Committees

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Executive Committee

Updated member list coming soon

The composition of the Executive Committee of the WIB includes the Officers of the WIB, the Immediate Past Chairperson, the Chairpersons of all standing committees and a Member At-Large.

The Executive Committee works closely with city, county, and state economic development agencies, as well as business leadership, to develop policy recommendations, which will coordinate and strengthen all economic development in the WIB. In the event issues arise between WIB meetings, the Executive Committee can act on behalf of the whole WIB to resolve and ratify agreements. Any actions taken by the Executive Committee must be ratified by the WIB at the next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

The goals and objectives of the Executive Committee include:

Leadership and planning functions including the development of policy recommendations for overall workforce strategic planning.
Ensure the continuity of the WIB’s mission in all areas.
Discussing and developing strategies for cultivating a strong relationship with the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Identifying and cultivating relationships with key leaders in the community.
Reviewing periodic reports.
Developing an annual budget for approval by the Chief Elected Official with ratification by the Board and monitoring fiscal expenditures against the adopted annual budget.
Reviewing and negotiating with the State on annual performance measures; reviewing performance reports on a frequent basis.
Attending local and State meetings that support the work of the Board and enhance the leadership of the WIB.

Youth Investment Council

Scott Kuchinsky, Plainfield Public Library (Chair)
Antonio Rivera, Union County Workforce Development Board
Lisa Bonanno, Union County Workforce Development Board
Meredith Barracato, Union County Workforce Development Board
Perle Almieda, American Job Centers
Robert Croom, American Job Centers
Nasrene Mondol, American Job Centers
Isaias Rivera, Union County College
Jas Verem, International Rescue Committee
Veronicah Mwaniki, International Rescue Committee
Alison Milan, International Rescue Committee
Debbie Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services
Melissa Lespinasse, Union County Department of Human Services
Hawa Bonds, Union County Division of Youth Services
Latoya Bennet, Union County Division of Youth Services
Juanito Chiluisa, NJ Department of Labor
David Moskowitz, NJ Department of Labor
Alisha Capicchioni, Job Corps
Victoria McCormick, Job Corps
Julia Gibson, Job Corps
Barbara Johnson, Elizabeth Housing Authority
LaChelle Thompson, Elizabeth Housing Authority
Catherine J Hart, Elizabeth Housing Authority
Merlis Miranda, United Way of Greater Union County
Juanita Vargas, United Way of Greater Union County
Gwen Ryan, UC Vocational-Technical Schools
Lisa Tauscher, UC Vocational-Technical Schools
Syreeta V. McClain, UC Vocational – Technical School Simon Youth Academy
Jasmine Lee, UC Vocational – Technical School Simon Youth Academy
Crystal Ahearn, Elizabeth Public Schools
Bruce Elfein, Elizabeth Public Schools
John Markowitz, Elizabeth Public Schools
Donald Stewart, Elizabeth Public Schools
Zelda Spence, Plainfield Public Schools
Ayesha Howard, Plainfield Public Schools
Evenide Fanfan Vilcean, Roselle Public School
GeorgeAnn Reyes, NJ COURTS
Agnes Ekama, NJ COURTS
Edward Steed, NJ COURTS
Marshall Christie, CAU
Emelie Towens, CAU
Josh Bornstein, UC Educational Services Commission
Michael Kowalski, UC Educational Services Commission
Dr. Rashara Fuller, Plainfield Action Corp
jensine Wright, Plainfield Action Corp
Susana Mateo, Elizabeth Public Schools K-8
Marie Thelusma, Chase Boxwood Learning Center
Laura Desiderio, Boxwood Learning Center
Dr. Elizabeth Ramos, Ed.D., Union County College
Nedia Morsy, Make the Road New Jersey
Barbara Ziobro, Youth Services Commision

The role of the Youth Investment Council is to establish and implement a strategic plan for developing a system of youth services capable of preparing youth for further education and future employment.

The Youth Investment Council is responsible for developing a comprehensive, integrated and coordinated system of youth services that effectively prepares young people for higher education and future employment. Goals and objectives include:

Developing and communicating a strategic vision for how the local area will ensure that its targeted youth are adequately prepared for education and employment opportunities. This vision is comprehensive and integrates all educational, employment and supportive service resources.
Developing policies grounded in best practices for youth that support the State and local vision.
Setting standards of service that clearly communicate high expectations, accountability and a focus on youth customers. These standards integrate best practices in youth and workforce development and focus specifically on ensuring that youth have the opportunity to develop career plans that will engage them in life-long learning and future employment.
Development of a Youth Investment Strategic Plan.
Engaging in ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders—businesses, schools, youth providers, parents and youth themselves—to identify needs, possible gaps in service and to map available resources.
Forging strong partnerships with the K-12 system, providing resources about careers and labor market information and ensuring that youth and parents have the information they need to make informed choices about their education and future employment.
Setting service priorities and determining how resources can best be used to meet the needs of young people.
Coordinating local resources, programs and policies with Federal, State and Regional initiatives to make the most effective use of funds.

American Job Center Committee

Krystal Canady, Chair, The Gateway FAMILY YMCA (Chair)
Colleen Clayton , THE GATEWAY FAMILY YMCA
Julio Sabater, Workforce Advantage
Yunia Labaut, Workforce Advantage
Antonio Rivera, Union County Workforce Development Board
Carolina Marin, Union County Workforce Development Board
Lisa Bonanno, Union County Workforce Development Board
Meredith Barracato, Union County Workforce Development Board
Perle Almieda, Union County American Job Center
Robert Croom, Union County American Job Center
Nasrene Mondol, Union County American Job Center
Debbie Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services
Melissa Lespinasse, Union County Department of Human Services
Barbara Bagger, Literacy New Jersey
Dr. Lisa Hiscano, Union County College
Isaias Rivera, Union County College
Marlene Loff, Union County College
Scott Kuchinsky, Plainfield Public Library
Debbie Walter, Union Public Library
MaryFaith Chmiel, Elizabeth Public Library
Jeff Cupo, Elizabeth Public Library
Nancy Berkenfeld, Elizabeth Public Library
Veronicah Mwaniki, International Rescue Committee
Alison Milan, International Rescue Committee
Debbie Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services
Melissa Lespinasse, Union County Department of Human Services
Hawa Bonds, Union County Division of Youth Services
Latoya Bennet, Union County Division of Youth Services
Valerie Hendon, Elizabeth Public School
Dr. Lyle Moseley, Elizabeth Public School
Juanito Chiluisa, NJ Department of Labor
David Moskowitz, NJ Department of Labor
Alisha Capicchioni, Job Corps
Julia Gibson, Job Corps
Dolores Makrogiannis, Easter Seals
Alma Wilson- Ward, Easter Seals
LaChelle Thompson, Elizabeth Housing Authority
Marissa Caponera, Elizabeth Housing Authority
Catherine J Hart, Elizabeth Housing Authority
Cathy Waters, Urban League
Nicole DeAugustine, Office on the Homeless & Housing C of C
Elizabeth Paskewich, Division of Individual and Family Support Services
Eva Altidor, Division of Individual and Family Support Services
Christina Topolosky, Division of Individual and Family Support Services
Christine Backiel, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services
Edgar Lopez, Elizabeth Developmental Corporation
Elizabeth Granovsky, NJ Renetry Corp
Edward Faver, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Hector Smith, The Family Resource Network
Herb Cesar, America’s Small Business Development Center
James Horne, United Way of Greater Union County
Juanita Vargas, United Way of Greater Union County
Syreeta V. McClain, Simon Youth Academy
Jasmine Lee, Simon Youth Academy
Kamili Williams, Department of Social Service
Tina Lopez, Department of Social Service
Diana Calle, MPA, Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs
Nedia Morsy, Make the Road New Jersey

The One-Stop Committee is charged with oversight of the One-Stop System including monitoring performance and program enrollments, ensuring WIB Plans are being carried out as they relate to One-Stop System services, and mediating disagreements among the Partners. Because of its oversight role, this Committee must be comprised of Board members who do not represent providers of One-Stop services such as private sector and labor organization members.

Adult Education and Literacy Committee

Julio Sabater, Workforce Advantage (Chair)
Yunia Labaut, Workforce Advantage
Antonio Rivera, Union County Workforce Development Board
Lisa Bonanno, Union County Workforce Development Board
Meredith Barracato, Union County Workforce Development Board
Perle Almieda, Union County American Job Centers
Robert Croom, Union County American Job Centers
Nasrene Mondol, Union County American Job Centers
Barbara Bagger, Literacy New Jersey
Dr. Lisa Hiscano, Union County College
Marlene Loff, Union County College
Scott Kuchinsky, Plainfield Public Library
Debbie Walter, Union Public Library
Jeff Cupo, Elizabeth Public Library
Nancy Berkenfeld, Elizabeth Public Library
Alison Milan, International Rescue Committee
Jas Verem, International Rescue Committee
Debbie Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services
Melissa Lespinasse, Union County Department of Human Services
Hawa Bonds, Union County Division of Youth Services
Latoya Bennet, Union County Division of Youth Services
Valerie Hendon, Elizabeth Public School
Dr. Lyle Moseley, Elizabeth Public School
Juanito Chiluisa, NJ Department of Labor
David Moskowitz, NJ Department of Labor
Diana Calle, UC Office for People w/Disability & Special Needs

Its primary mission is to provide active leadership engaging community stakeholders around local needs and priorities for literacy services. The Literacy Committee provides strategic direction and works in collaboration with other programs and initiatives in the local community to develop a comprehensive system of supports for developing the basic literacy skills of local residents.

The Committee’s role is to lead the development of a literacy service system by working with stakeholders from the community. The Committee and its partners identify need, provide strategic direction, and establish priorities and overall plans for improving adult literacy.

Disabilities Issues Committee

Cyndy Walsh Rintzler, In Roads to opportunities (Chair)
Antonio Rivera, Union County Workforce Development Board
Carolina Marin, Union County Workforce Development Board
Lisa Bonanno, Union County Workforce Development Board
Meredith Barracato, Union County Workforce Development Board
Perle Almieda, American Job Centers
Robert Croom, American Job Centers
Nasrene Mondol, American Job Centers
Debbie Ann Anderson, Union County Department of Human Services
Melissa Lespinasse, Union County Department of Human Services
Juanito Chiluisa, NJ Department of Labor
David Moskowitz, NJ Department of Labor
Christine Backiel, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services
Edward Faver, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Nicole Warren, The Family Resource Network
Hector Smith, The Family Resource Network
Adam Kubler, Arc of NJ
Josh Bornstein, Union County ESC
Brandon Phelps, Arc of Union County
Rebecca Micial, Arc of Union County
Manny Ramirez, Bureau of ADA Compliance
Sandra Lynch, CAU
Diana Calle, UC Office for People w/Disability & Special Needs
Zinnia Johnson, Goodwill
Alicia Mc Grath, Goodwilll
Karen Cimorelli, Union County College

The Disabilities Committee is charged with ensuring that all services, including those at the comprehensive One-Stop Career Center, and external training sites, are accessible to persons with disabilities and that outreach efforts effectively reach this population.