Jeffrey Mosher chats with Tekea Norwood, program compliance manager for Capital Area Michigan Works!

QUESTION: What is the WIOA youth program?

ANSWER: At Capital Area Michigan Works!, we work with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to provide services for youth. The purpose of the WIOA youth services is to assist young people, ages 14-24, who face significant barriers to success in the labor market, by providing resources and support to overcome those barriers and successfully transition to self-sufficient adulthood. WIOA

programs predominantly focus on “out-of school youth” (OSY). OSY refers to youth who are 16-24 years old, not attending any secondary or post-secondary school, and have one or more specific enumerated barriers, including being considered a school dropout, homeless, an

offender, being pregnant or parenting, having a disability or having aged out of the foster care system. WIOA provides for 14 different program elements. Not all participants who receive WIOA services will receive all 14 program elements, but all local areas must provide all 14 elements. In practice, WIOA Youth Program funding can be used for many activities, including:

1. Tutoring, study skills, training, instruction, and dropout prevention;

2. Alternative secondary school services;

3. Paid and unpaid work experiences;

4. Occupational skills training;

5. Education offered concurrently with workforce preparation and training for a specific occupation;

6. Leadership development opportunities;

7. Supportive services;

8. Adult mentoring;

9. Follow up services;

10. Comprehensive guidance and counseling;

11. Financial literacy education;

12. Entrepreneurial skills training;

13. Services that provide labor market information; and

14. Post-secondary preparation and transition activities

QUESTION: What is the importance of providing programs specifically for youth?

ANSWER: CAMW! is dedicated to preparing young adults in the region for post-secondary education and workforce readiness that will align with in-demand employment opportunities.

Preparing WIOA Youth participants through career preparation, academic skill achievement,

and occupational skills will assist in an increased opportunity for employment that will lead to sustainable self-sufficiency. Our youth programs operate in alignment with the CAMW! vision to enhance the quality and productivity of people and business by preparing a competitive and productive workforce.

Partner & Shareholder Ray Littleton and Associate Sydney Steele of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC's Southfield branch on the Michigan Business Beat with Chris Holman.

The pair discuss how while no one wants to be a defendant in a civil lawsuit, it is important to know exactly what to do when served with a Summons and Complaint. Ray and Sydney cover COVID business Liability immunity possibilities, potential claims against businesses, supply chain disruption, business disruption insurance claims, and what to do if served with a complaint.

Chris Holman welcomes Vicki Hamilton-Allen CEO, President, Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, Lansing, MI. Their discussion interviews to welcome Vicki to MBN as a new show host. Her show coming soon to MBN will be "Beyond the Mission". Chris finds out from Vicki about

1) her background/career trajectory,

2)her time as CEO, a reminder of the mission of Habitat for Humanity

3) What is "Beyond the Mission"? what will the show cover?

4) Why does she believe this is information the business community of Michigan should be getting?

Jeff Wesley, Executive Director, Michigan Rise, Cedar Ventures and Spartan Innovation, Lansing discusses:

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is dedicated to helping innovative tech startups move forward towards commercialization.

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III partners with outstanding Michigan entrepreneurs to ensure tech startups can thrive in Michigan and further its economic development.

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is made possible with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan State University Foundation.

Red Cedar Ventures is a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Foundation and a venture fund that accelerates the commercialization of startups for MSU technologies.

Fredrick Molnar, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation,

Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Detroit discusses

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is dedicated to helping innovative tech startups move forward towards commercialization. Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III partners with outstanding Michigan entrepreneurs to ensure tech startups can thrive in Michigan and further its economic development. Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is made possible with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan State University Foundation.

Red Cedar Ventures is a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Foundation and a venture fund that accelerates the commercialization of startups for MSU technologies.

Chris Holman welcomes Interim President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA) Board of Directors, Robert Benstein, to the Michigan Business Network. The industry has been impacted deeply by COVID19 which has heightened the level requirements an airport needs to adhere to. Following the executive orders of the governor, the Lansing airport is doing as much as possible to make the passengers and customers feel safe. This includes extra staff for cleaning, social distancing, hand sanitizer, sneeze guards, all other things to make them feel comfortable.

Chris Holman welcomes April Clobes to the Michigan Business Network. April is President & Chief Executive Officer of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU). MSUFCU recently expanded with two new branches during the COVID19 experience with openings in Holt and Traverse City, MI. Both branches are doing incredibly well.

Chris Holman welcomes CEO for Michigan Works! Association Luann Dunsford to the Michigan Business Network. The Michigan Works! Association offers a variety of training opportunities which is part of the three pillars of service that the association offers to its members. Luann explains how the Business Solutions Professional (BSP) program is essential to finding and boosting local talent. The BSP program adds an elevated level of knowledge and expertise that assists certified professionals in discovering new approaches to addressing customer needs. The BSP program is open to anyone who is interested in enrolling in it. You can learn more about the BSP program by visiting the Michigan Works! website at https://www.michiganworks.org/bsp-training

Economic development is always an exciting topic, especially as it relates to the Lansing region.

On this episode on Bottom Line IT, host Mike Maddox of ASK sits down with Keith Lambert of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Haochen Sun of Continental Oceans Technology Company (COTC).

COTC was born out of the desire to support international students coming overseas to the United States.

Economic development is always an exciting topic, especially as it relates to the Lansing region.

On this episode on Bottom Line IT, host Mike Maddox of ASK sits down with Keith Lambert of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Haochen Sun of Continental Oceans Technology Company (COTC).

COTC was born out of the desire to support international students coming overseas to the United States.