended South Texas College's 2024 Workforce Summit.They were Joe Esparza, who serves as the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board, and Alberto Treviño III, who serves as the commissioner representing labor on the board.The two workforce development experts spoke on a panel titled: Microcredentials, Credentials of Value, Industry-Recognized Credentials and What They Mean for Employability and Living Wages. The moderator was Lone Star National Bank Executive Vice President Julian Alvarez, himself a former TWC commissioner.After the panel discussion had ended one question was taken from the audience. It came from Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez but it was more of a statement. Cortez said he wished the local workforce commissions had more leeway in how they were allowed to spend their money. He said the Rio Grande Valley is unique and as a result, the local workforce groups should have more discretion on what can do with the funds sent down by the state.Here are the biographies of the two commissioners that spoke:Alberto Treviño IIIAlberto Treviño III serves as the Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the three-member Commission on January 9, 2023.  Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Treviño of Harlingen served as a retired U.S. Border Patrol agent. Treviño has nearly 33 years of combined law enforcement and border patrol experience, with 21 years of service to Local 3307 of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), where he served as executive vice president, and later, as treasurer.Prior to NBPC, Commissioner Treviño served as a police instructor, background investigator, and patrol officer for the Harlingen Police Department. He is a 3rd degree knight of the Knights of Columbus, former member of the City of Harlingen Tennis Advisory Board, and former volunteer for Little League Baseball. Treviño received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas Southmost College.Joe Esparza Joe Esparza currently serves as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Abbott appointed him to the three-member commission on November 7, 2023.In his role, Commissioner Esparza serves as an advocate for over 660,000 Texas employers and over 3 million small businesses. He and his team serve as a key resource for all Texas employers to help businesses grow and thrive in Texas.Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Esparza was sworn in as Texas Deputy Secretary of State on December 14, 2018. In addition, Esparza previously served as a Senior Appointments Manager in the office of the Governor, overseeing numerous gubernatorial appointments during Governor Abbott's first term. A graduate of Texas Tech University, Esparza earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications. Esparza received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps and is a Veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, having served in Iraq.South Texas College's 2024 Workforce Summit was held in the Student Union Building of STC's Pecan Campus in McAllen.Here is an audio recording of everything the two workforce commissioners said on the panel.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

HARLINGEN, Texas - The two official workforce boards in the Rio Grande Valley have been awarded almost $2 million to improve the development of the region's talent pipeline to high-quality jobs. The two groups are Workforce Solutions Lower Rio (WSLR) and Workforce Solutions Cameron (WSC). The former looks after workforce development in Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. They have received a $1,991,745 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, with monies becoming available thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.Only two such grants were awarded in the State of Texas.The Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs grant will support public-private partnerships that provide worker-centered training programs. The  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to collaboratively build a better America.A news conference was held at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Harlingen on Dec. 15 to announce the grant. Among the speakers were Alberto Treviño, the labor representative on the Texas Workforce Commission, Cledia Hernandez, vice chancellor and chief external relations office for TSTC, Francisco Almaraz, executive director of WSLR, and Pat Hobbs, executive director of WSC.According to Almaraz and Hobbs, the program is designed to create career pathways to high-quality jobs in the renewable energy, transportation, and broadband infrastructure sectors while prioritizing the delivery of training and supportive services to those from rural and underrepresented communities. “The ultimate goal is to help job seekers take on high-demand, high-quality career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, information technology, and technical service occupations, “Almaraz said. “This will create a clear path to obtaining good-paying infrastructure jobs that will help our communities thrive in the long run.” Almaraz said the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs grant will complement the local workforce boards' ongoing efforts to meet the Valley's infrastructure workforce needs. He said this includes aligning registered apprenticeships and workforce programs at community colleges and supporting state and local partnerships that seek to leverage workforce funding to provide high-quality training and supportive services. In his remarks, Hobbs stressed the importance of unity in the Valley - something Hernandez also did - and, as he has done in the past, decried the underfunding and under appreciation of training for trade skills."The Valley's two workforce boards are collaborating regionally to prepare locals for upcoming high-paying jobs. These jobs include the construction and operation of new LNG terminals at the Port of Brownsville, Space X operations at Boca Chica, clean hydrogen production facilities, and other upcoming technologies. This grant will aid in developing the necessary training and education pathways,” Hobbs said. Hobbs said the main goal of the two workforce boards is to respond to local employers and workers' needs through locally designed, demand-driven workforce development initiatives. Editor's Note: Here is an audio recording of highlights from the press conference.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

MISSION, Texas - Julian Alvarez may have left the Texas Workforce Commission a year ago to go into the private sector but he is still in great demand for all things workforce related.The senior vice president for Lone Star National Bank not only still gives talks about workforce training, he also helps facilitate key meetings.For example, he is currently helping Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies (VGI) secure a unique articulation agreement with South Texas College.“Our discussion (with Anabell Cardona, president of and CEO of VGI) was, how do I get a student that's going to a career school to actually receive college credit at a local community college? Nobody's doing that, at least not that I know of,” said Alvarez, in an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.“An agreement between two colleges, where one would say, here's a student who graduated as an LVN, a PCT walk next door, and meet with a counselor from South Texas College and say I was informed that my course load here, six hours, nine hours or whatever, articulates into college credit at your school.”Alvarez was quick to point out, there's no guarantee that such an articulation agreement would afford the VGI student direct entry to STC. “But what a great thing to do to make school affordable,” he said.Alvarez said the idea for such an articulation agreement came up whilst he was still labor's representative for the Texas Workforce Commission. However, he said, the discussions have continued since he has left the agency.“Now that I'm in the private sector, our goal has always been to make sure that people can make a living wages, that they can be self-sustaining. And those people become depositors and they open up their own business,” Alvarez said.“So, it's just these ideas that people continue to ask me. How would you do this?”Alvarez offered another example of negotiations he is currently involved in related to workforce development. “I won't disclose what school it is, but we're looking at taking an elementary school that's abandoned in a county and we're looking at bringing in six school districts and doing the (workforce) training there because the school districts can't afford the infrastructure for a building for equipment,” Alvarez said.“So think about it. If you bring in six schools into one location, where you're converting a vacant building into a training facility, like they have in Corpus with the Craft Learning Center, that's what we're looking at doing down here (in the Valley). So those are conversations we're having with six various superintendents in the Valley. It's because of my experience and it's because of things that we've done in other parts of the state.”To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

MISSION, Texas - Aaron S. Demerson, the recently appointed president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, says he loves visiting the Rio Grande Valley because he gets to experience the can-do attitude of its people.Austin-based Demerson was in the Valley recently. Asked what the region's best assets are and why investors should take a look, he  said:“The best food America. No, no, aside from that I leave at least five pounds heavier all the time. I joke about that. But, the people. The people are pretty phenomenal,” Demerson said.“I hold that if they see it, touch it, feel it, they (potential investors) will be impressed as well. And then, the can-do attitude, the innovation, the willingness to get down there to make a difference is extremely important and its exist here in this community.“And so I'm always excited to get down here to see what's new. See what's happening from the standpoint of… the energy that's here is pretty phenomenal and it is just an opportunity for us to take additional levels.”The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service interviewed Demerson, the former business representative on the Texas Workforce Commission, at Mission Economic Development Corporation's Center for Education and Economic Development. He was at the CEED building for both a meeting with the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) and to speak at a ribbon cutting ceremony for an outreach center that Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies was opening.Asked what the purpose of the Texas Economic Development Corporation was, Demerson said: “We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization set up, really, to showcase and market Texas both domestically and internationally. We're trying to showcase the best of what Texas has to offer so that if a company is looking at expanding to another state, we want them to expand here in Texas. Even international companies that are looking at other states to expand their operations, we want them to come to the state of Texas.”Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

For the 30th consecutive month Texas showed job growth, reaching just under 14 million jobs and outpacing the nation in its annual rate of employment growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. “Our world-class Texas workforce has grown by more than 400,000 jobs over the last year, thanks largely to the energizing job creation by our private-sector employers,” said TWC commissioner Aaron Demerson. “This continued growth highlights TWC's unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and building partnerships with Texas employers across the state.” At the same time, the state's unemployment rate is tied for fifth-worst in the country at 4.1 percent,...Article Link

In this episode, we're delighted to be in conversation with Laura Villarreal, the Neurodevelopmental Program Specialist with the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Laura shines a light on the web of services and supports that the Texas Workforce Commission offers for teens and young adults in foster care to help expand their access to economic opportunities and supportive mentoring relationships with a goal of establishing life-giving stability as they transition to young adulthood. Support the show

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) hosted their second annual Rally in the Valley Conference.The networking event, held at the Brownsville Events Center, connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated, including Aaron Demerson, the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board.Brownsville Mayor and GBIC Chairman of the Board John Cowen, Jr., said the dynamic networking event aimed to connect local high school students with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. He said students attending will gain invaluable insights into potential career paths, engage with industry experts, and could even secure an internship with one of Brownsville's leading employers.“With the annual Rally in the Valley 2.0, GBIC emphasizes the importance of interactions between local students and industry leaders,” Cowen said. “Such engagements not only enlighten students about internship opportunities, but they also help them recognize and articulate their professional interests.”Bret Gardella, CEO and executive director of GBIC, was just as enthusiastic about the event.“This event, encapsulates our commitment to fostering the future of Brownsville,” said Bret Gardella, CEO and Executive Director of the GBIC. “We recognize the unmatched potential of Brownsville students. These young individuals are not just the future of our community, but also the key drivers of innovation and growth for the entire region.”One of the panelists was Emily Galvan, a senior at Porter Early College High School who is taking dual enrollment courses at Texas Southmost College. In her junior year, Galvan was given the opportunity to attend a paid internship at Tipton Ford Motors via Workforce Solutions for ten weeks. During her internship she was offered a position at Diesel Technology as a helper in the service department. Galvan recommended other students to take an internship. The panel discussion was titled: Bridging the Workforce Gap Between Industry and Education.Here is an audio recording of everything Galvan said during the panel discussion. GBIC's Gardella was the panel moderator.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) hosted their second annual Rally in the Valley Conference.The networking event, held at the Brownsville Events Center, connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated, including Aaron Demerson, the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board.Brownsville Mayor and GBIC Chairman of the Board John Cowen, Jr., said the dynamic networking event aimed to connect local high school students with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. He said students attending will gain invaluable insights into potential career paths, engage with industry experts, and could even secure an internship with one of Brownsville's leading employers.“With the annual Rally in the Valley 2.0, GBIC emphasizes the importance of interactions between local students and industry leaders,” Cowen said. “Such engagements not only enlighten students about internship opportunities, but they also help them recognize and articulate their professional interests.”Bret Gardella, CEO and executive director of GBIC, was just as enthusiastic about the event.“This event, encapsulates our commitment to fostering the future of Brownsville,” said Bret Gardella, CEO and Executive Director of the GBIC. “We recognize the unmatched potential of Brownsville students. These young individuals are not just the future of our community, but also the key drivers of innovation and growth for the entire region.”One of the panelists was Mark Hodgson, regional general manager for SA Recycling. His company operates out of the Port of Brownsville, recycling old ships.When the students in the room were asked if they knew that the Port of Brownsville was the recycling capital of the United States for the disposal of ships, only a few hands went up. This startled Hodgson.“So, a challenge has been brought to me by sitting on the panel today. We have to do better as an industry in our community of creating awareness to the workforce of the future. The fact that we had seven hands raised that knew that we were the recycling capital of the United States for the ship disposal program was eye opening to me,” Hodgson said.“And I think not only in that aspect, but all the different trades within our operation and the operations in the port in this region, I think we need to do a lot better job as industry highlighting the opportunities, the high paying jobs, the education that we have here, in order to bolster our workforce of the future, to keep our workforce here and let them know and understand that there are great job opportunities with job growth opportunities within it.”The panel discussion was titled: Bridging the Workforce Gap Between Industry and Education.Here is an audio recording of everything Hodgson said during the panel discussion. GBIC's Gardella was the panel moderator.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) hosted their second annual Rally in the Valley Conference.The networking event, held at the Brownsville Events Center, connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated, including Aaron Demerson, the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board.Brownsville Mayor and GBIC Chairman of the Board John Cowen, Jr., said the dynamic networking event aimed to connect local high school students with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. He said students attending will gain invaluable insights into potential career paths, engage with industry experts, and could even secure an internship with one of Brownsville's leading employers.“With the annual Rally in the Valley 2.0, GBIC emphasizes the importance of interactions between local students and industry leaders,” Cowen said. “Such engagements not only enlighten students about internship opportunities, but they also help them recognize and articulate their professional interests.”Bret Gardella, CEO and executive director of GBIC, was just as enthusiastic about the event.“This event, encapsulates our commitment to fostering the future of Brownsville,” said Bret Gardella, CEO and Executive Director of the GBIC. “We recognize the unmatched potential of Brownsville students. These young individuals are not just the future of our community, but also the key drivers of innovation and growth for the entire region.”One of the panelists was Griselda Muñoz, senior HR manager at Creative Liquid Coatings. In her remarks, Muñoz told the students just how important internships can be.“As you stand on the threshold of the professional world, remember that internships and the early stages of your career are much like the foundation of a building. They might not always be visible, but they provide essential support upon which your entire career was done.”The panel discussion was titled: Bridging the Workforce Gap Between Industry and Education.Here is an audio recording of everything Muñoz said during the panel discussion. GBIC's Gardella was the panel moderator.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Bret Gardella, the new executive director and CEO of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, was fulsome in his praise of his colleague, Karla De La Riva, for organizing the 2023 Rally in the Valley Conference.The networking event, held at the Brownsville Events Center, connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated, including Aaron Emerson, the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board.“I'm really grateful for Karla, who has put this together and I'm going to ask you all to not just give her a round of applause but I want to see a standing ovation for Karla De La Riva for putting this together for you guys,” Gardella told the packed ballroom. The students obliged. They stood up and gave De La Riva an ovation.Gardella continued: “I'm going be very sincere when I tell you, when you think about workforce development you're going to think about Karla De La Riva as you move forward. Not just here in Brownsville but in the state of Texas. She is an amazing woman.”Aiming his remarks at the students, Gardella said: “If you're thinking about a career, and if you need a mentor, you call our office you ask for her. And she will take the time to have that conversation with you and do everything she can to help you. And what she can't help you with, she will engage you with one of our local employers who can.”Gardella added: “So that is a pledge for me to you, and I hope you take advantage of it.”Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) hosted their second annual Rally in the Valley Conference.The networking event, held at the Brownsville Events Center, connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated, including Aaron Emerson, the commissioner representing employers on the TWC board.Brownsville Mayor and GBIC Chairman of the Board John Cowen, Jr., said the dynamic networking event aimed to connect local high school students with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. He said students attending will gain invaluable insights into potential career paths, engage with industry experts, and could even secure an internship with one of Brownsville's leading employers.“With the annual Rally in the Valley 2.0, GBIC emphasizes the importance of interactions between local students and industry leaders,” Cowen said. “Such engagements not only enlighten students about internship opportunities, but they also help them recognize and articulate their professional interests.”Bret Gardella, CEO and executive director of GBIC, was just as enthusiastic about the event.“This event, encapsulates our commitment to fostering the future of Brownsville,” said Bret Gardella, CEO and Executive Director of the GBIC. “We recognize the unmatched potential of Brownsville students. These young individuals are not just the future of our community, but also the key drivers of innovation and growth for the entire region.”One of the panelists was Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development at UT-Rio Grande Valley.Here is an audio recording of everything Garza said during the panel discussion. GBIC's Gardella was the panel moderator.Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation hosted their 2nd Annual Rally in the Valley.The networking event connected high school students from Brownsville ISD with prominent industry partners offering student internship opportunities. The Texas Workforce Commission participated. Rally in the Valley was held at the Brownsville Events Center. One of the panelists was Stella Garcia, vice president of institutional advancement and chief of staff at Texas Southmost College.Here is an audio recording of everything Garcia said during the panel discussion. Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

Workforce Solutions Alamo reports the July 2023 unadjusted unemployment rate for Wilson County is 3.7 percent, higher than the 3.3 percent reported in June, according to the reports released by the Texas Workforce Commission. Wilson County's July rate is lower than the 4.2 percent unemployment rate for the 13-county Workforce Development Area, including Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson counties, and lower than the 4.5 percent unemployment rate for the state of Texas. Currently, there are 996 people actively looking and available for work. Wilson County ranked third lowest in the 13-county...Article Link

Ever wondered how AI can turbocharge your hiring process? Are you curious to know how a deep understanding of individual skills can revolutionize recruitment? Then buckle up, as Adam Wray from AstrumU joins us for a riveting conversation, shedding light on the potential of an AI data platform in skill-based hiring. He delves into how this technology identifies and measures skills. Moreover, he emphasizes its potential to bridge the gap between industry, education, and individuals - creating a clearer path for job seekers, employers, and educators alike.As we journey through this discussion with Adam, we explore the value of non-traditional degrees and how they aid in nurturing critical thinking skills. We're breaking down biases and challenging the status quo. It's about appreciating the lifelong value of critical thinking, and how AI can quantify it. We also discuss the shelf life of skills and the importance of understanding an individual's unique skill set. Notably, Adam shares how AstrumU uses AI to assess and map these skills to suitable roles, aiding job seekers in making informed career decisions.In the final leg of our chat, we take a deeper look at AI's role in identifying individual skills and how this can shape recommendations for learning or work. Here's a thought - what if we could use philanthropic dollars to fund training companies connected to HRIS systems, reducing the cost of upskilling individuals? We ponder this innovative idea, and discuss the potential benefits for organizations like the Texas Workforce Commission in understanding how military skills translate to the corporate world. So, join us for this enlightening conversation and get ready to rethink hiring, education, and skill development through the lens of AI.Listen & Subscribe on your favorite platformApple | Spotify | Google | Amazon

WESLACO, TEXAS - Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is one of 25 organizations nationwide and the only one in Texas to be awarded a U.S. Department of Labor's $3 Million Nursing Expansion Grant.The grant will be used to develop professional pathways to nursing.On July 27, a check presentation ceremony was held by VIDA at the Knapp Medical Conference Center in Weslaco. In addition to VIDA leaders the event was attended by stakeholders and partners involved in the initiative. “This event served as a platform to highlight the positive impact we have collectively made in our community through our collaboration and shared vision of providing our Rio Grande Valley with a highly skilled and highly educated workforce,” VIDA President and CEO Felida Villarreal told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.The audio story below features the analysis and observations of Villarreal, Ana Garcia, the South Texas district director for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, state Sens. Juan Hinojosa and Morgan LaMantia, Julian Alvarez, a senior vice president for Lone Star National Bank, and Edward Serna, executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission. To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

Ever wonder who should be the custodian of mental health records and how they should be accessed? Thinking about a professional will? Like to know more about employment laws? Join me as we unravel these complexities with attorney and LPC supervisor Laurel Clement. We dig into the legalities of record custodianship, discuss the peculiar challenges faced by LPCs in the school system, and underscore the importance of legal compliance. What's the difference between a 1099 and a W2 employee and why should you care? This episode takes a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of these employment classifications, where Laurel Clement enlightens us on the Texas Workforce Commission's guide to identifying the right worker type and the repercussions of mischaracterizing your employees. Plus, we'll touch on the differences between an LLC and a PLLC, and the essential insurance considerations for therapists.Lastly, we champion the power of collaboration among mental health professionals. We explore the concept of "massive masterminds," where a group of like-minded professionals can propel each other towards growth and accountability. And remember, by liking, sharing, and subscribing to our podcast, you're helping to spread invaluable knowledge that supports us all in our counseling careers. Don't miss out on this exciting conversation packed with insights to help you build a successful and secure career in counseling.Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

In today's Appraisal Buzz episode, host Hal Humphreys talks with Bryan Snoddy, Director of the Civil Rights Division at Texas Workforce Commission. What led Snoddy to the position he holds today? What does it mean to increase diversity in the appraisal industry? And how do we have those conversations?At The Appraisal Buzzcast, we host weekly episodes with leaders and experts in the appraisal industry about current events and relevant topics in our field. Subscribe and turn on notifications to catch our episode premieres every Wednesday!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the complexities of hiring employees for your private practice? Fear no more, as I break down the critical differences between W-2 and 1099 employment, and guide you through the process of classifying your team members correctly to avoid any licensing board or IRS troubles. I share a cautionary tale of someone who faced an audit by the Texas Workforce Commission due to misclassification and provide you with actionable steps and resources to make informed decisions when hiring.Don't miss this in-depth analysis of the IRS' 20-factor test, which will help you determine the correct classification for your employees. I discuss various factors such as the level of instruction, company-provided training, degrees of business integration, extent of personal services, level of control, continuity of relationship, flexibility of schedule, demands for full-time work, need for on-site services, and sequence of work. Say goodbye to hiring nightmares and confidently grow your practice with these expert insights!Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.

In episode 91, Coffey talks with Bill Langley about employers' support of employee financial wellness.They discuss what "employee financial wellness" means to employees and employers; the definition of financial capability; how financial matters affect employees' mental health and the workplace; how leaders can identify signs of financial stress; the evolution of financial health post-pandemic; how leaders can guarantee employees receive the financial education and resources they need; the pros and cons of same-day pay; and the key topics of a financial wellness training program.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com. About our Guest:Bill Langley is Founder and Principal of QAR Financial, a national consulting firm which provides business turnaround support and employee financial wellness training for employers. Through corporate and non-profit collaborations, Bill facilitates emergency voluntary benefit loans with a social mission for employees. A career certified credit professional and accredited financial wellness educator, Bill's expertise focuses on financial capability and sustainability.Bill is a frequent CEU/PDH approved speaker for employers, government agencies and professional associations. He has also provided legislative testimony regarding the debt management and payday lending industry while receiving recognition from agencies within the Texas Workforce Commission, US Small Business Administration and NAACP. Previous notable conference speaking engagements, include Texas Total Rewards Conference, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, International Concrete Saw and Drillers Association. Bill serves as a past chapter president for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), He has also actively served in various board capacities at the chapter level for the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA), a member of WorldatWork, National Wellness Institute as well as other professional service organizations. Bill has served on the Advisory Committee for the Employer-Based Financial Wellness national research project led by the Brown School Center for Social Development at Washington University in St Louis and lead advisor for the United Way Metro Dallas Financial Wellness at Work initiative. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.Bill Langley can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/blangley/https://www.QARFinancial.comAbout Mike Coffey:Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year. Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association. Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.Learning Objectives:1. Define financial wellness, and its effects on mental health and productivity.2. Identify signs of financial stress and how leaders can provide personal finance education and resources.3. Implement the key elements of a successful financial wellness training program.

In this special episode of Gone To Texas, Super Dave Quinn is joined by powerhouse guests live from this year's Economic Summit and Leadership Conference hosted by Marshall, TX. Dave talks to Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO, The Perryman Group, Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the Texas Economic Development Council, Aaron Demerson, Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission, and Rich Froeschle, Senior Economist at the Texas State Technical College System at Texas State Technical College. They discuss why the current global economy can have a huge impact on economies at a local level, and why it's important for small business owners to keep up-to-date on all of it. They also talk about the state of Texas' current economic status, and why businesses continue to flock here at record levels.They also discuss why the entire ecosystem is so important, from local high schools and colleges, to Chamber of Commerces and Economic Development Corporations, and why it's crucial that all of them work together to continue to develop businesses and a workforce that can support a thriving economy. Plus, they discuss what has worked well so far, and where business owners, who are interested in relocating to Texas, should start in their search for finding the right home. It can be an overwhelming process, but the great news is, that it's set up where you can easily find the help you need by connecting with the right resource.Thank you to Marshall Economic Development Corporation for sponsoring this podcast. To learn more, visit: https://www.gonetotexaspodcast.com/sponsors/.qBY8mzn09SdBRJyzpwH7

Free CEUs! Listen in for this special offer! Listen in as Larry talks to the STT Crew about his journey into sleep, his passion for education, and his gift to us all. Larry Brewer began his journey into sleep in the summer of 2002. Larry has always had a passion for learning and educating people in sleep technology. He learned as much as he could about sleep medicine and sleep technology and would pass this on to others. After starting as a sleep technology trainee, he eventually started his own sleep center, Alliance Sleep Centers. Since then, Larry has started First Sleep School, a BRPT approved STAR course, and approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.  Listen in as Larry talks to the STT Crew about his journey into sleep, his passion for education, and his gift to us all. First Sleep School's online programs had over 5000 new users last year in 2022 and they completed over 100,000 lessons! Larry's gift to viewers and listeners of SleepTech Talk is FREE CEUs! This is huge value for all of us. Use the following coupon code on the website that will give a 100% discount to their Adult & Pediatric Scoring Course. You can use for development or 4.5 free CSTEs.  The coupon code is TECHTALK https://www.firstsleepschool.com/scoring-adult-pediatric-bundle-info/ Credits: Audio/Video: Diego R Mann Music: Pierce G Mann

The state has set a record for the number of employed people for 14 consecutive months, according to new data from the Texas Workforce Commission.

In episode 78, Coffey talks with Matt Abel & Tommy Simmons about the 88th Texas Legislature's possible impact on employers in Texas. They discuss the Texas Legislature's calendar and the process of creating new laws; the Texas Association of Business' role as the chief advocate for Texas businesses before the legislature; Tommy's essential bill-tracking file and the role of the office of Aaron Demerson, the Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers; the importance that employers be involved directly in advocating for a strong business environment in Texas; trends in proposed legislation including LGBT workplace rights, pay equity, prohibitions on inquiring into applicants' previous salary, and preemption of local ordinances interfering in the employer-employee relationship; unemployment compensation chargeback appeals related to Covid; and TAB's employment-related legislative priorities.Resources mentioned during this podcast:Texas Legislature Online (bill searches and status): https://capitol.texas.gov Identify who represents you in the Texas Legislature: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/homeTexas Guidebook for Employers; Especially for Texas Employers: https://efte.twc.texas.gov Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com. About our Guest:William T. (Tommy) Simmons serves as legal counsel for Commissioner Aaron S. Demerson, the employer representative on the Texas Workforce Commission, where he advises the Commissioner on final-level unemployment and wage claim appeals, assists business groups with employment-related legislation, and counsels employers on Texas and federal employment laws. Mr. Simmons has served as legal advisor to the Commissioner representing employers since 1987 and has given over 2400 talks before employer groups. He authored the TWC book Especially for Texas Employers, is the assistant editor of the Employment Law Handbook of the Texas Association of Business, and produces mobile and web apps for employers. Recent awards from employer groups include the Texas Payroll Conference (Spirit of TPC - 2004, and Government Partner Award - 2008), the Texas Association of Business (Lifetime Friend of Employers Award - 2012), and in 2018, the National Foundation for Unemployment Compensation and Workers' Compensation - UWC recognized Mr. Simmons with its J. Eldred Hill, Jr. Award for service to the employer community in the public policy arena.Tommy Simmons can be reached at tommy.simmons@twc.state.tx.us or (512) 463-2967.Matt Abel is the Vice President for Policy at the Texas Association of Business (TAB), Texas' state chamber of commerce.  He serves as the primary staff member for health care and employment relations issues at TAB. Prior to his current position, he was the Chief of Staff for Texas State Representative John Frullo.  He has extensive experience of the legislative and regulatory process.  Matt can be reached at mabel@txbiz.org or (512) 656-4458. The Texas Association of Business can be found at https://txbiz.org. About Mike Coffey:Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year. Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association. Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.Learning Objectives:  Understand the process of creating new laws in Texas. Utilize key resources to identify and track bills relevant to Texas businesses. Recognize key employment-related issues before the Texas legislature.

In this episode we discuss the oil market and what the resurgence of drilling activity means for the sector here in Houston. We also look at the latest metro Houston job figures from the Texas Workforce Commission and why they seem just too good to be true.  We're joined once again by Partnership Senior Vice President of Research Patrick Jankowski. Bayou Business Download is presented by Fifth Third Bank.      

Hiring Red White and You (HRWY), is happening in November. Instead of a one day appearance in different locations across the state, multiple hiring events may be happening in your area, check with the Texas Workforce Commission website to find out where yours is. It is easy to join any VIRTUAL HRWY in Texas. You must register for those. https://www.twc.texas.gov/hiring-red-white-you. Some areas are still offering Preparation Workshops into November. Check the Texas Veterans Commission Events Calendar. Hiring Red White and You invites veterans, transitioning services members and spouses to meet employers with job openings who are ready to hire. Nov 1 - 18, 2022.

Hiring Red White and You! (HRWY) is the biggest statewide hiring event of the year, taking place November 1-18 in venues all over Texas. Virtual and in person. Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses are invited. Which ones will you attend? Texas Workforce Commission has listed them all. Dates, times and places along with contact information. Find your HRWY here. You may also attend a preparation workshop or two before the event. Search the calendar here, find the workshops you want, then register! Listen to find out how this hiring event can be a career gamechanger!

South Texas College recently held its Fall 2022 Professional & Organizational Development Day at the McAllen Convention Center. The event was attended by hundreds of STC faculty, staff and workers.The attached podcasts includes some of the remarks made at the event by Ricardo Solis, president of STC, and Julian Alvarez, labor representative on the Texas Workforce Commission.

In this episode, we sit with Courtney Arbour, Director of the Texas Workforce Commission's Workforce Development Division where she oversees an integrated workforce development system that provides employment and training activities for the state of Texas. Courtney gives us a glimpse into her everyday life promoting new long-lasting careers for Texans and the utilization of advanced technologies leading to the development of new technical skills across the state.

MCALLEN, Texas - The Texas Workforce Commission is holding its first ever conference south of San Antonio.The two-day 6th Annual Apprenticeship Texas Conference wraps up Sept. 23 at the McAllen Convention Center. For the last five years the conference has been held at the River Walk in San Antonio.In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez says he and his board are delighted to have chosen to hold the event in the Valley. He said the turnout on day one has been huge, along with the enthusiasm of the participants.Alvarez said the discussions at the conference will be taken back to Washington, D.C. A Department of Labor representative attended the event, Alvarez pointed out. “This is a huge deal. You can see people are hungry for information,” Alvarez said. Alvarez is a national Apprenticeship Ambassador. The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative, run by the U.S. Department of Labor, seeks to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority serving organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship.

Brittany Traylor and Joe Lynch discuss the TraylorTranspo story. Brittany is the CEO of TraylorTranspo LLC, an asset light brokerage that specializes in power-only moves, which typically means the carrier provides the tractor and the shipper provides the trailer. About Brittany Traylor Brittany Traylor is the Founder and CEO of TraylorTranspo, an asset-based freight brokerage that streamlines the logistics function and delivers a superior customer experience using consumer-grade freight tech (Turvo). Prior to launching her own company in 2021, Brittany was an owner-operator for over 5 years. During that time, Brittany drove dry van, flat bed, and over-dimensional loads all over the lower 48 states. As a driver, she gained first-hand insights into the challenges facing both truck drivers and shippers. When she founded her own company, Brittany committed to building a better brokerage, with a real connection to both drivers and shippers. Brittany was raised in the foster care system in Germany and moved to the USA as an adult so her success hasn't come easily. With the goal of paying it forward, Traylor Transpo partners with the Texas Workforce Commission to help people get their start in logistics and supply chain. About TraylorTranspo  TraylorTranspo is an asset-based freight brokerage based in Dallas, Texas. Traylor was founded by an owner-operator, Brittany Traylor who wanted to create a tech-centric brokerage that puts people first – so employees, drivers, carriers, and shippers are all family at Traylor. The company specializes in drop and hook shipments (power-only) and open-deck transportation. The company also moves a lot of scrap, which is a notoriously difficult type of freight to haul. Traylor's technology streamlines the shipping process, reduces cost, and facilitates collaboration. TraylorTranspo also has a social mission of helping people typically under-represented in logistics - get their start. About Turvo Turvo is the world's first multi-enterprise collaborative platform specifically designed for the global supply chain. The Turvo platform connects people and organizations across the supply chain, allowing shippers, logistics providers, and carriers to digitally transform their workflows with cloud-based software and mobile applications. The technology unifies all systems, internal and external, providing one end-to-end system of record set for all operations and analytics while eliminating redundant manual tasks and automating business processes. Turvo is based in the San Francisco Bay Area with offices in Dallas, Texas, and Hyderabad, India. Key Takeaways: The TraylorTranspo Story Brittany Traylor is the Founder and CEO of TraylorTranspo, an asset light brokerage that specializes in power-only moves, which typically means the carrier provides the tractor and the shipper provides the trailer. In the podcast interview, Joe and Brittany discuss Brittany's difficult childhood, moving to America as a young adult, and the founding of TraylorTranspo. Power only trucking is a full truckload move that occurs when a carrier provides only a driver and a tractor or “power unit.” With power only moves, the driver does not bring a trailer, but instead hooks up to and hauls a trailer that is either leased or owned by a 3PL or shipper. Drop and hook shipments became more popular after the hours of service (HOS) and electronic logging device (ELD) mandate took effect in 2019. With drop and hook shipments, drivers are able to spend more time driving because they are not involved in live loads / uploads. Drivers simply drop the trailer and the shipper unloads the trailer when they have time. For pickups, drivers hook up the trailer and get back to driving. Because of her difficult upbringing, Brittany makes a point of giving people an opportunity to succeed. TraylorTranspo works closely with the Texas Work Force Commission to hire and train people who often are not given a chance – this has lead to a very loyal team and family-like culture at the company. Traylor is a small, but fast growing brokerage that is uses freight tech (Turvo) to streamline the shipping process, reduce costs per load, and deliver a superior customer experience for both carriers and shippers. Learn More About The TraylorTranspo Story Brittany's LinkedIn TraylorTranspo LinkedIn TraylorTranspo Turvo's LinkedIn Turvo Turvo Academy Makes Supply Chain Collaboration Easier Than Ever The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In episode 56, Coffey talks with Richard Froeschle about unraveling the workforce and economic market trends in Texas.They discuss the "COVID-based recession" affecting the Texas economy; its correlation to inflation and the labor market; the effect of stimulus spending on the labor force participation; how the born-digital generation defines "work" and their new expectations; the Texas labor shortage outlook; what "capacity" means in terms of economy; how economists try to identify skills that meet the evolving labor market; the effect of inflation in current wages; the reasons why people are leaving jobs beyond compensation; and what can we expect from remote and flexible work environments in the future.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—premium background checks with fast and friendly service. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com. About our Guest:Mr. Froeschle is a labor market economist and a highly regarded speaker on a wide array of topics relating to the Texas economy, regional labor markets, and workforce and education programs. He is the Senior Labor Market Economist for Texas State Technical College and the former Director of the Labor Market and Career Information department of the Texas Workforce Commission. Prior to his work with Texas State government, Mr. Froeschle conducted in-service training with the National Labor Market Information Training Institute at the University of North Texas in the areas of strategic planning and regional economic analysis for state and federal employment and training programs. Mr. Froeschle has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in Manpower and Industrial Relations from the University of North Texas, where he also taught microeconomics, regional labor market analysis, and workforce strategic planning. His writings include the books How Many is Enough? A Practitioners Guide to Occupational Targeting and Supply/Demand Analysis (forthcoming), Where the Jobs Are, Working Texas Style, An Atmosphere of Enterprise, and a dozen monographs including Life After COVID: Economic & Job Market Phenomena to Ponder Postpandemic, Targeting Your Labor Market, Getting Down to Business, and The Texas Economy: An Age of Global Economic Opportunity. His many essays and briefs are focused on the application of labor market and career information in education policy, workforce planning and economic development. His most recent research has centered on the use of skills to understand regional labor market dynamics and career progression and includes three reports, The Future is Ahead of You: Navigating Your Way to Career Success, Everyone Starts Somewhere: Career Pathways in the Heart of Texas, and On the Move! Exploring the Concepts of Career Progressions and Career Lattices for Central Texas Workers. Mr. Froeschle has made presentations at over 540 conference events over the past twenty-five years on a variety of labor market topics. His professional specialties and interests are in the fields of regional economic analysis, labor market dynamics, skill and job analysis, and the development and interpretation of labor market information; all of which have occupied his career for the past 41 yearsRichard Froeschle can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-froeschle-01a87b13/ About Mike Coffey:Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year. Additionally, Imperative is included in the prestigious Best Places to Work in Texas list and has been named the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year.Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the COVID-based recession and its effect on the labor market.2.  Identify the impact of migration on Texas economy and workforce.3. Learn what new generations expect and look for in a job.

The body found at Mount Bonnell on Saturday while a fallen pedestrian was being rescued has been identified as 21 year old Prabin Gharti. A dog left behind in a car after its owner was arrested by Round Rock police on Sunday died of heat exhaustion before animal control could arrive to take custody of it. Barton Springs Pool has been declared safe for swimming, following the identification of toxic algae downstream in Barton Creek. Despite slowing economic numbers nationally, the Austin economy seems to be roaring along. However, the Texas Workforce Commission predicts that Austin's rate of job growth will soon be surpassed by neighboring suburban cities. Austin has been ranked #8 on a new list of the best ice cream cities in the U.S. - and #1 in Texas. St. David's Medical Center has been named the 8th best hospital in Texas, and the 37th best in the country. Austin Monthly has profiled Austin author Gabino Iglesias, whose new novel "The Devil Takes You Home" is gaining attention from Hollywood.

Welcome to the 15th episode of the Manager Minute. Joining Carol Pankow in the studio today is Cheryl Fuller, VR Division Director with the Texas Workforce Commission and also incoming CSAVR President. Today we will talk about Social Security's VR Cost Reimbursement program, which was authorized in 1981. The purpose of that program is to make State VR services more readily available to SSA beneficiaries with disabilities and to generate savings for the Social Security Trust Fund for SSDI beneficiaries and the General Revenue Fund for SSI recipients.   Learn how the Texas Workforce Commission uses technology and staff to maximize and track Social Security Reimbursements to help support their programs.   Listen Here You can find out more about VRTAC-QM on the web at: https://www.vrtac-qm.org/    Full Transcript   VRTAC-QM Manager Minute: Everything is Bigger in Texas- Learn How Texas Leverages SSA Reimbursement   {Music}   Speaker: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management. Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host, Carol Pankow.   Carol: Welcome to the manager minute. I am so fortunate to have Cheryl Fuller, V.R. Division Director with the Texas Workforce Commission and also incoming CSAVR president, joining me in the studio today. And Cheryl, there certainly have been some very tragic things happening in your state and most recently the Uvalde School shooting. And my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. I know VR is typically filled with people with a lot of heart. We're kind of people people. So in light of all that's happening, how are you and your staff holding up?   Cheryl: First of all, thank you for thinking about us. This is something very much at the forefront of our minds and it's really on our hearts. And we have a field office in Uvalde about a block and a half from the school. And so it's a small community. Our staff knows everyone. I grew up in a small town myself, and I know just how wonderful it is to grow up in a small town with the support and the relationships, and that will be important for them going forward. And our agency, along with other agencies, immediately looked at what we can do, how can we help our community? Because it is our community. And we're looking at a couple of things. We're looking at some group skills training later this summer to help some of our students get ready to go back to school. And how can we do that? How can we help them think about going back to school and process that and think about some positive things that they look forward to about why they're in school, their career and growing up and getting ready to transition. And of course, we know adults also may need us. So we're redoubling our efforts to make sure that our community knows that our services are there to help them. If a few months from now they begin to have conditions that are preventing them from keeping their job. We're here to help, and we know that if we all do what we can, we will help our community work through this.   Carol: Well, I'm really glad you're at the helm because you bring that heart to it. That has just broken my heart. I'm thinking about you all. I'm praying for you guys every day. And I'm glad you're in that leadership role there to bring that to your staff and to your customers and that thought and thinking ahead for the next school year. That is so smart, so wise.   Cheryl: Well, that's our staff on the ground and it's our agency executive director. We're so fortunate to have an executive director that cares very much about our division, our programs, our customers and our staff, and was on the ground meeting with our staff and immediately asking what we can do and helping us be creative in thinking how can we help? We can do more. And so we're really fortunate to have.   Carol: I love that. That is so great to hear. Cheryl, I've known you since you started at the agency. And in fact, I don't think you probably remember this, but I was actually sitting behind you at your first CSAVR conference, and I remember thinking, Who is that lady? You were so sharp and you would ask questions like, I'm like, This gal is super intelligent. Like, Where's she come from? Because you were new to VR and you came out of the other side of the world. But I loved it because you participated right away and you've accomplished so much in your tenure. I've really always looked up to you and your leadership, not only in your agency but in the VR field as a whole. And so congrats on that new position as the incoming president of CSAVR. I know you're going to be spectacular at that job.   Cheryl: Thank you, Carol. You know, I've always looked up to you. In fact, we were following you around, as I recall, when you were president, as you tried to lead our association and lead our partnership with our federal agency to get more flexibility, which we so needed to serve students with disabilities. So I was in the group behind you going, Yeah, what Carol says.   Carol: So you are hilarious. Well, I never got to be CSAVR President, I was the NCSAB president. CSAVR Executive Committee.   Cheryl: Yeah, that's right.   Carol: I did a lot of that work through NCSAB, but you know, I was on both groups and so wow, definitely promoting those flexibilities and I'm glad they finally came through.   Cheryl: Well, thank goodness for your leadership there and your leadership with administrative changes like prior approval, I thought how has Carol already figured all of this out? And we're still trying to spell prior approval, so.   Carol: Oh, you are very sweet. Yeah, well, I'm still working on it to this day in my new role. Yes. But today we're going to talk about Social Security's VR cost reimbursement program, which was really authorized back in 1981. Right. And the purpose of that program is to make State VR services more readily available to SSI beneficiaries with disabilities and to generate savings for the Social Security Trust Fund for SSDI beneficiaries and the General Revenue Fund for SSI recipients. And so under that cost reimbursement program, the Social Security Administration will pay state VR agencies compensation in the form of reimbursement when beneficiaries served by State VR agencies enter the workforce and achieve nine continuous months of earnings. And those earnings must be at or above substantial gainful activity, and usually it's just referred to as SGA. I know for me that program income was really a game changer when I was at Minnesota Blind. I mean, it actually gave us some breathing room and we were able to do some really creative things and invest in. Our older individuals who are blind program. And so what I was thinking about who to talk to for this I of course I called Courtney. She was my person. I'm like, Courtney, what are the states out there that are doing really well with this? And you were at the top of the list. So when you look at those reimbursement levels, I know your state is out in the lead and being really efficient in getting every possible dollar. So let's dig into this. Can you give us a little picture about VR in Texas? Like what's your annual grant amount? Kind of how many staff do you have? How many customers do you serve? Paint a little picture for our listeners.   Cheryl: Sure. Our annual grant amount has been growing every year rather significantly. It's grown 23% since 2017. Wow. So our annual grant allotment is at about 300 million now. We're second to our sister state in California. Of course, California is bigger. And so we have certainly, as we've seen our grant grow, we are seeing it grow in significant part because of our population growth in Texas. We are expected to, if we haven't already surpassed the 30 million person point in Texas population, we were 27.4 in 2016 and we are now well into 30 million. In fact, I think we were leading the country in numeric growth from 2010 to 2020. Wow. Our state is growing in terms of population. Our economy is remaining strong and our grant is growing. I'll tell you our annual budget. So our grants are of course for two years, but our annual budget this year is about $276 million at the DSU level. And so when it comes to the number of folks that we're serving, if we just think about participants, which is how we now consider a number of customers serve in the most specific sense. So somebody with an IP who is also receiving services, last year it was about 65.5 thousand, so 65,514. To be specific, it's running 65 to 70000 a year is how many customers we're serving. We're doing that with a division that has about 744 positions. The vast majority of those are in the field. About 1663 of those positions are in the field. Almost 700 of them are counselors or transition VR counselors who work with students and youth, about 350 rehabilitation assistants to support them. And then we have other direct service delivery staff like our VR teachers, for example. We also have a residential training facility for individuals who are legally blind. Mark Driscoll Rehabilitation Center is in that direct service delivery group. And then of course we have regional and management unit staff also providing support oversight to our staff delivering services. So that's a picture of our system.   Carol: That's a bunch. I was doing the quick math, so I was looking at your 700 counselors divided by those 65,000 people. So you're sitting around 93 customers on average on a caseload.   Cheryl: On average.   Carol: Absolutely. I just have to ask, have you seen any changes as a result of the pandemic with individuals coming in starting to experience the long COVID or anything like that?   Cheryl: You know, we've seen just a handful. We have seen some. It's not big numbers. And I think as individuals experiencing long COVID work through what that is, what it means to them, whether it represents an impediment to their ability to keep a job or get a job or advance in their job. I think we may see more of that. And right now, it still seems like it's quite a new field of study. And these folks are trying to figure out where their resources are and how they're going to work through these symptoms that stay with them for a long time.   Carol: Yeah, absolutely. I'm just thinking that might end up coming your way given all that huge growth in population, for sure. That definitely is. People were all moving to Texas. I see it on Facebook all the time. I've had several friends moved down to Texas, so I get it.   Cheryl: Well, it's hot here right now, so they might be questioning that decision. It's supposed to be I think we're supposed to get to 107 over the weekend, so.   Carol: ]Yeah, I saw that on the news. It's looking blistering, definitely. So tell me about what resources you've been able to put into your SSA reimbursement like both people and technology?   Cheryl: Well, we have had, I would say on the technology side, a game changer over ten years ago, and that is using the Morrow Ticket Tracker system. This system significantly improved not only our efficiency, but the number of claims we were able to successfully process. And for those of you who don't know, it's called the Vocational Rehabilitation Ticket to Work Reimbursement Tracker Program or Tracker. What it does is it tracks and processes traditional reimbursements and ticket to work payments. What the system does. For us as it collects data from our agency case management system. It connects that with external data, which is still internal to us in our agency, which is unemployment insurance, wage records, state verification and exchange information, other types of information. And what it does is it identifies cases that may be ready to be submitted as a claim, may be ready to be submitted as a claim is really important because that's where the other resource we have comes in that is so incredibly valuable to us. We have two dedicated staff in our finance division at the DSA level, and this is all these two staff. Do they use the systems that we have, including Ticket Tracker? They identify claims that may be eligible for us to submit for reimbursement and then they go over those claims with a fine tooth comb because they know the top reasons why a claim may be denied. And, so just because it pops up in that system doesn't mean you just send it in. You go over it with a fine tooth comb, and then they submit it for reimbursement, and then they follow through and then they double check payments when we receive them. And if they think we received a low payment and we can make a case for more of a reimbursement, they submit that for consideration, the level of rigor that these two staff apply to this process is why we have such a low denial rate and why we're able to be so successful. So I call them our secret sauce. They are fantastic. They also coach our counselors in how to help a customer with a ticket assignment. And so what to do with the ticket assignment? Our counselors can reach out to them for help. They're sleuths. They'll look at possible match and say, Wait a minute, I think this date of birth or season, we might need to make a correction here. And so they'll identify that and work with our staff, if necessary, to make data corrections. They are just incredible. And the combination of those two things has helped us be quite successful in submitting claims and receiving those reimbursements.   Carol: I'm really glad you mentioned both of those because I remember going to a conference, I think it was like in 2013 and there were poster sessions up and they had the moral ticket tracker and I'm going, What is this? Because we were doing this old pencil paper, we were getting maybe 400,000 a year or something. And once we got the tracker in, it was not a huge investment. I was super surprised it was a low dollar amount. We never went under $1,000,000 after that. We were a small agency. I'm like, What is happening was amazing, but I think you're right. Having a secret source like you had your two women that were your secret source. So I had Courtney. She was our secret. She was amazing at that. You know, I think you have to dedicate some resource. And I know there are definitely some agencies struggling right now, and I know there are a number of folks that are not actually submitting for reimbursement right now. They just haven't been able to land and figure that out. But those are two important pieces to the equation.   Cheryl: Very important and sharing. And I would tell you that because I asked them in preparing for this podcast, I talked to them and I said, Sherri and Annie, what would you recommend? And they said, Well, first ticket tracker.   Carol: Yeah.   Cheryl: And second, check every claim go through every detail of the fine tooth comb.   Carol: Got it. Good advice. That is good. Yes. So I know you've had some recent struggles with your SSA reimbursement and I understood some of the rules changed. You had some things that well, the rules change and it's impacted the amount of the recovery that you've been able to get. So can you talk a little more about that?   Cheryl: I can talk a little bit about it, and then I will make sure not to get out of my depth, because I did talk to Sherri and Annie about this extensively and it reminded me all over again why they're experts and why I'm doing what I'm doing. And so what I would say, kind of overall, as with any program rules, over time, SSA makes adjustments to submission, how we submit what is accepted. And so it's very important that we as well as all the other agencies that are participating in this program, stay on top of those changes and understand that our sister agencies at the federal level will also be making adjustments, and some of those may take some time for them and us. And in the meanwhile, that affects the rate at which you may be getting your claims paid. It may affect whether you're getting your claims paid. And one of the things that specifically has changed over time is what is accepted is proof of employment, particularly when somebody is working in another state. Right. So what used to be accepted is verification of that is no longer. And so we used to be able to show the information collected in our case management system as a valid submission for reimbursement. Now we need something more rigorous. And so we're working through how we connect with our Swiss data, because otherwise we would continue to lose valuable reimbursements for people working in other states, like a pharmacist in California. They could see it, but we needed that proof so that that claim could be paid. And. So it's really being and VR professionals are fantastic at this, but it's being on top of changes and being flexible to deal with them and really trying to work in partnership with our federal agencies to make sure we're all understanding what is required and doing our best to achieve that.   Carol: You might have to drive out to California and take a picture of that pharmacist, if that would be allowed.   Cheryl: I know, I know. I thought, man, what a fantastic outcome for VR, though, right?   Carol: Absolutely. That is incredible. Oh, gosh. I knew those changes had happened, but it was after I left, so I wasn't sure the nuances. So that makes some sense to me. Definitely. So I know you also had something really unique happen with your legislature and your SSA reimbursement, so tell us a little about that.   Cheryl: Well, in 2016, September 1st of 2016, our legacy agency, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, was abolished, and the programs in our legacy agency were transferred by the legislature, either to the Texas Workforce Commission, which is where VR, older, blind, our Randolph Sheppard program, for example, all went. And then the other programs went to the Health and Human Services Commission that included our blind children's program. Our program for those that have traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, are deaf and hard of hearing services that we had, as well as independent living. So independent living part B, part C that went to Health and Human Services and they became the designated state entity for those programs. What we had done historically, though, at our legacy agency is that we had used our program income to expand and enhance our independent living services programs, including older lines. It was just an incredible value to us at our legacy agency that those dollars, because you can use your program income to support other programs funded by the Rehabilitation Act, that those dollars could really strengthen important programs in independent living. And so when we transferred to TWC from DAAS, the Legislature appropriated some of our program income back to the Health and Human Services Commission for continued support for those independent living services programs. That's really important because as we have changes in agency structure, we want to maintain the quality of service that we're providing to our customers, whether they're VR, old or blind, independent living, whatever the case may be. And this is not something that VR agencies may be accustomed to. We know you cannot appropriate vocational rehabilitation grant funds outside of the agency. Right. The VR agency. But with program income, the statute says the state. And so the legislature may appropriate that outside of the agency and did so, $8.5 million per year is appropriated in our appropriations bill pattern to the Health and Human Services Commission to provide continued support to those independent living services programs.   Carol: So how does that relate then to how much you get in program income? Wow.   Cheryl: We collect about $20 Million a year in program income. We have had years where it was higher significantly. So I think our highest year was 33 million. Wow. Sometimes that has to do with when claims are paid versus when you submit the claim. But we can look at about $20 Million a year. So it represents a significant part of our program income and it's also the largest method of finance for those independent living programs back at our sister agency.   Carol: That's pretty incredible. It's kind of it's a little scary to think that they designated a dollar amount versus saying we're going to take 20% or we're going to take a percentage, which would make it a little easier. As there's fluctuations, you're not held to that particular threshold.   Cheryl: Certainly that's something we keep our eye on. And I'm sure that our policymakers and appropriators were concerned about keeping the programs whole. So I understand why they would have been concerned to make sure our independent living programs remain strong and healthy. But we certainly do watch that pretty carefully.   Carol: Oh, I'm sure, absolutely. So I know you're also looking at doing some good stuff moving forward and expanding your older individuals who are blind program with the SSA dollars. So what are you thinking about with that?   Cheryl: Well, I have a lot of favorites. The older blind program is one of my favorites. It is such a gem of a program when we think about I think the number is one in six adults age 65 and over will experience some type of age related macular degeneration. And you think about the growing population in our state and the fact that that grant is a really small grant that stayed small for a long time. We and our stakeholders just want very much to serve more. We want to serve more. Seniors who are learning to live with less vision, experiencing that vision loss, and we want to provide more services for them. And one of the ways we can do that is looking at our program income, say, can we invest some of this program income in expanding this program? And we took a little step to do that last year to see how it's going. We added a few staff and we were able to increase our client services a little bit. And now we want to really move in the direction to maximizing that program income to expand that program, not only to add staff. Because in the state this size, our OIC grants was a little over 2 million, maybe 2.2 million a year and by the time we add our match funds, we're at about 2.5 million. That's very small for the population that could really benefit from these services. And so we would like to add more staff across the state so that we're present in more communities and there's not so much windshield time for our staff. But also we'd like to really enhance some of the services that we provide, including offering a one week residential program similar to what we might see in our Chris Cole Rehabilitation Center that's focused on VR. How could we have a one week residential program where a seniors could come and really get support and encouragement from other seniors experiencing vision loss and learn some of those skills where they can just focus on learning those skills in a group and in a supportive cohort and making friends and kind of working through some of the fear associated with vision loss and really gaining their confidence. We also want to do that on a daily basis. So if somebody doesn't want to go away for a week, they could go into a center in a day program. So we want to start working toward those kind of activities to really enhance the services as well as serving more people.   Carol: I love that. Well, the OIB program is near and dear to my heart, Too.   Cheryl: I just love that.   Carol: That was one of my places when stuff was all kind of going crazy. I'd go down and talk with the staff from there. I loved it and the stories they'd have, and I'd get these little sweet letters from some of the individuals that we helped to assist. It was lovely. I just think the work done there has been so important for quality of life for people in your later years. You know, yeah, I'm thinking about you with your $2 million. And I mean, my grant was like a half a million dollars. And we're in little, tiny Minnesota with 6 million people. And you've got 30 million people. Yeah, proportionately, it doesn't seem like a lot, but I think you're on the right track with that. We had a lot of success in doing group training with the seniors and like you say, developing that cohort and people to support each other. It really does work well. So I hope you have great success with that.   Cheryl: I hope so. It's such a fantastic program. My granddaddy was legally blind from a very young age and his sight got worse as he got older. And I just think about all the things if he had had access to a program like this, that could have made it easier for him.   Carol: Yep. I had a grandma. I had a grandma too. She lived in 98 with macular degeneration. I remember visiting her one day, went to her house and knocking on doors. She lived over in North Dakota. She's about 10 hours away, but she didn't know who I was, you know, because she couldn't see me. And so I'm talking to her for a long time that it took her while she's like, oh, you know, before she let me in the door, because, like, what's this strange lady doing at my door? Yes, but it would have been so great if I would have had one of our staff could have gone out and helped her and her house and all the bump dots and getting things situated for it would have made it so much easier. I completely understand. Absolutely.   Cheryl: That's what I think about.   Carol: Well, that's the beauty with that program income where you're able to help invest in a program like that. It really is important. Now, I know some other of your agencies are really struggling. They're not submitting their claims for reimbursement. They're not really putting this on the priority list. So what kind of what advice would you give to our listeners about SSA reimbursement if they're sitting back kind of going, wow, we haven't paid this much attention right now and we're doing other things. What advice would you give to them?   Cheryl: Well, first, I have all the sympathy in the world for our sister agencies. I don't know of one agency that doesn't have a full to overflowing plate. And we're all trying to figure out how we can improve our services, how we can be continuously improving, how we can adapt to the environment around us, which is changing so significantly just due to COVID. So, boy, I know we all have a lot on our plates, but this source of income for us is allowing us to expand a program that is really underfunded for the size of a state. We have just the incredible difference it can make in the lives of people who may have had their sight for years and years. And now they're losing it and they're scared to death and we can be there to help. And that's just one way we can think about using our program in. So I would encourage agencies that may not have tackled this yet or may have struggled with it in the past to just think through it, think through what the opportunity is, how much you might be leaving on the table, what you could do with those dollars. And there's help out there to figure out what you're doing if you need some systems. There are systems out there. The ticket tracker is a great system. There are people out there that can provide support and help you as you develop dedicated staff. But I would make sure if you want to jump in and I encourage you to get the system you need and get the people who make it a priority because it is what they do and you will benefit and you will be able to do with those programming dollars some innovative things to support your programs, whether it's VR or older, blind or independent living.   Carol: Well said. And I believe VR still has a cost reimbursement group. So they always had a little a group that got together and they do some specific training. I remember sending Courtney and other people out to that training and they developed quite a cohort themselves of folks to rely on. I remember her calling Virginia people, you know, different folks that she got to meet through the training. And so definitely that can be a resource as well.   Cheryl: That's the great thing about the VR world. I've learned so much from other states, from you, from some of my colleagues in other states. We are there for each other. CSAVR and NASAB are great avenues to pursue to make sure your staff are connected to other people who do that work and can support them.   Carol: Yeah, I love that. I love that. So I cannot leave this episode though, without asking you about your upcoming presidency on July 1st. It's CSA VR. So I just wondered, what are you hoping to accomplish next year? Do you have any things that you want to tackle?   Cheryl: Well, first of all, it's a big job and there have been some fantastic people in this role over the years. And so my goal would really be to continue the conversation that we began at CSA VR a couple of years ago and that we're having with each other as VR agencies at the association level offline and also with our federal partner. And that is how can we understanding the trends that are affecting the VR program nationally? And by that I mean fewer people applying, fewer people being determined eligible, fewer people achieving employment outcomes. How can we work together to understand what's driving those trends and to be innovative and collaborative as a system, as a national program about how we can address those trends. And I'm excited about the opportunity we have as an association to add value to the member agencies, because we're all working on some of these things. We're all working on recruiting and retaining staff because if you don't recruit and retain staff, you don't have people to serve your customers and making sure they're prepared and trained well so that you can serve your customers with the level of expertise that we all want to have at the table for the benefit of our customers. We're all looking at what we need to do to improve our processes. Our processes need to evolve just as all processes in businesses around the country. So how is the VR process evolving to meet the needs and expectations of the customers in 2022? And we're all working how we can be visible to our communities, be available, make sure they know we're here. How can we be doing outreach and communicating about the difference our program makes? These are things we can all work on together, and I think that CSA VR in partnership with CSA B and collaborating across states can really add some value to that conversation and support all of us out here in the States who are working hard to make our programs the best that they can be.   Carol: I love that. I look forward to following you this next year. It's going to be super fun, super fun to watch. So thanks for joining me, Cheryl. I know you're super busy and I really appreciate your time. I hope you have a great day.   Cheryl: Thank you, Carol. Thanks so much for having me.   {Music} Speaker: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Fifty seven thousand nurses are needed in Texas by 2032, says the Texas Workforce Commission's Julian Alvarez.The labor representative on TWC spoke about the shortage of nurses at a recent Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation conference held at the Brownsville Events Center. The event was titled Inquieta - Women Maximizing their Impact.Alvarez said TWC is working with higher education institutions and the Texas Board of Nursing to address the shortage.After the conference, Alvarez spoke with Rio Grande Guardian International News Service editor Steve Taylor about the shortage of nurses in Texas.

In this two-part special event, Gene Marks leads a roundtable discussion on the explosive business growth in Texas. In Part 2, you'll hear from our second panel of experts how current employment trends are impacting businesses across Texas, and how employers are addressing rising wages and competition. How are state agencies responding, and what resources and training programs connect job seekers and employers, or help boost retention? Featured guests: John Scott, Texas Secretary of State; Bryan Daniel, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission; Denise Hernandez, a longtime catering and restaurant owner in San Antonio;  Kathryn Hardison, reporter covering economic development and real estate in Texas. Topics include: 6:13 – One employer's search for staff and rising wages from COVID to today 9:48 – Workforce impact of larger companies relocating to Texas, manufacturing sector, more 13:33 – Texas: the Beatles of small business employment 14:37 - Robust education network in TX will help fill workforce 18:57 - How does immigration reform factor into workforce solutions? 23:05 - Why connecting job seekers to employers takes more than simple matching 25:54 - More focus needed on upskilling and retraining investments; online learning tools available 32:08 - Some job sectors growing, while others, such as hospitality, are strained. 37:58 - Pros and cons of technology that reskills workers vs. replacing their jobs 40:09 - TWC can help employers establish apprenticeship programs 41:57 – Overall, Texas is thriving across multiple industries and sectors. Resources: If you're like Denise and own a business heavily based in hospitality, events, or travel, download our whitepaper with research insights on innovating in today's marketplace at www.paychex.com/secure/whitepapers/hospitality-businesses-innovating-covid19-pandemic. What are the top business regulations companies are facing in 2022? Read our article at www.paychex.com/articles/compliance/top-regulatory-issues. Prefer to watch this conversation online as a virtual roundtable video? Access the full dialogue, guest speaker biographies, and additional resources, when you enter your email at our Session 2 event page.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

On Tuesday's show: Texas added 5,100 upstream oil and gas jobs in February, the highest spike in more than a decade and the second highest jump more than 30 years, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Why? Also this hour: Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis talks about issues affecting the county and answers listener questions. Then, we learn about some of the rare species of wildlife that have been spotted around Texas recently. And poet Nikki Giovanni shares what advice she gives to aspiring writers at Prairie View A&M University and explains why a South American bat was named after her.

Julian Alvarez the III, Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission shares about growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, the adversities he faced and his definition for success. He also touches on his diverse experiences while working as the Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson and as a State Trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Mr. Alvarez provides life advice and discusses on the importance of being an integral and visionary leader.

In this episode of Nonprofit Architect, Travis talks with John “Nick” Valentine, the CEO and Founder of Operational Phantom Support. He was born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago, grew up as a Navy Brat. At age 19, John joined the US Army.  John served 20 years in the US Army, making the Rank of Sergeant First Class, E-7. I deployed 6 times served in Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq.  Travis and Nick talk about Phantom Support, an organization started in 2014 to support our Active-Duty Members, Honorable Veterans, First Responders, and their families.     Conversation Highlights:  {01:27}  What is Operation Phantom? {04:59} Stories from the food pantry support {10:52} Stories from the support programs in Ford Hood {12:48} Using your Skill bridge time in a program called Veterans to Employment {21:03} The Texas Workforce Commission's program to help students   {25:23} What are the steps that a non-profit would have to do to become a partner? {38:01} The importance of transparency for non-profits.   Remarkable quotes:  Non-profit is the most satisfying thing I've done in my life, but it's also one of the hardest things. If you want to be in a non-profit and make a load of money, get into the medical world because their CEOs make between 12 and 25 million. If we make our own communities strong, people will want to come to our community and live here because our communities got stronger and healthier.   Resources:  https://www.phantomsupport.org/     Bio:   John “Nick” Valentine is the CEO and Founder of OPS. He was born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago, grew up as a Navy Brat. At age 19, John joined the US Army.  John served 20 years in the US Army, making the Rank of Sergeant First Class, E-7. I deployed 6 times served in Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq.     He is a huge Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears Fan, and also a huge Iron Man fan. He is a big movie fan great way to spend some time with the family and laugh. ‍ John started OPS because he saw a need while serving to help my fellow soldiers but of course expanded that to Veterans and 1st Responders once he built out OPS to help more in need that has done or are doing so much for our country/community.       Nonprofit Architect Podcast Links   Website: http://nonprofitarchitect.org   Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NonprofitArchitect 

Max Kunik is back on the show, and today we are talking about the best and most creative ways that restaurants and food businesses can create revenue streams right now. Max is a great businessman, the owner of RPM Kitchens and Co-Founder of Taster's Table Club. He tells us about all the cool things he's seen in the food industry in the last couple of months, but also what business owners perhaps could do, but are not doing. From virtual cooking classes, selling family meals and expanding parking lots, to virtual farmer's markets and restaurants' promotion, we cover a lot of great ideas that can be helpful for the food industry to pivot right now. Many changes are here to stay, and you'll hear what other new things are coming in the near future, for the benefit of business owners and consumers. Time Stamps: 00:20 – Introducing Max Kunik and the topic of today's episode. 02:02 – What Taster's Table Club is and how it works. 04:55 – Virtual cooking events that Taster's Table Club is hosting. 07:04 – How pre-portioning and ingredients supply work for the virtual dinner events. 11:11 – How virtual cooking classes are a great idea for restaurants to pivot at this time. 15:55 – Curb-side pickup, family meals, selling grocery items with meals as other ways for restaurants to pivot. 18:30 – How local farms are crushing it right now with their sales going 1000% up. 21:20 – Curated farm boxes and delivery as key services for long-term sustainability of local farms. 25:18 – Virtual farmer's markets in the near future. 30:00 – What Good Work Austin is and what they do. 34:45 – How restaurants are maximizing their seating with extending patios and using parking lots. 40:00 – How restaurants can market and promote their good safety practices. 46:00 – What measures restaurants are applying to stay safe for their workers and customers. 49:30 – How restaurants generally responded well to the pandemic, and how they've seen an outpouring of support from the community. 53:30 – The absolute overwhelm of the Texas Workforce Commission due to unemployment applications. 54:40 – How to stay positive until things get better. Resources: Taster's Table Club RPM Kitchens Farmhouse Delivery Farm To Table The Peached Tortilla Tso Delivery Good Work Austin Vinder Texas Real Food Connect with Max Kunik: LinkedIn Connect with Patrick Scott Armstrong: Instagram Facebook Email