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Community Problems Assembly - November 10, 2005
First United Methodist Church of Tampa
Action Items and Background
At this Assembly the following action items were selected by member vote for directed actions by HOPE during 2005-06.
Researching and Issue Development Training - Resources
On December 8, 2005, some 15-20 HOPE leaders met at Hood Temple AME Zion Church to identify prelimary directions and to form a committee for each of the two problem areas set for this year. The following actions occurred:
Upcoming Meetings with Those Who Missed the Action
Wednesday - April 12, 1 pm - County Commissioner Kathy Castor (on Transportation). Meet at HOPE by 12:15 to prepare and then carpool to the County Center
Monday
-April 17, 10 am- Tampa City Council Member Kevin White (Wage and Transportation)
Meet at HOPE by 9:00 am to prepare and then carpool to Old City Hall
Problem - A lack of jobs, low wages, and a lack of benefits can cause even working families to live in poverty, resulting in reliance on social services, which hurts the local community both economically and regarding quality of life.
Issue - Currently under study to determine the best direction for action steps. In addition to the Living Wage, First Source Agreements are a strong possibility for these purposes. First source agreements deal with requiring business having contracts with a public source of funding (e.g. County, City, etc.) to first determine whether new hires from the local community will fill the needs.
Two items that were set as preliminary items at the December 8, 2005 Researching and Issue Development session
To Have an Effective Action, Each of the following Must be Accomplished for both Issues. You Can Help - Send an e-mail and ask what help a specific group needs. Needs for
Successful Action: |
| Build Support - Identify Allies in this work. Who will help support these actions? Who will come to the March 30 Action Assembly? |
| Identify Opponents - Who opposes these needs, why, and how? |
| Find examples - see below: |
| First Source (Job Training) Esamples |
| Most Recent Study on Minimum Wage Effects in Florida | ||||
| Living Wage (Historical Work) | ||||
Successful Effects of Action - Bus service is extended to midnight during the week and two extra hours on weekends on 9 bus routes in FY 2007. Began on November 9th 2006.
Problem - Public transporation in Tampa suffers from a variety of weaknesses that make it almost useless for many who need the service.
To Have an Effective Action, Each of the following Must be Accomplished for both Issues. You Can Help - Send an e-mail and ask what help a specific group needs. Needs for
Successful Action: |
| Build Support - Identify Allies in this work. Who will help support these actions? Who will come to the March 30 Action Assembly? |
| Identify Opponents - Who opposes these needs, why, and how? |
| Identify Examples of successes in other locations in these actions? |
Other Issues of Concern to HOPE, but not selected by the Membership for This Year's Priority List
Education
Problem - Many children in Florida are unable to read at grade level. Also, because education is vital for a democratic population, and beause less affluent schools and neighborhoods receive less support from the school system than do more affluent ones, the Hillsborough County education system requires continual supervision by community groups.
Issue - One issue that has been addressed in the passe, with the forthcoming universal pre-kindergarten schooling for all children, HOPE seeks to assure that the state provides more than mere day care. HOPE and other sister organizations in the DART network seek the inclusion of explicit language instruction that will enhance all childrens' likelihood of success in schools.
Healthcare
Problem - Many people cannot afford to go to a doctor when needed, which results in substantial long term costs to the community in the form of emergency and indigent hospital care.
Neighborhoods
Problem - For many Tamp neighborhoods the infrastructure (roads, lighting, etc.) us not adequately maintained by public support systems, or other problems relating to crime or drugs are not adequately policed.
Resources for the HOPE Community
| Jobs and Related Resources | Data and Other Resources |
| Education and Job Tranining | |
| Public Transportation |
Jobs and Related Sources (Back to TOP)
TampaBay Workforce Alliance (813) 740-4680 - Free services, work with job seekers and employers seeking jobs. They help find jobs, have a bank of computers for job seekers to use and help one determine what training might best fit an individual, either provide training or find a training locale and cover most, if not all costs of training (private, school districts, universities, community colleges, technical schools, etc.).
Employ Florida - The parent organization of the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance. Their logo is:
Looking for a job? Looking for employees? Look no Further
Hillsborough County Health & Social Services Department Employment Opportunity Program (EOP) - At eight centers throughout Hillsborough County, this group helps with (1) job readiness, (2) removing possible barriers to employment, (3) partnerships with employers, (4) referring job seekers to employers.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation - They are responsible for implementing policy in the areas of workforce development, welfare transition, unemployment compensation, labor market information, early learning and school readiness.
Florida Choices - Career development reources from the Florida Department of Education.
Education and Job Training (Back to TOC)
FACTs – Terrific resource for anyone seeking information regarding career, job training and/or general information. For Jobs, use the Career Planning Popup Menus Also, the TampaBay Workforce Alliance (813) 740-4680.
Florida Department of Education - Links to all types of education and workforce development.
Hillsborough County School District
GED (General Education Diploma) and ESOL/ESL (English as a Second Language)
Financial Aid Resources - For higher education
The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
Southern Regional Education Board - Great Resource for South East Region higher education information
State Support for Higher Education - Monies allocated by states to education beyond high school.
Data Sources and Other Resources (Back to TOC)
Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy - South Florida group that conducts research related to community social and justice issues.
The Census Bureau - Florida Information
Labor Market Statistics - Compiled reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for local regions.
National Center for Education Statistics - Vast amount of information on almost any topic relating to education and job training.
One Stop Management Information System (OSMIS) - Job seeker and employer labor market information (requires that one register to access services - this is free).
Public Transportation in Hillsborough County (Back to TOC)
Hartline - Busses throughout the city and county. Discount Fares and Express Busses are available.
Streetcar - Connects downtown to Central Ybor.