Introduction to the Conference
Carvella Jackson, Judy McKinney-Cherry, and Governor Ruth Ann Minner

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Opening remarks were made by the event's MC, Carvella Jackson, Professional Recruiter, Christiana Care. Then Judy McKinney-Cherry, Director, DEDO, provided additional remarks and introduced Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner who spoke about the state's commitment to employers, employees, and quality of life.

Employee Recruitment and Screening
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training

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The agency provides services that allow employers to electronically post job notices, and receive contact information on job applicants screened to job specifications. The DOL E&T can provide facilities for employers to interview applicants.

Corinthia Pierce
4425 North Market Street
P.O. Box 9828
Wilmington, DE 19809-0828
Telephone number: (302) 761-8132
Fax number: (302) 761-6617

Employer tribute: "We (The Home Depot) enjoy the collaborative efforts that William Potter and his staff provides to us anytime we reach out to them. We have held mass hiring events, interviewing applicants and received and hired applicants referred from DOL E&T. Their friendly, trained staff, professional and clean atmosphere is always a pleasure to visit and definitely refer job seekers to as a community resource for training and development." -- Micheal D. Patterson, Human Resources Manager, The Home Depot -- 1603, Newark

TransitChek (transit benefit)
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)

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Provides a low-cost way for employers to offer employees a tax-free program for taking public transit or vanpools. Both employers and employees save.

Erin Burke, Marketing Associate, DVRPC
eburke@dvrpc.org

Employer tribute: "At Wilmington Trust Company we've been involved in the TransitChek program for quite a few years. We have about 125 current participants. We offer monthly enrollment and changes. The employees love it because it saves them in taxes and also is a convenient way to pay for public transportation. As the Administrator of the program, I've had a positive experience with TransitChek. It couldn't be easier to order my supply of TransitCheks and my order is always processed in a timely manner. There is always a dependable person on the other end of the phone if I need to call them. Having the program benefits our company in tax savings but also is good for morale because it makes the employees feel that Wilmington Trust cares." -- Dawn Davis, Benefits Administrator, Wilmington Trust

Night Owl Shuttle
DART

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The Night Owl Shuttle is a subsidized subscription transportation service offered on weekdays and Saturdays after regular bus service ends, and Sundays. It is in partnership with DART First State, TMA Delaware, and local employers and it provides service to and from local employer worksites.

TMA Delaware
100 West 10th St. Ste 307
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone Number: (302) 658-9001
Fax Number: (302) 658-9002

Employer tribute: "The Hotel Dupont is a 24/7 customer service operation, so transportation is very important to us. We have been participating in the Night Owl Shuttle since the inception of the program. The shuttle assists the Hotel DuPont in being able to hire employees for all shifts. Our employees that rely on mass transportation have a way of getting to work when there are no buses running." -- Marta Smith, Director of Housekeeping, Hotel DuPont

Get a Job/Get a Ride
DART

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Get A Job Get A Ride is a free statewide program to help new employees with free bus transportation to and from work for their first 3 weeks of employment. To enroll, employers must submit a request to DART's Get A Job Get A Ride program for their newly hired employees on company letterhead within the first 30 days of the new hires' employment. Once the request is approved, a free 3 week bus pass will be issued to the employer for the new employee.

Alison Kirk, Programs Specialist
Delaware Transit Corporation
119 Lower Beech Street Suite 100
Wilmington, DE 19805-4440
Telephone Number: (302) 576-6014
Fax Number: (302) 577-8040
Alison.kirk@state.de.us

Rideshare
DART

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RideShare Delaware is DART First State's ridematching service that gives other options of commuting to work by carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus or train, or biking or walking than driving alone to work.

TMA Delaware
100 West 10th St. Ste 307
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone Number: (302) 658-9001
Fax Number: (302) 658-9002

Employee tribute: "I signed up for the RideShare Delaware program about 10 months ago. The arrangement is simple; we share the drive by alternating days. The immediate benefit for each of us is that we cut our driving effort and expense by 50%!! This has been a big savings. Overall, I think carpooling is a really sound concept. If for no other reason other than contributing to the good of the community, I think employers should encourage and attempt to assist their employees to carpool. This can help reduce the congestion on our roads, lessen air pollution, reduce demand for oil, and probably help reduce the stress of commuting on their employees, thereby making them more productive." -- Phil MacInnis, Delaware Solid Waste Authority for RideShare

Van Pools
Delaware Transportation Management Association (TMA)

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The TMA's Van Pool program serves as the middleman for employers who want to help their pool transportation resources. Ridesharing is carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus or train, or biking or walking to work. The only eligibility of the RideShare Delaware program is employment in Delaware. RideShare Delaware also takes the worry out of ride sharing with the Guaranteed Ride Home benefit. Commuters registered with the RideShare Delaware program experiencing a valid emergency on a Rideshare day are eligible for a free ride home by way of taxi or car rental.

Tammy Ford, TMA Delaware Program Manager
Transportation Management Association of Delaware
(302) 658-9001 or 1-888-RIDE-MATCH
www.tmadelaware.org or www.ridesharedelaware.org

Employer tribute: "RideShare Delaware puts the missing piece of the puzzle together making it easy for everyone to say 'yes' to a vanpool. My biggest reason for starting this vanpool is quoted on every gas station sign you see and it's getting bigger and bigger every day." -- Delaware Air National Guard TSgt. Crocker

Federal Bonding Program
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training

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The Federal Bonding Program can provide to employers, at no cost, bond coverage for employees they are hiring who cannot be bonded through their own insurance carrier. The specific coverage includes theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement.

Beverly Benson, Contract Specialist
Telephone Number: (302) 761-8087

Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Welfare to Work Tax Credit
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training

Visit their website  Learn about the tax credit or listen to this part of the conference.

January 2007 - UPDATE - Legislative Changes

Employers can receive tax credits for hiring qualified ex-felons, high risk youths, vocational rehabilitation applicants, food stamp recipients, supplemental security income recipients, welfare recipients, veterans who are members of families receiving food stamps, and a persons receiving rehabilitation through the Veterans Administration.

Beverly Benson, Contract Specialist
Telephone Number: (302) 761-8087

Earned Income Tax Credit assistance
Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation

Visit their website or listen to this part of the conference. January 2007 - UPDATE!

The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides a lump-sum cash refund to low-wage working individuals and families. EITC not only reduces the tax burden on low-income workers, but it supplements wages. Eligibility is based on a prerequisite of employment, making work pay for workers in entry level positions. Nehemiah Gateway offers an array of programs designed to help low and moderate income workers increase their economic stability. Many of these programs could increase the cash flow and future economic position of working families, especially when combined with earned income and stable employment.

Mary Dupont, Executive Director
Telephone Number: (302) 655-0803
mary@marydupont.com

Child Care and Elder Care
The Family & Workplace Connection

Visit their website or listen to this part of the conference. January 2007 - UPDATE

Employers can partner with the Family & Workplace Connection to enable their employees to locate child and elder care, helping them to more effectively manage their work and personal responsibilities. Individual families can also work directly with FWC to locate child and elder care. There are no changes to our child care or elder care services since October 2006. Please remind employers and their employees that The Family & workplace Connection can help them balance their work and family life by providing information, referrals and educational materials. Families can call: 302-479-1660 in NCC or 1-800-660-6602 in Kent and Sussex Counties or visit us on the web:

Gerri Weagraff
Telephone Number: (302) 479-1675
Fax Number: (302) 479-1693
gweagraff@familyandworkplace.org

Employer tribute: "When employees' needs to balance work and family life are met, employees are more productive, have better attendance and are loyal to their employer." -- Christine D. vanVeen, Benefits Consultant, PEPCO

Workforce Training Grants
Delaware Economic Development Office/Workforce Center of Excellence

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Employers can access valuable financial resources and training expertise to support customized training programs for their employees.

Helen M. Groft
Workforce Center of Excellence
Delaware Economic Development Office
Telephone Number: (302) 672-6807
Fax Number: (302) 739-2027
helen.groft@state.de.us

Employer tribute: "Through the support of the Delaware Economic Development Workforce Development Program, Hirsh Industries has been able to promote the growth and development of our employees. The Delaware Workforce values training and has been an essential partner in assisting us in our training efforts." -- Meg Shivone, Vice President, Human Resources, Hirsh Industries, LLC

Tuition Assistance
Delaware Higher Education Commission

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Tuition assistance is available for employees who attend college on a part time basis while working part time or full time at a small business. This program pays 65% of tuition and fees, up to $2,000 per year, at participating colleges in the state.

Maureen Laffey, Director
Delaware Higher Education Commission
Telephone Number: (302) 577.5240
Fax Number: (302) 577.6765

Employer tribute: "We would like to thank the State of Delaware's Department of Higher Education for opportunities with The Governor's Workforce Development Grant. Each year we have approximately 80 staff members that are eligible to apply for this grant. It is an outstanding incentive for the employees of Dover Federal Credit Union. We not only recognize the costs of continuing education, but the importance as well. We appreciate having this program and the financial relief it provides to our employees who wish to further their education." -- Jenell Daniels, Training Coordinator, Dover Federal Credit Union

Education, Training, and Advocacy
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence

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Provides training and certification programs, awareness and collaboration services, and resources about domestic violence.

Mental Health Services
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health

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Some mental health services are available to people who are on Medicare or have no insurance, or those whose private insurance does not provide mental health services. Payment is billed to the client on a sliding scale.

Helen T. McDonnell, MSW
Social Services Senior Administrator
Div. of Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Community Mental Health
801 S. Harrison Street
Wilmington DE 19805
Telephone Number: (302) 577-2883

Mediation Services for Filed Complaints
Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial Affairs

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The Department of Labor would like all Delaware employers (those who attended the conference last summer and those who did not) to know that our mediation program continues to be successful in resolving workplace disputes.B Our mediation program also continues to receive high praise from both employees and employers who have participated in it.B If any Delaware employer, employer association or group would like more information about the Department of Laborb ,!"s mediation program, members of our staff are available to make presentations on how the program works and the advantages to employers of submitting workplace disputes to mediation.B Requests for information or speakers should be directed to:B B

Julie Klein Cutler, Administrator
Delaware Department of Labor, Industrial Affairs Division
Telephone: 302-761-8213
B E-mail: Julie.Cutler@state.de.us

Financial Education
Delaware Money School

Visit their website or listen to this part of the conference. January 2007 - UPDATE

Delaware Money School offers over 500 FREE financial education classes across the state a year, including special request programs to businesses, community groups and schools. Employers can contact us with classes or topics they would like to have a presented to their employees. We can help customize your program or you can check our website for session ideas. All services are free.

Eva Marie Harris
Program Director
Delaware Financial Literacy Institute
Delaware Money School
3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703
Phone: 302.792.1200 Fax: 302.792.1050

Employee Recruitment Services
Employment Connections Program

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Employers can receive individual referrals or arrange for on campus interviews for several potential employees at once. They can speak to a group of job candidates to explain what their company does and what jobs are available. Employment Connections candidates come with child care services, Medicaid, food stamps, coaching and/or counseling supports to help assure successful employment.

Employee Recruitment Services
New Castle County Contact
Barry Lott
Maximus
Telephone Number: (302) 323-1339


Kent County Contact
Michael Benefield, Sr.
Delaware Technical and Community College, Terry Campus
Telephone Number: (302) 739-7313


Sussex County Contact
David Tidwell
Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus
Telephone Number: (302) 856-5400

Keep a Job Program

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Employers can receive individual referrals or arrange for in agency interviews for several potential employees at once. They can speak to a group of job candidates to explain what their company does and what jobs are available. Employment Connections candidates come with child care services, Medicaid, food stamps, coaching and/or counseling supports to help assure successful employment.

New Castle County Contacts
Dolores Tamez
Salvation Army
Telephone Number: (302) 472-0740

and

Gary Mason
Ministry of Caring, Job Placement Center
Telephone Number: (302) 652-5522



Kent & Sussex Counties Contact
Melissa Worthy
Children & Families First
Telephone Number: (302) 736-3525

Conference Closing
Carvella Jackson

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Closing remarks were made by the event's MC, Carvella Jackson.