Fact Sheet

Mission: Workforce Solutions for Greater Dallas exists
to ensure competitive solutions FOR EMPLOYERS through quality people and FOR PEOPLE through quality jobs.

Vision: Workforce Solutions for Greater Dallas is recognized locally and nationally as a best in class workforce system that.

Chairman of the Board:
Gilbert Gerst

Vice Chairman:
Barbara Walton

Past Chairman:
Jo Ann Brumit

Treasurer:
Patrick Aulson

President:
Laurie Bouillion Larrea

Secretary:
Connie Martinez

Address:
One Main Place
1201 Main Street, Suite 2700
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 290-1000

History: Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas is a leading state and national model for workforce development. In 1995, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Workforce Commission with jurisdiction over programs formerly administered by 10 separate state agencies. All workforce programs were to be administered under local control by 28 workforce boards throughout the state. Created from the former Private Industry Council of Dallas, Inc., WorkSource was certified as a local workforce development board by Gov. George W. Bush on May 15, 1996, one of the first in Texas.

The organization's strategic plan is to implement a system of services that complements economic development: as a resource for employers to access the quality employees they need, and training individuals to be successfully employed. WorkSource administers a broad range of programs to address local workforce issues with business-directed objectives, including job placement & referral services, job training, workplace education, child care and educational initiatives to provide necessary support for every citizen of Dallas County to be successful at work.

Structure: Workforce Solutions is the operating name for the workforce "system" throughout Dallas County and the Dallas County Local Workforce Development Board. Incorporated as a private, non-profit organization, Workforce Solutions is governed by a board of directors representing specific sectors and constituencies as mandated by state and federal law and appointed by Dallas County Judge Jim Foster and Dallas City Mayor Tom Leppert.

Programs:
Workforce Solutions is responsible for the research, planning and oversight of a variety of federal and state workforce programs, including:

• Employer Services - A changing emphasis of the Workforce System is a renewed focus on meeting employer needs. Workforce Solutions has employer service representatives in each workforce center whose job is to outreach local employers, connect them to the workforce system, and work with them to see their employment-related needs are met.
• Employment Services - Each Workforce center has a staff of qualified employment service representatives whose job is to match & refer candidates to jobs for which they are qualified. These individuals may also counsel with job seekers and assist them in meeting their employment needs.
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) - Focuses on the "Work first" philosophy, WIA offers re-employment services for disadvantaged youths and adults, those unemployed due to downsizing and those lacking competitive job skills. WIA also ofers years-round services short-prevocational services, job placement assistance, and skills enhancement.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Offers counseling, job readiness training, support services, assessment of skills and abilities, individualwork readiness training and intensive work search for those who have utilized maximum welfare benefits under the new guidelines and time limitations.
• Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSE&T) - Assist Food Stamp recipients to obtain employment by providing counseling, individual case management, job readiness training, transportation assistance and intensive work search to move them toward becoming employed and self-syfficient.
• Adult Basic Education for Welfare Recipients - basic literacy, remediation and GED preparation to combat education deficiencies preventing individuals from becoming and remaining employed. This is carried out through a collaboration with the public school system.

Workforce Solutions also helps workers retain jobs by offering services to addresses infrastructure issues:

• Child Care Assistance (CCA) - federal, state and local child care subsidies for children up to 10 years of age. Special funds are reserved for welfare families so parents may train and search for work.
• Transportation Services - Vouchers for transportation to and from work.
• Vision Correction - Vision screenings and necessary eyeware provided through a network of eye care specialists.

Workforce Solutions primary responsibility is to provide policy and program guidance and to exercise independent oversight of workforce activities, in partnership with local government. All services are provided through contractors, who are selected through competitive procurement processes.

Updated April 17, 2008