St. Louis Workforce Development Board Meeting - September 24, 2025

The St. Louis Workforce Development Board convened on September 24, 2025, at 2:07 PM ET (though the meeting was called to order as the September 23, 2025, meeting per the transcript). 16 members were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting included a training session on board roles and responsibilities, approval of minutes and consent agenda, reports on new grant applications, upcoming events, and public comments. Key discussions centered on funding uncertainty, a shift toward apprenticeships, and the impact of proposed federal policies on workforce services.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the minutes from the July 22, 2025, meeting (motion by Charlotte Hammond, second by Julie Fickus, all in favor).
• The consent agenda, which included various committee reports, labor workforce participation data, and the fiscal monitoring report, was approved unanimously (motion by Eileen, second by Mike Newton).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monique White, Executive Director of All About Family One, a nonprofit providing healthcare, career mentorship, and substance use disorder services, addressed the board. She shared information about a U.S. Department of Labor grant opportunity for training workers in high-demand industries (posted August 7, 2025, deadline September 5, 2025). She expressed interest in partnering with SLATE and was directed to contact Svetlana for a follow-up meeting.
• Susan Huggin, a board member, dialed in but did not offer a public comment.

Discussion Items

• Board Member Spotlight: Dory Harris, a new board member, introduced herself. She owns a steel erection company with 40 years of industry experience.
• Staff Spotlight: Marilyn Aline was introduced as the new Fiscal Manager. She has over 25 years of accounting experience, most recently with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and Bell Fountain Rehabilitation Center.
• Training Presentation – Workforce Boards and Chief Elected Officials: Rochelle delivered a detailed presentation on the roles and responsibilities of the board and the mayor under WIOA. Key points:
  • The mayor appoints board members, creates bylaws, and is liable for grant funds.
  • The board is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated around 2019.
  • The board sets policy, analyzes labor market data, engages employers, and certifies one-stop centers every three years.
  • Conflict of interest rules require recusal for both pecuniary and organizational conflicts.
  • A 50% spending requirement on training for adults and dislocated workers in Missouri.
• Grant Applications and New Initiatives (Connie Johnson):
  • Applied for a $50,000 grant from the St. Louis Community Foundation for supportive services for adults seeking employment.
  • Applied for a WANTO grant with BioSTL to expand women's participation in apprenticeships and non-traditional occupations.
  • Applied for a Prison of Prosperity grant with CDA for re-entry programs; a pilot graduated 21 individuals.
  • Exploring a HUD Jobs Plus grant but struggling to identify a suitable residential community.
  • Preparing for the upcoming youth bill grant application.
• Upcoming Events (Shannon):
  • Apprenticeships and Trades Career Fair on September 25, 2025 (9 AM–noon), with over 40 employers and 85 pre-registered individuals as of the meeting morning.
  • Workforce Wednesdays (October 8 and 21, 1–3 PM) and Find a Job Fridays (October 17 and 31, 9 AM–noon) with 4–6 employers each.
  • Holly Jolly job fair on December 4–5, 2025.
• Conferences:
  • OWD annual summit at Lake of the Ozarks (Connie, Cassandra, and Marilyn attending).
  • Missouri Reentry Conference (business services team attending).
  • NAWDP Youth Symposium in New Orleans (Shannon attending).
• Executive Director Report (Connie Johnson):
  • Funding is secure for the current year, but future federal funding is uncertain; the agency is pivoting toward apprenticeships as a priority.
  • SLATE is being recognized at the NAACP dinner on October 4, 2025, with Congresswoman Maxine Waters as keynote speaker.
  • Collected data on tornado impact shows a significant demand for mental health services; an incident involving a homeless client expressing suicidal ideation highlighted the need for behavioral health resources.
  • Documentation requirements for service recipients (Teagle/SAVE system) are on hold but expected to be implemented, potentially creating barriers for citizens lacking IDs.
  • Personnel updates: new hires include Bilal Sadiqi (accountant), Angie Shivaria (contract compliance officer, fluent in Spanish); promotions include Demi Braggs (accounting coordinator), Levita Hunt (employment training specialist), and Svetlana (public information officer, meaning board liaison role will be filled separately).
• Board Member Jerry Bowles shared a best practice from West Central region: a re-entry poverty simulation for employers, in partnership with State Fair Community College and the Department of Corrections, to help them understand challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Board Member Charlotte Hammond raised concerns about the potential two-year limit on assistance in the proposed federal budget (Big Beautiful Bill), which could push many unprepared individuals into the workforce. Connie noted ongoing conversations with the Family Support Division and Department of Social Services.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved: Unanimous.
• Consent agenda approved: Unanimous.
• Motion to adjourn: Approved (motion by Jerry Bowles, second by Eileen).
• Next steps: The board will continue to monitor federal funding and may hold a special meeting if significant changes occur. The public information officer role will be posted. Svetlana will follow up with Monique White. The agency will continue pursuing grants and strengthening apprenticeship programs.