Derita Carter Takes Top Honors

One of our own has been named Georgia Department of Labor Manager of the Year.

Derita Carter, Dalton Career Center manager was honored at a joint meeting of the Georgia Employer Committee and the labor department held in Savannah.

“The department’s Career Center Manager of the Year Award recognizes the leadership and vision of the department in the critical area of customer service,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “Derita has built a strong working relationship with the chambers of commerce in Dalton/Whitfield County and Chatsworth/Murray County that has helped the department better serve the needs of the area’s employer community. Under her leadership, the Dalton Career Center’s One-Stop has been recognized as a model for the establishment of other one-stops across the Southeast. Her work with local employers and other workforce development partners, such as Dalton State College, the Northwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board, and related social service agencies, is an outstanding example of the cooperation needed to effectively meet the overall employment needs of a community.”

Ms. Carter is a member of the Dalton Employer Committee, the Dalton/Whitfield Committee for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, the Dalton/Murray One Stop Collaboration, and the local chambers of commerce. As the manager of Region 1’s full service one-stop she also participates in the Northwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the Region One Northwest Ga. Workforce Consortium.

Ms. Carter resides in Calhoun with her husband, David Carter, and son , Spencer Ruff.

Fall Youth Summit Activities

A regional Youth Summit was held November 16, 2002 at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Members of current youth councils or potential youth leaders were invited from each of the 15 counties in Region 1.

A group of students head back to the Center for lunch after outdoor activities.

The goals of the Fall summit were to develop a regional youth council to assist with regional plans; to provide leadership and training opportunities to enable youth to impact their community; and to provide inspiration and team building skills. The kids started the day with registration and welcome followed by outdoor “team building” exercises 

Lunch was catered by Chick-fil-a. After lunch youth and adults were treated to a session with Motivational Speaker, Lorenzo King Whitestone. The afternoon also included break-out sessions in which each group focused attention on one of the following topics: high school completion, career awareness, and substance abuse. They then met as groups from within each county to discuss county action plans.

Youth attend afternoon breakout sessions.

A follow-up summit is planned for Spring 2003.

Character Traits
Pride - A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect
It's better to be known by six people for something you're proud of than to be known by sixty million for something you're not. -Albert Brooks

Developmental Assets
Positive Identity: Self Esteem—Young person reports having a high self-esteem.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Bartow County Commissioner Clarence Brown recently spoke at the official dedication of the refurbished state-of-the-art Georgia Department of Labor Career Center in Cartersville. The dedication came during an open house sponsored by the Cartersville Career Center and the Cartersville Employer Committee.

“Our Cartersville Career Center is truly reflective of a transformation that is underway at the. Georgia Department of Labor,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “The changes that are coming to the Cartersville area and other parts of the state are bringing with them improved customer service through the use of modern technology and greater emphasis on employment and training services.”

County Commissioner Clarence Brown also feels that the change will be great for Bartow County and is a wonderful improvement over the old system. He feels that the new computers now available to customers will be a great help to them. He is most pleased with the availability of temporary office space for employer use while working in the Career Center.

The new career center will house the employment, unemployment, rehabilitation services, and unemployment tax representatives. A full range of services will be available to employers as well as customers utilizing the center.

The newly refurbished Career Center in Cartersville also has a new manager. Jerry Garland was named manager effective 1 August, 2002.

Mr. Garland came to the Department of Labor from the Judicial Branch where he served as Executive Director of the Georgia Courts Automation Commission. There he was responsible for defining, implementing, and administering a state-wide courts automation system and for providing advisory services to county and local governments to assist in guiding their efforts toward automating their court procedures and operations. Prior to coming to the State in January of 2000, Mr. Garland was the general manager of an Atlanta-based transportation company for eight years. He is a retired Air Force colonel with service as a plans and programs officer, recruiting commander, and personnel officer.

Jerry’s thoughts on the new Career Center as quoted in a recent GDOL news release are , “With the opening of this new facility, we will be able to take full advantage of our hard-won experience and understanding of this area’s workforce needs. The new tools that this center is equipped with enhance our ability to speed work search and claims processing, giving staff more time to work with employers and job seekers who can benefit from the extra attention.”

Jerry is a Georgia native having graduated from West Georgia College prior to joining the Air Force in 1968. He and his wife, Ann, have three children and reside in Cartersville.

Pride, self-confidence, and an attitude of hard work are qualities that the staff of Endless Opportunities strive to instill in students. NeQuila Arnold, a former JTPA participant served by Endless Opportunities participant has consistently demonstrated these qualities even after completing her training with Endless. NeQuila was recently chosen as Today’s Citizen in the Daily Citizen.

She has been successful in obtaining her GED and is currently attending Dalton State College where she is studying computers. Keep up the good work, NeQuila!

Other events Endless students participated in are attendance at “college day” at Northwestern Tech where they were given tours of the campus and classes offered.

Students also participated in the recycling efforts in Dalton by setting up recycling stations and handing out food. Brandon Silvers played the role of Recycling Ben.

Tyra Wingo, American Business 2002 Woman of the Year

2002 Woman of the Year—Tyra Wingo, the student services coordinator and an instructor at Chattahoochee Technical college has been selected 2002 Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). Ms. Wingo was recognized because of her dedication to her work. She is an inspiration to other business women. “Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.” These words have been a success formula and personal philosophy for Ms. Wingo.

Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.” Tyra Wingo 2002 Woman of the Year

She was also chosen by the students as staff member of the quarter for summer 2002. Tyra received her Masters in Psychology from State Univ. of West Georgia in 1995. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in higher education from Argosy University.

Kathy Williams, Dalton Career Center,
Named Diplomat of the Year

Kathy Williams, Employment Marketing Representative with the Georgia Department of Labor in Dalton was recently named Diplomat of the Year for 2002. Kathy is a member of the Dalton Employer Committee, Volunteer for Junior Achievement, the Chamber’s Education is Essential Committee, and the Chatsworth-Murray Chamber of Commerce.

“Being chosen as Diplomat of the Year is quite an honor that I greatly appreciate,” Kathy said. “Being a Chamber Diplomat is a great way to get involved in the business community and I enjoy getting to meet the new businesses in our area and also having the opportunity to be a part of a very valuable networking tool and one that has enabled me to make a lot of contacts in addition to the friends I have made through all our activities.”

“Kathy has been an outstanding volunteer this year and a wonderful representative of our community,” said Beth Morrison, Member Services Manager.

Congratulations, Kathy!

CVT Finds WIA Graduate Just Too Good to Let Go!

Coosa Valley Technical College has been so impressed with their WIA participants that they have hired seven of their most recent graduating participants. Pictured are six of the participants. Mary Akins works in the student services area, Arlette Harrell in instructional services/student services, Rita Smith, administrative services, Ethel Ball, student services, Rachel Howard, adult literacy, Jackie Hardy, economic development, and Annie Smith (not pictured) worked in the welfare to work program until it ended.

WIA grads (L to R) Mary Akins, Arlette Harrell, Rita Smith, Ethel Ball, Rachel Haward, Jackie, Hardy (not pictured—Annie Smith)

Congratulations to the participants for your achievement and to CVT for recognizing excellence in your graduates.

Cedartown High School graduate Juan Lara has been selected for a three-year chef apprenticeship program at the Barnesley Gardens Resort in Adairsville. Juan will work full-time under the supervision of Chef Charles Vosburgh while spending one day a week attending classes at Chattahoochee Technical College.

Juan Lara, Chef Michael Owens, Diane Lanham , and Russ Edge.

Juan received the apprenticeship through the Northwest Georgia RESA WIA Youth Apprenticeship Program. Juan has completed the Professional Foods Class taught by Diane Lanham at Cedartown High School. Russ Edge and the vocational department faculty selected Juan as the CHS 2001-2002 vocational student of the year. He also spent part of each school day as an apprentice at the Cherokee Golf and Country Club while enrolled in the Polk School District Youth Apprenticeship Program. While there, Juan received guidance from Chef Michael Owens and club manager Joel Johnson.

Northwest Georgia RESA coordinates apprenticeship efforts in Bartow, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, and Polk County high schools. The Youth Apprenticeship Program began in 1994 as a means to provide students with career training. Juan’s participation in the program was funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA utilizes federal grant money to assist with the costs of career training for youth, adults, and dislocated workers.

Juan is the son of Maria and Juan Martin Lara. Congratulations, Juan!

(source The Cedartown Standard)

ATANTA—State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond stated October 25th that the Georgia Department of Labor is taking immediate action to provide assistance to the 207 employees who will be laid off at the Shaw Industries’ plant in Ellijay. Thurmond said his staff has talked with employer and will work with local officials and community leaders to develop a strategy to deal with the plant’s closure.

“I I want to emphasize that they (Shaw employees) are not alone in dealing with this problem.”  
—Commissioner Thurmond

Congratulations to WIA staff , contractors, and community educators for completing training in the following Certified Testing areas:

Elaine Key—Haralson Board of Education
Sara Limbaugh—Haralson Board of Ed.
Harriet Anglin—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Brenda Brown—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Machelle Booker—Haralson Board of Ed.
Vickie Studdard—Haralson Board of Ed.
Phyllis Fitzgerald—Mercy Senior Care
Dixie Cook—Mercy Senior Care
Gerald Johnson—Endless Opportunities
Lori Fields—Chattahoochee Tech College
Bernice Jackson—Coosa Valley RDC
Lynn Huskins—North Metro Tech College

Elaine Key—Haralson Board of Ed.
Sara Limbaugh—Haralson Board of Ed.
Phyllis Fitzgerald—Mercy Senior Care
Dixie Cook—Mercy Senior Care
Gerald Johnson—Endless Opportunities
Lori Fields—Chattahoochee Tech. College

Harriet Anglin Machelle Booker
Dixie Cook Phyllis Fitzgerald
Gerald Johnson Lori Fields

Harriet Anglin—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Brenda Brown—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Machelle Booker—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Vickie Studdard—Chattooga Board of Ed.
Phyllis Fitzgerald—Mercy Senior Care
Dixie Cook—Mercy Senior Care
Gerald Johnson—Endless Opportunities
Lori Fields—Chattahoochee Tech College
Bernice Jackson—Coosa Valley RDC
Lynn Huskins—North Metro Tech College

Shay Thompson, a senior at Chattooga High School has been chosen to serve on the State of Georgia’s Youth Advisory Board for Tobacco Use. She recently wrote on article about her nomination and the plans of the board. In the article Shay stated the following:

“After being nominated by the WIA counselors, I completed the application process and was accepted to be a member of the Youth Advisory Board for Tobacco Use.

On September 28 and 29 I went with a group of students to the Marriott in Alpharetta, Georgia, for the first council meeting. We participated in different “getting to know each other” activities before we began our meeting. We discussed the affects of tobacco on the smoker and second hand smoke, the major tobacco companies and how their advertisements were geared towards teen-agers. Primarily, we were there to find out ways to expose the tobacco companies, create a name for our group (which is the XPOZ), and plan a tour to spread the word about the harmful affects of tobacco.

I am excited about the future meetings and how we, as teenagers, can impact Georgia with our views on tobacco use. “

Congratulations, Shay!

EARN and Ticket to Work

What Is the Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN)?

• EARN is a nationwide, federally-funded employer referral and technical assistance service. There is no charge for using EARN.
• EARN connects employers with job vacancies to employment service providers who have direct access to qualified, job-ready individuals with disabilities.
• EARN also provides technical assistance to help employers in locating appropriate organizations and information on related disability employment issues.
• The EARN network consists of (a) registered employers committed to hiring qualified job seekers with disabilities and (b) enrolled employment service providers who can meet the needs of these employer.

To register call 866-Earn Now (866-327-6669) (Voice/TTY) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern time. Or e-mail earn@earnworks.com.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Employment Support Programs SSA/OESP) is collaborating with EARN to enhance the Ticket to Work program. To increase employment opportunities for SSA beneficiaries, it is enrolling employment networks and State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies in the EARN service.

Passed by Congress in 1999, the Ticket to Work program is a concerted effort to help more SSA beneficiaries enter or re-enter the workplace. For more information, go to www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html. 

Have news of interest to NWGa? Send articles to Susan Gentry, P.O. Box 1793, Rome
GA 30162; susang@cvrdc.org; or phone 706.295.6485/fax 706.802.5567.