Refocus TN Workforce Convening

Tyra Copas (Moderator)
Assistant Administrator
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Matt Breedlove
CMRP, Manager Learning Pathway
Nissan Group of America

J. Paul Jackson
Chief Operating Officer
Thor Boats, LLC

Carri Smith
Human Resources Manager
Valmont Utility

Paul Jensen
Director of Culinary
The Dotted Lime

Jay Baker (Moderator)
Assistant Commissioner
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Lynda Huddleson
Adult Education Program Director - Putnam County
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Tonya Garrett
Adult Education Program Director
TCAT Knoxville

Lytania Black
Education & Workforce Coordinator
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Shannon Haston
Education & Workforce Coordinator
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Debbie Fillers
Education & Workforce Coordinator
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Dr. William Arnold (Moderator)
Reentry Director
TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Stephanie Gatewood
Reentry Director
HopeWorks - Memphis

Abigale Jasinsky
Deputy Director of Policy
Governor Bill Lee's Office

Rachel Zolensky
Director of Reentry and Student Success
TN Higher Education Initiative

Victoria Ricci
Case Manager Coordinator
TN Department of Correction

Stacee Kelly
Williamson County Court and Intake Specialist
TN Department of Correction

Optimizing Partnerships: Project Search (Governor's Ballroom AE)

A discussion about the nationally acclaimed program "Project SEARCH" for transitioning students with intellectual and developmental disabilities from high school into employment through internships at community businesses.

Integration of Labor Market & Strategic Planning: Developing Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Opportunites (Ryman Studios C)

A presentation will inform on key components of pre-apprenticeships, outline the benefits, and tips for developing strong partnerships for creating a registered apprenticeship program.

Engaging Employers: Back to the Basics of Business Services (Ryman Ballroom AD)

A panel discussion on highlighting what is Business Services, what are the characteristics of a great Business Service Team and who to engage with and cross-agency resources.

Serving Priority Populations: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) in Tennessee: Recovery through Employment (Ryman Studios DE)

IPS is a model of supported employment for people living with serious mental illness. Discover what IPS is and how rigorous research backs up its efficacy in supporting people to gain successful employment. Learn the Eight Practice Principles of IPS and how they are used by agencies to support jobseekers. Find out how Tennessee has grown its IPS initiative through established partnerships between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and the Tennessee Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

Optimizing Resources and Expanding Services: Inner City Outreach - Untapped Talent from the Community Organization Perspective (Ryman Studios AB)

A presentation from a local community organization to share strategies that reach, engage and encourage underserved populations to enter the workforce.

Optimizing Partnerships: TANF Opportunity Act: Redesigning the Safety Net (Governor's Ballroom AE)

A presentation on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Act to highlight the vision and funding opportunities that will be made available.

Integration of Labor Market & Strategic Planning: TN Workforce One-Stop Structure and Design (Ryman Studios C)

An open discussion to define the functional role of the One-Stop Operator with the American Job Center system.

Engaging Employers: Ensuring Robust Employer Engagements (Ryman Ballroom AD)

A panel discussion highlighting how we connect with local employers and how do we ensure that we have a highly trained and informed team.

Optimizing Resources: Virtual Access Points (Ryman Studios AB)

As part of Tennessee’s Back to Work strategy and broadband concerns, each Local Workforce Development Agency has been tasked with identifying sites, in each of their counties, where citizens can access a computer network to assist in their virtual job search efforts.

Optimizing Partnerships: TN Rehabilitation Center Pilot Project Highlights (Ryman Studios DE)

As part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, the Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers (CTRCs) are modernizing and revolutionizing by providing person-centered community-based employment services to individuals with disabilities. The session will focus on three pilots developed by the CTRCs to cultivate and maintain collaborative partnerships in the local community to foster and advance this service delivery model.

Integration of Labor Market & Strategic Planning: Utilizing Labor Market Information (Ryman Studios FG)

A discussion on accessing and utilizing Labor Market Information to guide strategic planning.

Engaging Employers: Strengthening Pipelines CTE & Workforce Board Collaboration (Ryman Ballroom AD)

A panel discussion on local collaboration efforts to strengthen workforce pipelines by engaging the Career Technical Education team, local employers, and Workforce Boards.

Serving Priority Populations: Addressing Child Care Needs for TN Workforce (Governors Ballroom AE)

A session that explores child care services, specifically, the Smart Steps program. Our presenters will share information concerning free, or reduced childcare costs, eligibility requirements, assisting businesses with on-site centers and much more.

Optimizing Resources and Expanding Services: Utilizing Systems to Support Workforce Development (Ryman Studios AB)

Exploring systems and platforms that are available to support TN workforce training and education. Exploring systems and platforms that are available to support TN workforce training and education.

Optimizing Partnerships: Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment and Unemployment Insurance Partnership (Governor's Ballroom AE)

A panel discussion with an overview of each program and how they work together as a team to optimize the services each provides.

Engaging Employers: Apprenticeship 101 and Identifying Opportunites (Ryman Ballroom AD)

Learn key components, the benefits, and developing strong partnerships for creating a registered apprenticeship program.

Serving Priority Populations: Serving the Veteran Population (Ryman Studios DE)

A discussion on the Jobs for Veterans State Grants program.

Optimizing Resources and Expanding Services: Health and Safety - Supporting the Workplace (Ryman Studios AB)

A presentation about consultant opportunities/benefits, removing barriers for employees/employers, and safely employing youth in the workplace.

Optimizing Partnerships: TN Pathways and Labor Workforce Board Collaboration (Ryman Ballroom AD)

Tennessee Pathways serves as a strategic partnership for local and regional labor and workforce development, connecting K-12 education, postsecondary institutions, and employers. Attendees in this session will learn how two local workforce boards leveraged their partnership with Tennessee Pathways to remove barriers and provide opportunities for their regions.

Engaging Employers: Talent with Disabilities: Recruitment, Retention, and Free Services Available to Support Employers (Governor's Ballroom AE)

Employers and organizational stakeholders will receive a conceptual overview for recruiting and retaining individuals with disabilities. The session will focus on the value that individuals with disabilities bring to the organization as talent and make the business case for intentional inclusion from this talent pool. Provide employers with an introduction to the Vocational Rehabilitation Business Service Unit and learn of no-cost support services and incentives available to employers in support of employing talent with disabilities.

Integration of Labor Market & Strategic Planning: Substance Use Conditions and How Employment Helps (Ryman Studios FG)

Presenters will discuss the current scope of substance use problems in the workforce, explore existing dynamics that exacerbate commonly encountered issues, and most importantly propose strategies for equipping workforce professionals to navigate the reality of substance use in the workforce effectively ensuring this priority population is best positioned for success. 

Serving Priority Populations: Work-Based Learning Youth Apprenticeship Roundtable (Ryman Studios DE)

A discussion with Industry, local CTE, and workforce board staff to have an open discussion on pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.