Page 2 | 2015 National Job Corps Association Annual Report

We are pleased to provide this 2015 National Job Corps Association (NJCA) Annual Report that reflects our hard-fought educational, advocacy and operational activities for the year. We do so with the knowledge of NJCA being in a stronger, more effective position in representing our members’ interests and those of the Job Corps program.

MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN SCHUBERT AND PRESIDENT TAYLOR

NJCA Chair, Richard Schubert (far left) and NJCA President & CEO, Lonnie Taylor (third from right) with students from the Potomac Job Corps Center during an awards reception on Capitol Hill.

Sincerely,

Richard F. Schubert Chair

Lonnie P. Taylor President & CEO

We begin this reporting by noting that 2015 was a year during which the Job Corps community suffered the loss of two of its students due to violence – something that has almost never occurred during Job Corps’ 50 years. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and friends. Safety has always been the top priority for our members and we assure everyone of the operators’ unwavering determination to enhance even further safety practices on our campuses.

The year 2015 brought about enhanced cooperation and coordination of activities within the Job Corps community. This was particularly the case with Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and his management team. During the year we had an unprecedented number of key meetings and discussions with the entire U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the National Office of Job Corps (OJC) team that have netted strong, positive results.

On Capitol Hill, our strategizing and information-sharing continued with greater force, especially with members of Congress who directly impact Job Corps’ funding and authorization. And our proactive outreach continues to

ensure that Job Corps leaders are up-to-date on issues and are prepared to defend Job Corps from those who would seek to thwart it. The result is that we have had more than 20 additional members of Congress join the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus since the beginning of the year. This is supplemented by those who believe in Job Corps but who — as a general policy — do not participate in caucuses.

The NJCA team has worked closely with its members and congressional offices in ensuring leaders’ participation in on-campus activities. Here in Washington, D.C., we were pleased to have the privilege to present these “champions” with appreciation awards, and personally thanking them and their teams for their critical support.

This was also a year of change with our Board of Directors. With the Operators’ Advisory Committee (OAC) continuing its role in leading policy direction for the Association, the OAC and the NJCA board continue to work closely together in advancing our strategic objectives. Today, the NJCA has a reconstituted Board – 14 strong, practical and influential leaders – that consists of a diversity of operators with a stronger, collective voice. The Board also consist of “outside,” non-operator members who are in the majority and share the common interest in the Association’s mission and Job Corps’ goal of helping disadvantaged youth who are most at-risk. We are convinced that these highly-qualified individual members of this Board can serve strategically as a strong voice in advancing Job Corps’ goals.

And the timing could not be better as Congress is again in the throes of spending negotiations. We will continue to advocate for Job Corps’ necessary funding and for procurement policy that embraces a level playing field with full and open competition.

Thanks to all of you for your across-the-board cooperation and support and for your sincere passion in improving the lives of our disadvantaged youth and their families.

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH

2015 National Job Corps Association Annual Report | Page 3

“Hold on to your dreams. Hold on to the things that motivate you, encourage you

and inspire you. One day, you’ll be in a position to encourage and inspire others.”

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Member of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee during the

Bamberg Job Corps Center’s National Commencement Day

Over the course of 2015, the NJCA has proactively

conducted outreach to nearly 140 members of Congress

from the House and Senate Appropriations committees,

the House Education and the Workforce Committee,

and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Committee. The NJCA has engaged and shared timely

information with these influential congressional offices

related to Job Corps’ critical funding needs, procurement

practices, and student safety and campus security. As a

result, both the House and Senate recommended fiscal

year 2016 funding levels very similar to fiscal year 2015,

even as many other programs are facing cuts.

Both the House and Senate bills include statutory and

report language regarding Job Corps. Specifically, both

bills include statutory language clarifying the process

by which DOL may procure the operation of a Civilian

Conservation Center. The House bill includes report

language requiring DOL to report on its center closure

plans prior to any closure and to continue its semi-

annual reports on Job Corps’ financial management.

The Senate bill includes report language requiring

DOL to report to Congress on its use of new Job Corps

procurement procedures under the Workforce Innovation

and Improvement Act (WIOA). Additionally, Senate

Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-

MS) included a provision requiring DOL to report on the

long-delayed reconstruction of the Gulfport Job Corps

Center.

Finally, the NJCA launched a new initiative to engage

with elected members of Congress. Since January 2015,

the NJCA has met and educated more than 100 freshman

and sophomore members of Congress in an effort to

cultivate future supporters. This effort has in part resulted

in numerous visits to Job Corps campuses:

» Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA) served as

keynote speaker at Inland Empire’s National Job

Corps Commencement Day in San Bernandino, CA.

» Representative Martha McSally (R-AZ) toured the

Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center in Tucson, AZ.

» Representative

Ruben Gallego

(D-AZ) visited with

students and staff

at the Phoenix Job

Corps Center in

Phoeniz, AZ.

» Representative

Mark Wayne

Mullin (R-OK)

traveled to the

Talking Leaves

Job Corps Center in Tahlequah, OK.

Thanks to the consistent outreach through the NJCA Star

Program, nearly 20 members of Congress have joined the

Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus. The result – a

new record. Today the Caucus exceeds 100 members.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) speaks to graduates at the Phoenix Job Corps Center

MOVING JOB SUPPORTERS TO JOB CORPS CHAMPIONS

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NJCA members and staff work diligently throughout the year in outreach to elected officials and their staff. Our long-term goal is to develop champions for Job Corps who will be ready to advance or intercede on key issues of importance to the Job Corp community.

“I thank Job Corps for its dedication to changing the lives of America’s at-risk, jobless

and disenfranchised youth. Job Corps remains a community-changing program that affects

thousands across the United States. Job Corps continues to evolve and adapt to the

changing needs of our youth, businesses and economic conditions.”

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), Chair, House Appropriations Committee, accepts a “Job Corps Congressional Champion” award from the NJCA and staff at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center

“I have been a great fan of Job Corps for many years. Job Corps offers a big bang for

the buck. Every dollar invested in Job Corps has doubled its return through income taxes

paid and social welfare costs avoided.”

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Member, Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Committee, visits with students from the Exeter Job Corps Center

“Job Corps was founded on the noble idea that, if given the opportunity, the support,

and the training, America’s young people could overcome any obstacles and achieve. For

50 years, Job Corps graduates have turned the idea into reality.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Member, Senate Appropriations Committee, talks with Penobscot Job Corps Center student Marissa Nerbonne

“I have visited [Muhlenberg and Earle C. Clements] centers in person, and I have

met with educators, staff and students. It is the students who are the true testament to the

success of this program, and I am moved each time I visit with them and hear how much Job

Corps has changed their lives. I co-founded the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus

in 2006 because I believe in this program.”

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), member of Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus, visits with students and staff at the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center

“What I saw is that Job Corps gave these young people a chance to succeed and

find out that they can do these things.”

Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), Member, House Education and Workforce Committee, records a video message featured during the April 21 National Job Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

““After years of work, it was an honor to attend the Wind River Job Corps Center grand

opening today in Riverton. The first of its kind in Wyoming, the center will help ensure that

the citizens of Wyoming have the skills and training they need to be leaders in tomorrow’s

workforce. Thanks to the dedication by the city, county, tribal and state governments, and

federal agencies who helped make this center a reality. It will help support Wyoming’s

communities and economy for years to come.”

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chair, Senate Budget Committee, delivers the keynote address at the grand opening of the Riverton Job Corps Center

The last time Job Corps leaders met with a Secretary

of Labor was more than a decade ago. The NJCA has

enhanced its productive working relationship with the

federal leadership of Job Corps, ETA, DOL, and the Office of

the Inspector General (OIG). In fact, NJCA leaders, including

the NJCA Chair, NJCA President & CEO, NJCA members,

and center directors, have met with Secretary Perez three

times this year. As a result of the NJCA’s outreach, DOL is

addressing our members’ priorities related to:

ENGAGING WITH THE DOL

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STUDENT READINESS » The Secretary convened a working group within

DOL to address concerns expressed by our

members regarding the Job Corps’ admissions

process and the readiness of Job Corps

applicants.

» The OIG is actively considering auditing DOL’s

policy implementation of WIOA’s requirements

related to the admissions process and

assessments of student readiness.

POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS HANDBOOK (PRH) » OJC continues with its re-write of the PRH to be

a policy document rather than an operational

document to give operators greater flexibility as

requested by NJCA members.

» OJC has committed to providing NJCA members

an opportunity to review and submit feedback to

PRH policy changes prior to those changes being

finalized.

STUDENT SAFETY AND SECURITY » OJC is convening meetings with the NJCA

Student Safety Workgroup to discuss

implementation of the NJCA’s policy

recommendations.

» OJC is exploring a demonstration program

and evaluation related to staff-level cognitive

behavioral therapy strategies identified by the

NJCA as a means to address concerns related to

student safety.

PROCUREMENTS » Office of Contract Management (OCM) committed

to updating the procurement schedule to more

accurately reflect the true pace of procurements.

» OCM solicited NJCA’s feedback on the

implementation of WIOA within NJCA’s new RFPs.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES » ETA jointly organized with the NJCA the first Job

Corps National Training Conference in more than

five years.

» ETA helped develop the NJCA’s Professional

Development Webinar Series bringing it to

unprecedented levels of attendees.

» OJC has requested additional funding to support

Job Corps staff in FY 2017.

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NJCA AT WORK

NATIONAL JOB CORPS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

In April, the NJCA, along with its non-profit sister

organization, Foundation for Youth Opportunities

(FYO), organized a series of student- and graduate-

focused events to celebrate 50 years of remarkable

success. On Tuesday, April 21, over 700 students,

staff, members of Congress, U.S. Department of

Labor and National Office of Job Corps officials,

employers and other supporters gathered at the

historic Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., to

look back at the past 50 years and envision the next

50. The celebration included a cadre of inspirational

stories of transformation.

» Nearly 100 Job Corps students from across the

nation kicked off the celebration by leading a

processional into the Mellon ballroom.

» Ten “Job Corps Heroes” represented the

millions of lives touched by Job Corps through

inspirational short documentaries. Heroes

were all from different decades and served as

powerful reminders that all Job Corps students,

regardless of their circumstances, have the

potential for greatness.

» In a rousing and motivational speech,

Secretary Perez noted, “You already are

successful because you have that combination

of knowledge and wisdom. That is why I love

Job Corps, and that is why Job Corps is going

to be around the next 50 years – because we

have that remarkable partnership of people.”

» More than 30 members of Congress and

congressional staff attended the National Job

Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration, including:

Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan

Collins (R-ME), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Jack

Reed (D-RI); and Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA),

I don’t know where we would be without Job Corps.”

– Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY), Co-Chair, Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus

I will do everything that I can to ensure that [Job Corps] continues to fulfill President Lyndon B. Johnson’s goal to ‘give our fellow citizens a fair chance to develop their own capacities.’”

– Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Co-Chair, Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus and member of the House Appropriations Committee

NJCA AT WORK

Xavier Becerra (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI),

Chris Gibson (R-NY), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX),

David Jolly (R-FL), James Langevin (D-RI), Lucille

Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA),

Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

NJCA’S 2015 ANNUAL POLICY FORUM

Following the National Job Corps 50th Anniversary

Celebration, the NJCA held its annual Policy Forum,

where attendees learned more about the DOL’s

Notice for Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for WIOA.

This includes a focus on the new performance

measures, new procurement rules, and new

performance accountability provisions. Following

the Policy Forum, Association members, Job Corps

frontline staff, student leaders and the NJCA staff

conducted hundreds of visits on Capitol Hill. Our

focus was on securing support for Job Corps funding

and for expansion of 3,500 slots.

NATIONAL JOB CORPS TRAINING AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

NJCA FYO hosted the first Job Corps National

Training and Student Leadership conferences.

These were conducted in conjunction with DOL

and OJC officials — its first such event in more

than five years. With more than 400 Job Corps

leaders in attendance, the conference was widely

considered a great success. The open dialogue and

collaborative nature of the conference, particularly

with DOL’s participation and responsiveness to

concerns expressed by Association members.

Attendees reported that they left feeling more

optimistic about the program’s future.

2015 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR SERIES

The NJCA continued to offer a modern and

convenient way to deliver professional development

to centers and corporate staff. The 2015 Professional

Development Webinar Series successfully

conducted six separate trainings on student

safety and behavior management, WIOA, financial

management, the Performance Improvement Plan

(PIP) process, classroom management and center

security. The courses were led by a diverse group of

experts within and outside the Job Corps community

as well as officials from DOL, ETA and the OJC.

In 2015, the Job Corps community lost a free-spirited soul and long-time advocate.

Ray Bramucci served as Employment and Training Administration Secretary during

the Clinton Administration and over the last five years a member of the NJCA Board

of Directors. Ray was a passionate believer in our students. He knew that each and

every Job Corps student had a chance to live the American dream because of the

program. He loved talking to our students, learning about their stories of hardship

and transformation and encouraging them to continue a lifetime of education

and training. His wit, kindness, commitment and fervor were always on display

and made him a beloved figure in the Job Corps community. The NJCA is forever

grateful for Ray’s time, expertise, devotion and friendship. Thoughts and prayers

continue for his family.

IN REMEMBERANCE

Laurance Miller-Hicks prepares for a career in fiber optics, telecommunications and the network cabling industry. Laurance, a graduate of the Charleston Job Corps Center, was a recreation leader, dorm leader and community volunteer while enrolled in the program. His long-term goal is to further his education and obtain a degree as a computer engineer.

On any given weekday morning in Oneonta, New York, Job Corps’ military cadets are a familiar sight as school crossing guards. Highly visible in the community, Oneonta Job Corps’ cadets also assist with traffic control during events, perform as honor guard on special occasions, and help with clean-ups, including flood relief.

NJCA BOARD OF DIRECTORSRichard Schubert, Chair

Dr. Jim Lindenmayer, Vice Chair and Treasurer

Greg Burden (Andrew Carpenter), Career Systems Development

Brian Fox, Education and Training Resources

Steve Hendricks, ResCare

Booker T. Jones (Jaqueline Beasley), MINACT, Inc.

Scott Marquardt, Management and Training Corporation

Dave Marventano, Flour Corporation

Earl Pomeroy, Alston & Bird LLP

Val Randolph, Education and Management Corporation

Mark Rey, The Livingston Group

John Sparkman

Lonnie P. Taylor, President & CEO

BOARD MEMBERS EMERITILaVera Leonard

Jim Sourwine

NJCA OPERATORS ADVISORY COMMITTEEBrian Fox, Education and Training Resources (OAC Chair)

Greg Burden (Andrew Carpenter), Career Systems Development Corporation

Pete Calvo, Horizons Youth Services

Mary Cohorst, Chugach Government Solutions

Steve Hendricks, ResCare, Inc.

Booker T. Jones (Jaqueline Beasley), MINACT, Inc.

Beverly Lovett, Fluor Federal Solutions

Scott Marquardt, Management and Training Corporation

Lisa Odle, Odle Management Group

Tina Terrell, National Office of Job Corps, U.S. Forest Service

NJCA STAFFLonnie P. Taylor, President & CEO

Tim Ford, Executive Director of the NJCA Foundation for Youth Opportunities

Trish Jones Mondero, Senior Director of Congressional Affairs

Anand Vimalassery, Senior Director of Policy

Brendan O’Hara, Assistant Director of Congressional Affairs

Vickie West, Director of Member Outreach

Randy Ford, Senior Director of Strategic Communications

Morgan Pinckney, Member Services Specialist

Plumbing and electrical students from the San Diego Job Corps Center receive a tour of the San Diego Gas and Electric Energy Innovation Center.

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