HOUSE MEMORIAL 38

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Patricia A. Lundstrom

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING STATE AGENCIES TO LOCATE IN ONE-STOP CENTERS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SERVICES IN CENTRALIZED AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature appropriates funds to state agencies for services to residents and such services are provided through stand-alone sites, including child care, human services, economic development, workforce employment and training, transportation and public and higher education; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico residents must travel from one location to another to obtain various services offered by state agencies, and the service providers create physical and financial hardships for job seekers, employers and the business sector in obtaining such workforce-related services in a timely and efficient manner; and

     WHEREAS, locating agencies and services in one-stop centers will enable the system to more effectively coordinate and provide services to targeted populations in need of such services with minimal interruption and confusion; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 requires state and local governments to achieve established performance measures in order to qualify for federal incentive funds; and

     WHEREAS, the Workforce Development Act and state workforce partner agencies are working toward meeting federally mandated performance requirements to qualify for federal incentive funds; and

     WHEREAS, the failure of state workforce partner agencies to contribute to the fiscal operation and maintenance of one-stop centers affects the full array of services to employers, job seekers and others;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the coordination oversight committee, the office of workforce training and development, the state workforce development board and other partner agencies be requested to facilitate the coordination of one-stop centers for state agencies in order to integrate activities and streamline the accessibility, availability and universal access to workforce services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all state and partner agencies co-locate in at least two comprehensive one-stop centers in each of the designated workforce development areas prior to June 30, 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies contribute financially to a cost allocation plan or resource-sharing agreement for the operation, administration and maintenance of the one-stop centers in accordance with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to ensure that quality services and support can be provided and maintained; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the coordination oversight committee and the office of workforce training and development report achievements of such co-locations with established performance measures and recommendations for workforce program improvements to the legislature no later than September 1 of each year; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the coordination oversight committee, the state workforce development board and the office of workforce training and development establish a common data intake and reporting system for local workforce boards for the purposes of standardizing common goals and performance accountability; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of labor, the secretary of human services, the secretary of public education, the secretary of higher education, the secretary of economic development, the secretary of children, youth and families, the state workforce development board, the director of the office of workforce training and development, the local workforce development boards and other partner agencies.

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