the president`s corner - Odle Management Group

An ODLE Newsletter
Volume IX , Issue 3
FALL
EDITION
2015
THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Maximum Performance Drives Success in our respective roles and functions, as we
continually provide our students with the maximum Job Corps services and benefits Our mantra that governs our operations.
Odle Management Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Odle Management Group and all of our Center Directors, management staff and students join with the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) in the launching of the Youth 2 Youth (Y2Y): Partners 4 Peace initiative. Y2Y was introduced by Job Corps
students to the Job Corps community through Information Notice 15-02. This notice provides resources for student
leadership to plan the project on Job Corps Centers and in their communities.
The Y2Y Student Ambassadors and leaders will continue to implement Y2Y on an ongoing campaign at each center. A
special week of awareness (official launch week) took place on September 14-18, 2015, that allowed the student leaders to
officially introduce Y2Y to their local communities.
The Y2Y launching activities in Long Beach were well-attended by distinguished guests from DOL, headed by Job Corps’
National Director, Ms. Lenita Jacobs-Simmons and Ms. Miles Galicia, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Regional
Office. For more information on Ms. Jacobs-Simmons’ visit to Long Beach Job Corps Center, please see the link:
https://blog.dol.gov/2015/09/17/introducing-youth2youth-partners4peace/.
We are also pleased to have the other distinguished guests and community leaders who attended the Long Beach Y2Y
launching: Ms. Julie Tran from Congressman Lowenthal’s office; Councilmember Roberto Uranga from the 7th District;
Ms. Tracy Colunga of Safe Committees Workgroup and Special Projects Officer for the Neighborhood Relations Division;
Lieutenant Michael Lewis of the Long Beach Police Department, West Division; Ms. Keeyon Layton, a 2004 Long Beach
Job Corps Center alumnus and our guest speaker; and Mr. Ken Bott, Long Beach Job Corps Workforce Council Chair.
Special acknowledgement to Los Angeles Job Corps Center Staff and Y2Y ambassadors who came and participated in the
Long Beach Y2Y program launching.
SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mr. Matthew Davis, Center Director, Mr. Peter Young, Finance and Administration
Director and Ms. Sandy Annino, Business Community Liaison of the Long Beach Center, that led the team of Y2Y
ambassadors, management staff, center staff and students, in making the Y2Y launching a major success! We also want
to extend our big thanks to all of the Y2Y ambassadors who made the national Y2Y launching an awesome success.
Ms. Miles Galicia, front left and Ms. Lenita Jacobs-Simmons,
Ms. Odle, far left; Mr. Davis, behind her; Ms. Jacobs-Simmons,
center front, with Y2Y student ambassadors.
center, and Ms. Galicia far right, pose with Y2Y students.
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THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER (cont.).
Now, let us continue our campaign for anti-violence and lead our Y2Y students in getting their voices heard! I
implore all of you to continue the positive press releases to the public about Y2Y; feature the many
accomplishments of our students, graduates, our centers; and all of the positive benefits of the Job Corps
Program to economically-disadvantaged youth we serve every day! ~ Lisa Odle ~
.
L to R: Michael Fernandez, New Orleans
Center Director with Kenneth Polite , U.S
Attorney for the Eastern District (Presidential
appointee) at Y2Y rally.
New Orleans city councilmembers with police
officers and students from a neighboring elementary
school attend Y2Y rally.
Neighboring
New
Orleans
elementary
student supports Y2Y rally with “Crime
Stopper” sign.
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IT’S ‘SAFETY FIRST’ AT LONG BEACH JOB CORPS CENTER
Sandy Annino, Contributor
Long Beach Job Corps staff recently participated in
intensive safety-related training as part of the Center’s
monthly All Staff Training. Role playing simulations
provided opportunities to practice how to respond to
commonly occurring situations. They also learned
appropriate action to take when encountering a safety
situation.
Staff members acted in eight scenarios consisting of
potentially serious situations on Center that have
necessitated Significant Incident Reports (SIRs).
Besides the major actors,
Paul Starson, Maintenance Supervisor, role plays a
other staff were to react
student engaging in activities violating center rules.
to each scenario and
take action to address
and resolve the situation in a safe, positive manner.
Additional staff members were asked to be invisible observers.
Left: Reginald Byers, Academic Instructor, demonstrates aiding Ms. Ravon Hardy,
Residential Advisor, acting as though she suffered a seizure.
Following each scenario, there was a discussion evaluating each group’s resolution of the
situation, resulting in the creation of best practices.
Safety and Security Manager Rashaun Ellis stated, “We created these scenarios as a means
to learn appropriate actions for resolving situations that could quickly escalate if not handled
properly.” Scenarios included suicidal ideation, physical altercation, sudden injury, alcohol
intoxication, missing safety equipment, addressing disrespectful students, etc.
Matthew W. Davis, Center Director, commended staff for
their quick thinking and ability to swiftly, safely, and
smoothly resolve the conflicts. “Many staff members
commented on this innovative training method, saying they
learned a lot. We plan to conduct more training utilizing this
model in the future,” said Mr. Davis.
Sr Mobile Advisor, Jody Yin, in a role with
a potential weapon.
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New Orleans Job Corps Center’s Highest Priority:
Protecting the Lives of Students and Staff
Randy Savoie, Contributor
In August, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) presented an interactive training on effectively handling
the occurrence of an active shooter on New Orleans Job Corps Center grounds. Their exercises
were designed to enhance the readiness of Center administrators and staff to respond to a real life
threat on campus.
The Department of Homeland Security defines
an “active shooter” as “an individual who is
engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in
a confined or populated area.”
Officers covered the three top responses to
be used if the situation arises: run, hide or
fight. They emphasized that everyone should
always have an escape route in mind and
evacuate regardless whether others agree to
follow. “Call 911 as soon as you are out of
harm’s way,” officers advise.
Their second recommendation is to hide out of
the shooter’s line of vision. Staff and students
should lock or block the door to their hiding
places and silence cell phones immediately.
A person should fight back as a final option — only if he feels his life is in danger. State police
officers recommend attempting to incapacitate the shooter with as much physical force as possible.
Throw items at the shooter, if feasible, with decisive and committed actions.
“We hope for the best but, nevertheless, have to always be prepared for the worst,” says New
Orleans Job Corps Center Director Michael Fernandez. “The active shooter training conducted by
the Louisiana State Police is part of an
ongoing program on our Center that will
involve a new emergency operation
plan, security system upgrades and
enhancements to the Center entrance.”
“Our top priority is, and always will be,
protecting the lives of our students and
staff,” said Mr. Fernandez.
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SAFETY IS #1 PRIORITY AT WHITNEY YOUNG
Jannette Sweeney, Contributor
In today’s society, safety concerns are prevalent; but not at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Job Corps Center. Students
and staff are kept safe, and “Charger Pride” instills constant vigilance. Their actions demonstrate that they take
safety very seriously!
Kentucky State Trooper, Jack Hedges
Pete Ford, Safety and Security
Manager.
Rhonda Carter, Residential Shift Supervisor,
attends Active Shooter Survival class.
Safety Officer, Tim Smith
From the beginning, students are welcomed at the security gate and introduced to the Security Department where
they learn safety measures for campus life.
“Safety Tim,” as he likes to be called, just joined the Whitney Young team in July, 2015. He comes with impeccable
credentials as a retired Air Force Veteran with Paramedic and Flight Paramedic knowledge. He also served as
Director of EMS / EM at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.
In July, Whitney Young Job Corps Center hosted Odle Management Group’s company-wide Summit for staff in
Social Development, Center Standards and Incentives, Safety and Security. Kentucky State Trooper, Jack Hedges,
gave a powerful presentation on Active Shooter Survival Skills. He covered the history and behaviors of prior active
shooters in the United States and tips to survive potential threats.
Students are also taking an active role in safety. Each dorm elects a Safety Leader who attends monthly safety
meetings and informs both staff and students of any concerns. The Safety Leader also works with Security to
conduct random inspections on vehicles as they enter and leave campus.
Career Planning Preparation and Counseling staff created “YOU MATTER” fliers identifying key contacts for anyone
who feels unsafe. Hazardous Materials instruction is part of the certification process for certain trades.
The most effective safety tool is the student, staff and visitor ID Badge. Everyone is given an ID Badge for their
protection. If someone is on campus without a proper ID badge, he will be stopped immediately.
There is a safety role for every person at Whitney Young Job Corps Center, and it is taken very seriously.
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ARKANSAS OA/CTS MOTTO: “BE CAREFUL OUT THERE”
Myrtis Rogers, Contributor
“Be careful out there” usually signals the end of Arkansas CTS conference calls. Why? Because safety
is essential to a successful business and its employees.
Every day OA/CTS workers travel to various destinations, interact with strangers, endure changing
climates and put themselves at risk by driving sometimes on
deserted roads.
Staff members are faced with unpredictable situations whenever
they leave the confines of their offices in search of a potential
student or job placement.
To increase safety and reduce mishaps, staff members of
Arkansas Job Corps’ OA/CTS team discuss daily the essentials of
practicing safety. Sometimes they use a fun and lighthearted
approach – other times it takes on a more serious tone. Either
way the message is loud and clear: because they are mobile,
usually working alone, and with strangers, they often place themselves in vulnerable positions.
There are fundamental safety strategies they utilize while traveling. Foremost, they never become so
anxious to get a placement or sign a student that they ignore their own instincts. One of their “rules
of thumb” is to be suspicious of everyone. They often use predetermined code words to alert their
supervisor or teammate of suspicious activities.
In Arkansas where summer temperatures reach triple digits with extreme humidity, they make sure to
stay hydrated. Lightweight clothing is essential, and they take advantage of air conditioning where
possible. In other words, they use common sense.
Staying safe during winter months means they check weather
reports, layer up and keep spare blankets in their trunk. On wet
or icy streets, they know to reduce their speed and turn into a
slide—rather than away from it—if their car starts slipping.
When they feel uncomfortable on wet roads, they pull over to
safety. They never attempt to cross running water.
The protocol for a flat tire is to slow down and grip the steering
wheel. They make sure not to slam on their brakes, but to gently
tap them instead. Then they drive on the flat tire to get off the
road. Before calling for help, they turn on their flashers. While
waiting for help, they stand about fifty feet away rather than
behind or on the side of the car.
A little paranoid? Maybe. Overly cautious? Probably so. But, Travis Gates, Admissions Counselor,
as the old saying goes: “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” And, foreground, and DeAngelo Hicks, Career
“Be Careful Out There.”
Transition Specialist, tackle car repair.
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Safety First: Journey to the Administration Building
Ranada Reid, Contributor
Odle Management OA/CTS staff were moved to the
Administrative Building at the Flint Genesee Job Corps
Center in July, 2015. Michigan OACTS/Flint staff offices
have been at the Center since the beginning of the
contract.
Formerly, ODLE staff were located in a private and
attractive office in the northwest corner of the campus.
However, the remoteness turned out to be burdensome
as well as a safety concern. Since staff is required to
escort all visitors to their designated areas and ensure
that they promptly depart Center after completing their
tasks, ODLE staff spent a lot of time escorting visitors.
There is a significant amount of visitor and student Mayssa Hodge, Flint Genesse Job Corps
traffic to the building. Every week Admissions staff Trainee, at front entrance gate of Job
Corps Center
meet with an average of 40 visitors in addition to
hosting open office hours to promote student retention. CTS staff meet trainees who
are preparing to leave the program and start working in their field. Post placement
students come to center to secure bus tickets, checks, update resumes, drop off pay
stubs, complete their FAFSA, and a variety of other CTS services.
Leotis Johnson, Center
Standard Incentive Officer,
This heavy traffic posed potential safety concerns
which prompted the Safety Team at Flint Genesee
Job Corps Center to move ODLE staff to the
Administration Building. Keeping the trainees,
staff, and visitors of the Job Corps Center safe is a
top priority for Center Standards Officer, Leodis
Johnson. “We want to ensure that doing business
here at the Flint Genesee Job Corps Center is a
safe and positive experience for all those who
enter into our gates,” stated Mr. Johnson. Now
visitors are serviced expediently at the front door.
Traffic is monitored by security staff. ODLE staff
are safe and well in Flint Michigan.
Flint Genesee Job Corps
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Team Building to Foster a Safe Working Environment in North Carolina
Dorothy Sidberry, Contributor
Road trips can bring people together, and that’s what the North Carolina OA/CTS staff experienced
during their annual Summer Staff Training. “Together in the Direction of Success” was the theme as
they gathered in their state capital, Raleigh, at the NC
Rural Center. Four groups of eight people engaged in a
team building exercise — planning a one way or round trip
anywhere in the USA on a budget of $500. Safety was a
key consideration on their limited budget which included
food, lodging, transportation, etc.
The goal of this team-building exercise was to collectively
experience the value of achieving a common goal through
open communication, respect for each other’s input and
creating a team plan. The bonding that resulted will provide
the foundation for a renewed focus on SAFETY from the
National Office.
Participants realize that safety in our working environments is crucial to generate a more cohesive
approach to team etiquette and overall service delivery to constituents. The goal is to demonstrate safety
among each other and within their respective locales. Safety will be included in OA/CTS orientations with
potential applicants. A Safety Topic will be incorporated in OA/CTS
staff conference calls, reinforcing that safety is everyone’s
responsibility.
The Youth2Youth: Partners 4 Peace is a great violence-prevention
initiative that North Carolina OA/CTS looks forward to supporting.
They will partner with their NC Job Corps Centers for the week-long
launch in September and thereafter.
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