It is hard to believe we are in the last few months of 2024. This year continues to fly by, we held an informative Budget Workshop last week and have some other exciting initiatives to share in this month’s newsletter. 

Mark your calendars as we have added new Neighborhood job fairs to our calendar in September, with our biggest (and favorite) event of the year in November. We see no signs of slowing down! 

This is a popular meeting where we hear from our elected officials. We have other important agenda items including: the FY 2025 Budget, contract renewals and selecting the Executive Search Consultant.

Please enjoy the August newsletter and try to stay cool! Above all else, I encourage you to reach out to us if you need assistance. We are here to help Tarrant County!

Phone: 817.413.4000

Email: info@workforcesolutions.net

Live Chat: Via our website, workforcesolutions.net



Sincerely,

Featured in this month's newsletter:

• Recent WSTC Press Releases
• Board Member News
• Child Care News
• Workforce Updates
• WSTC Resources
• WSTC Alerts, Live Chat & Career Exploration

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is proud to announce that we were awarded one of the Texas Talent Connection grants funded by the Office of the Governor Greg Abbott. We will use the $350,000 grant for our Neighborhood Initiative Strategy project serving Tarrant County. 

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) announced the retirement of its Executive Director, Judy McDonald, effective January 2025. McDonald has led the organization for 28 years, during which time WSTC has grown to become an award-winning, respected leader in the public workforce development arena at both the state and national levels.

Congratulations to all the FW Inc. Top 400 Most Influential People in Fort Worth. We are especially proud that it featured our three Workforce Governing Board Members Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. The magazine also featured two of our Workforce Development Board Members: Rosa Navejar and Estrus Tucker as well as our Executive Director, Judy McDonald!

Congratulations to all!

The Fort Worth Chamber hosted the State of the County Luncheon on Friday August 23rd. The event featured Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare who gave his insights on Tarrant County's growth over the past year.

Executive Director, Judy McDonald and Business Services Director, Steven Gonzalez enjoyed the discussion.

Every year, the DFW Hispanic 100 recognizes two outstanding Latina leaders for our Latina Living Legend and ELLA Awards. This year, we are proud to announce that their 2024 winners are Board Vice-Chair Rosa Navejar and Raquel Amparo! Congratulations.

ADFW Family Child Care Network’s Gala was held on May 4^th at Live by Loews. This event is held annually to recognize and honor family child care providers, child care advocates, and community partners. Our very own Jerletha McDonald was the host of this event. Felicia Davis, our Child Care Board representative, was named as the “Center of the Year” award recipient at the event. Congratulations to Jerletha for a successful event and to Felicia for your award.

Congratulations to Grace Vega and Gaylord Texan. The Gaylord is part of the Project SEARCH initiative and recently our state won big at the Project SEARCH National Conference held in Albuquerque. Fifteen of the state’s 30 Project SEARCH sites took home awards for excellence for the 2022-2023 school year. Gaylord was included in this honor.

These awards represent the ongoing commitment of each employer in hosting students during the school year. They are also a testament to the hundreds of partners that make these successful outcomes possible. These partners, including businesses, ISDs, employment providers, and parents and guardians, work with TWC’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program to champion students along their journey.

Since we last met, Dr. Di Ann Sanchez has been traveling the U.S. educating HR professionals on ethics and how companies can implement it in their initiatives.

This week she will be at the Tennessee SHRM state conference in Memphis. Where she will be speaking on Ethical Agility.

What an HR Champion!

The Fort Worth Chamber hosted the 2024 Young Professionals Summit last week at the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel. The event, featured engaging panel discussions on financial literacy, mentorship, and the future of work, moderated by some of the best minds in our community.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County was proud to have two workforce champions on the Future of Work Panel. It featured, Board Member Mike Coffey as the moderator and our own Renee Parker, Industry Services Unit Director as one of the industry experts. The group was also joined by Michale Sherrod and Netty Matthews.

TWC is hosting THREE Texas Rising Star Early Educator Conferences this year. The first two have already taken place: Arlington, TX in April and Houston, TX in July. The next one is taking place in Dallas in October. Our very own Child Care Industry Support Coordinator, Cindy Largent, is a presenter at all three conferences this year and is discussing “Entrepreneurship in Child Care” and “Navigating the Child Care Industry”.

Nicole Allen, Cindy Largent, and Morgan Armstrong attended the National Research Conference on Early Education in Arlington, VA in June. This national conference showcases some of the latest research around the child care industry. These ladies were too busy soaking up the information to get a group picture; however, they did capture a picture of two TWC representatives presenting their research on non-traditional hours in child care.

Cheers to the 2024 Early Education Apprenticeship Program Graduates!

They graduated on August 10th we join Camp Fire First Texas in celebrating these amazing graduates. The hard work they've put in to advance their education and careers in early childhood education is inspiring. These graduates are now ready to take on the important role of shaping the future workforce.

Congrats, Graduates.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas and Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas partnered for yet another year to host a local child care conference on July 18^th in Plano. 

This year, all 3 Workforce Boards teamed together to host the “Today Is Not Your Tomorrow” conference for Texas Rising Star Mentors and support staff. Workforce Solutions Northeast and Workforce Solutions Texoma, Texas Rising Star Mentors attended the event as well. The event was hosted as a day to provide targeted professional development to Texas Rising Star Mentors, recognize their hard work with local Early Learning Programs, and to celebrate their successes in promoting quality child care practices through the Texas Rising Star program. This event highlights the continuous spirit of regionalism and collaborative work within child care supports.

Thank you to Councilwoman Gyna M. Bivens and the City of Fort Worth for recognizing WSTC for our work with young adults and apprenticeships.

We were presented with a proclamation celebrating Youth/Young Adult Apprenticeship Week! We were honored to have the Taste Project join us along with a former young adult apprentice from our Fort Worx Program who is now working with the Taste Project.

Did you know we have a paid internship program? You can gain skills like Jennifer which will help you on your career path. Contact us today and learn more about how you can be part of our Paid Internship Program!

📞 817.413.4000

💻 info@workforcesolutions.net

💬 chat with staff M-F 8am to 5pm on our website

🌐 www.workforcesolutions.net

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County has a lot of great job fairs planned for the last half of the year, including two at our new Neighborhood Community Center locations. Check out the links below for more information including how to register.

Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Success Stories

Our AEL Graduates have a special place in our hearts. We have enjoyed cheering them on as they reached their educational goals.



Check out Robin’s story, through all the challenges in her life

she pushed forward with her goals for her family.

She was one of our Honor Students and we are SO proud of her success.



 Way to go Robin!

Check out Elsa’s story, she accomplished a lifelong goal and is such an inspiration to her children!

Way to go Elsa!

Check out Carisal’s story, she not only got her GED but was one of our Honor Students, what an accomplishment! We are sure her son is proud and as inspired as we are.

Way to go Carisal!

WSTC supports school supply drive

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) continues to demonstrate its commitment to support community initiatives. In partnership with the Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County, WSTC staff voluntarily contributed to a school supply drive benefiting Sunrise McMillan Elementary school located in the Stop Six area in Fort Worth. Throughout the months of June and July, WSTC staff members contributed an abundance of school supplies to ensure 382 students enrolled at Sunrise Elementary would be equipped to begin the school year with adequate supplies. Additionally, WSTC staff contributed $500 in gift cards, together with the Fatherhood Coalition’s contribution of $450 in gift cards to ensure additional supplies could be purchased as needed.

On Friday, August 9, several WSTC staff joined by Fatherhood Coalition members, loaded up their vehicles and delivered all donated school supplies to the school-- much to the delight of the school principal, Ms. LaTres Cole. On Saturday, August 10, parents and children were invited to the school to pick up free school supplies that were neatly organized by grade levels from pre-K to 5th grade. Congratulations to all who participated in helping parents and students at Sunrise McMillan Elementary begin their school year with a smile.

Welcome to our new WSTC Staff Member, Karen Blue, AEL Planner/Contract Manager.

Dr. Blue earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Concurrent volunteer work with at-risk high school students inspired her to earn a Texas teaching certificate for 6-12 Biology incorporated into a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She later completed a PhD in K-16 Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with research on the postsecondary academic success of GED completers compared to that of traditional high school graduates. Both graduate degrees were completed at the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Prior to joining WSTC, she worked over 20 years in education including teaching 7th grade science in 3 local ISDs and serving as an administrator for teacher preparation and later the Business/Computer/Math/Science division, both at Mountain View College.  The last ten years, she has served adult education and literacy students in Tarrant County as part of the Arlington ISD team. This included teaching ESL and GED classes, developing curriculum, training teachers, and partnering with training providers to assist customers in earning industry recognized credentials. 

Dr. Blue is passionate about serving the community. She is energized when customers overcome barriers and advance in their education, skills, and career.

Karen reports to Jauneen Maldonado, AEL Director. Welcome to the team Karen!

We are thrilled to share that the second edition of North Texas NEXT: A Guide to Life After High School has been released. This comprehensive career exploration guide is being distributed to more than 600 schools and dozens of workforce centers across the region. Including at our local Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Offices.

North Texas NEXT is designed to inspire and guide students toward promising careers in some of North Texas' most in-demand industries. This 84-page publication is packed with success stories from young professionals who are thriving in their fields, providing students with a tangible look at the opportunities that await them.

 Check out the latest edition below!

Did you know that Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County added two new satellite offices to our list of 5 workforce center locations around Tarrant County.

We are your Employment and Training Resource! If you are headed to the Northside or MLK Community Center, stop by and see us!

Tuesdays and Wednesdays : 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Northside Community Center Location: 1100 NW 18th St, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Community Center Location: 5565 Truman Dr., Fort Worth 76112

WSTC Biz Boost

We have started a new event series for our Employers. WSTC Biz Boost, is a networking event designed to elevate business connections. Our employer services team facilitated a collaborative platform where entrepreneurs, professionals and business owners came together to share insight, exchange ideas and forge meaningful relationships. 

Facilitated quarterly around Tarrant County our team highlighted the latest programs we oversee to help assure that the businesses in our area remain competitive and grow jobs while giving employers in the area a chance to connect. We will include other partners in these events to include the locals Chambers, etc. 

The second event was held July 9th at the fabulous Artes de la Rosa on the Northside of Fort Worth. Our attendees were able to view fabulous art, network, learn about our services and they enjoyed food from Casa Azul. We had over 40 employers and staff in attendance and it was a great way to introduce our services to the employers in the area. We are already working on our next event which should be in October and in the Alliance Area.

Job Seeker Booklet

We have just finished updating our Job Seeker Booklet. This is a wonderful resource as it touches on all the services, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County has to offer. Check it out!

Quick Training for Good Jobs Booklet

This was developed to highlight target occupations in Tarrant County that require quick obtainable certifications/credentials. You can learn more about duties, pay and demand for each occupation in this booklet.

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Workforce experts are here to assist you with all your employment and training needs. Want to know when our next workshop is? Have a WorkinTexas.com question? Want to know about our upcoming Job Fairs?

We are here to help Tarrant County!

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The possibilities are endless, let your curiosity be your guide! Make an appointment and start exploring today.