The Workforce Plan Phase II

THE WORKFORCE PLAN

for Thomasville-Thomas County

PHASE II

2 0 2 3 2 0 2 4

Project Timeline

Committees meet to narrow goals and strategies

Committees meet to narrow goals and strategies

Phase II released

Phase II presented at School 2 Business Summit

Phase II presented to civic groups, council and commissioners

Phase II presented to civic groups, council and commissioners

Committee Checkin Early Learning/Childcare

Longest Table Event

TOPIC: Early Learning/Childcare

Apr

Committee Checkin Literacy

Longest Table Event

TOPIC: Literacy

Committee Checkin Pipelines to PostSecondary

Longest Table Event

TOPIC: Pipelines to Post Secondary

Committee Checkin Worker Barriers

Longest Table Event

TOPIC: Worker Barriers

Phase II full progress update at School 2 Business

Summit 2024

Phase II KPI dashboard release

Early Learning and Childcare

GOAL: INCREASE AWARENESS AND USE OF CHILDCARE TAX CREDITS.

ACTION STEPS 1 2 3

Research existing programs across the state using childcare tax credits.

Disseminate information to businesses regarding childcare tax credit and increase use of employer childcare tax credit.

Recruit childcare providers willing to "set aside" spots for businesses.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ACTION ITEMS

Add the following items to Master Resource List: DCAL list of licensed and QR providers, list of exempt providers, school contacts for childcare educators (SRTC, TU, TCCHS, THS), advocacy groups including Voices for Georgia's Children and GCCA.

Discuss potential to use ParentChild+ as a pipeline for a pilot program supporting early childcare scholarships (Can this sort of "study" program be supported by L4GA?)

Continue to pursue "One Stop Shop for Families" (April 2024 grant from Georgia Family Resource Center)

Literacy by 3rd Grade

GOAL: SUPPORT LITERACY FOR THOMAS COUNTY TO ALIGN AND ELEVATE LOCAL LITERACY ADVOCATES.

ACTION STEPS 1 2 3

Engage a marketing or communication firm to create literacy campaign that includes relevant data (i.e. importance of 3rd grade).

Prioritize volunteer needs in after-school, birth-to-five, church, and summer programs based on literacy data from schools.

Select preferred training program for literacy volunteers going into afterschool, early care, church, and summer programs.

Continue success of literacy fairs into surrounding county seats. 4

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ACTION ITEMS

ENTITY RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE

Q3

Literacy for Thomas County/ Family Connections Q4

Literacy for Thomas County/ Family Connections

Literacy for Thomas County/ Family Connections

Q3 2023 Q1 2024

Allow program specific donations (i.e. Dictionary Project, etc) on the Donate page on literacyforthomascounty.org.

Committee Champion: Rainey Campbell (Secure Record Solutions)

Original committee has transitioned to Literacy for Thomas County (www.literacyforthomascounty.org).

Pipelines to Post-Secondary

GOAL: INCREASE AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN K-12 'WORK READINESS' PROGRAMS FOR HIGHDEMAND, HIGH PAYING JOBS.

ACTION STEPS 1 2 3

Prioritize "credentials of value" based on current needs.

Create high impact multi-media campaign to promote "credentials of value" and local training opportunities targeted to K-12 parents, teachers/counselors, and students (Use HOPE Career List to guide).

Expand Project Purpose to include Elementary, Middle, and High School components.

4

Use K-12 Innovation Day to highlight the videos and promote problem-solving, AI awareness, and STEAM skills.

Measure and report student interest and participation in programs ending with "credential of value" (including baseline GED program). 5

Committee Champion: Brittany Bryant (SRTC)

Rhea Brashear (SRTC) | Adrian Burns (The Gathering Place) | Kimberly NeSmith (Thomasville City Schools) | Beth Adams (Thomas County Schools) | Christina Reneau (SRTC Foundation) | Danniell Slocumb (TNB) | Alex English (Vashti) | Chris Newman (Archbold) | Guy Smith (FPL Foods) | Andy Semones (SRTC) | Amy Carter (SRTC)

Worker Barriers

GOAL: FACILITATE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND UNDERSTANDING AROUND IDENTIFIED WORKER BARRIERS.

ACTION STEPS 1 2 3

Use Chamber Connects and School to Business Summit to introduce non-profit / service providers to businesses. Topics include worker barrier pinch points.

Create and distribute Master Service Directory (online version).

Deepen business understanding of the resources through e-Newsletter, Let's Talk Thomasville podcast ("Workforce Solutions" series), and events (Chamber Connects, School to Business).

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ACTION ITEMS

Continue to pursue opportunities for a transportation pilot program.

Use other "barriers" (affordable housing, transportation, childcare, literacy) to build directory and programs.

Committee Champion: TBD

Q2 2023

Barbara Anderson (First Commerce Credit Union) | Cynthia Drayton (Georgia Department of Labor) | Alston Watt (Williams Family Foundation) | Nanette McRae (Hood Industries) |

Stephanie Hiers (Habitat for Humanity) | Sharon Edwards (Community Outreach Training Center) | Landis Thomas (New Hire Solutions) | Audrey Linder (NAACP) | Ricky Zambrano (City of Thomasville) | Robin Witherington (Oil Dri) | Rich Massa (Habitat for Humanity)

Communication & Relationship

GOAL: CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIC CONVERSATIONS ACROSS IDENTIFIED GAPS (RACIAL, ECONOMIC, CITY/COUNTY, NEW RESIDENTS).

ACTION STEPS 1 2 3

Create quarterly "longest table" events to gather input and report on each working group (i.e. Nov on Early Childcare, Jan on Literacy, April on Pipelines, July on Worker Barriers).

Host a "Train the Trainer" in Reflective Structured Dialogue with champions and stakeholders.

Include Reflective Structured Dialogue training and conversations in adult and youth leadership programs.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/ ACTION ITEMS

Create inclusive committee for each of the events.

Use other "barriers" (affordable housing, transportation, childcare, literacy) to build directory and programs.

Committee Champion: Lauren Futch (Big Oak Benefits) Naomi Stifter (Check-Mate Industries) Jeremy Emmett (Marriott Hotel) | Shirley Jackson (NAACP) | Chris White (City of Thomasville) | Haile McCollum (Fontaine Maury) | Dr. Shawn Stifter (Check-Mate Industries) | Sonia Vick (Williams Family Foundation) | Amy Maison (SRTC) | Scott Chastain (City Councilman) | Chandler Hurst (New Hire Solutions) | Ucher Dent (Juneteenth of Thomasville-Thomas County) | Earl Williams | Lucinda Brown (NAACP) | Tanya Gavin (Goodwill) | Ricky Zambrano (City of Thomasville)