Regional Advisory Meeting Recap

January 2023

 Happy New Year!! 😊 Great meeting all! 

Thanks to Janet and Lori, as always, for presenting and helping to moderate the meeting!  Thank you to each of you as well for listening, I know that was A LOT of information!

 Below, please find highlight notes, in addition to files/links shared, and upcoming due dates. 

Finance Updates

Any questions for this section are to be sent directly to Shekera (sdalvarado@fcps.edu)
and copy Lori (ljhancock@fcps.edu)

Highlights:

  • Review of Year to Date Spending (We hit our Q2 target for spending down!)

    • December Grants Summary

    • December PI & Match

  • PIVA Concerns

    o    Note: Materials can be included in cost of navigator activities. If you need a refresher on allowable activities, scroll down to the orange section of this page.

    • Funds can be spent on anything related to IET programming as well, including: advertising, materials, etc.

  • Increase in Race budget

    o    Review ideas listed below for additional spend down of increased RACE funds:

    • Add classes, topic specific workshops, bootcamps

    • Increase planning time to teacher’s weekly hours

    • Add staff for tutoring, resource teachers, etc.

    • Replace equipment in testing computer labs

    • Replace or purchase individual laptops for students

    • Purchase GED ready vouchers

    • Purchase GED test vouchers

    • Equipment to assist teachers such as projectors, microphones, etc.

    • Provide additional professional development opportunities

    • Advertise classes

    • Offer meaningful incentives for taking classes like calculators for math, GED prep books, practice books, etc.  VDOE does not encourage distribution of backpacks, pens, pads of paper and such.  They require an incentive that is directly tied to the student’s learning.

  • Notify the Regional Office of any AEFLA funds that won’t be used by end of year (Deadline to transfer funds – Mid-May 2023)

Data Updates

Highlights:

  • Participants – 66% of our target which is fantastic for the end of the 2nd Quarter!

  • Overall MSG – 19% (please get up-to-date on entering post-testing data)

  • Class Status Report (Janet is checking through, and will reach out with any concerns)

  • State GED Vouchers

    • We can start requesting state vouchers again although supplies may be limited

  • Reminder: Expiring Vouchers

    • Make sure to renew, they’ll expire in the next few months

  • Data Entry Concern

    • Want to make sure all data is up to date, by the 20th of each month

  • Upcoming Data Office Hours

Any questions for this section are to be sent directly to Shekera (sdalvarado@fcps.edu)
and copy Janet (jljaufmann@fcps.edu)

VDOE Updates

 

Customer Service IET Curriculum Information

As a follow up from our Regional Meeting, here’s the overview information on the Guest Service GOLD IET curriculum that is available to all local programs in the region at no cost.  Please note, you can only use this curriculum at no cost for the regional grants – you cannot use it for the IELCE.  If you want to use it for IELCE, you will need to purchase it.  We have it available for regional programs through a partnership agreement with English Empowerment Center.

 If you are interested in reviewing the detailed lesson plans, please reach out to Lori to request the files.

 Thank you to Teri and Xavier who offered to answer questions on the curriculum as they both implemented it.

Implementation of Virtual VA for Adult Education

As a follow up from our Regional Meeting, here’s the overview information on the implementation of Virtual VA for Adult Education. Please review both memo’s and accompanying resources.

Regional Programming Updates

 

  • Grant Application Highlights
    (please pay close attention to these as you write your applications):

    • Allocation Estimates (Make a note of where you’d like to increase AEFLA)

    • State & Federal Priorities

    • Innovations

    • IETs

    • WIOA LWDB Plan Alignment

    • Required Data Training

    • Partner Letters of Support (template available here)

    • Program Income Justification

Best Practices Discussion: Career Counselor/Navigator
Tasks/Activities

Our regional career counselors/navigators, paid out of PIVA, may have different titles across the region, but their work is the same. Here is a list of tasks/activities that you all shared your career navigator/counselor supports for your various programs. (Contact Info for Colleen Hess (chhess@fcps.edu) and Deidra Anderson (danderson@fcps.edu), FCPS GED Career Coaches who are happy to help!)

 

  • Work with classes to set appointments for students

  • Advertise availability and methods of support

  • Schedule time during classes while students are present

  • Define personal and academic goals (working one-on-one)

  • Blog/Electronic newsletter focusing on career paths, job openings

 

  • Refer students to workforce center/one stop for assistance with interview prep, resume creation/update

  • Assist students with job finding

  • Train volunteers to assist in student support

  • Email students directly to identify services and supports

  • Share job announcements and job fairs

  • Share materials in orientation format

  • Create online form to sign up for services and support

  • Collaborate with content specialists in CTE/Community Ed Departments to discuss next steps with students

Career Connection Newsletter - Created by Rachel Buczynski, Fairfax ESOL Career Navigator

Upcoming Due Dates

1/18 – Q2 AEFLA & C&I C&T Reports Due to Regional Office

1/19 – Open Conversation Re: Governor's Proposal on Workforce Development

2/3 – Class Status Reports Due

2/9 – Monthly Finance Reports Due

2/13 – AEFLA Grant Elements Due to Regional Office

2/21 – February Regional Advisory Meeting