The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NATIVE SAMOAN-AMERICAN JTPA PROGRAM” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4171-H4175 on April 4, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIVE SAMOAN-AMERICAN JTPA PROGRAM
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bilbray). Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 4, 1995, the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega] is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve as much time as I may consume and ask unanimous consent to include extraneous materials. I rise today to talk about welfare reform and in particular a JTPA program that is earmarked for elimination in the Republicans' rescission bill H.R. 1158.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about a program that provides assistance to the Samoan-American community in three States--the Samoan Service Providers Association [SSPA] in the State of Hawaii, National Office of Samoan Affairs [NOSA] in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego--the State of California, and the American-Samoan Comprehensive Employment Program [ASCEP] in the State of Washington, a tristate program that assists training and retraining of Pacific Islanders for employment and community development.
[[Page H4172]] Let me begin by stating the statement of purpose of the Jobs Training Partnership Act [JTPA], and it states:
It is the purpose of this Act to establish programs to prepare youth and adults facing serious barriers to employment for participation in the labor force by providing job training and other services that will result in increased employment and earnings, increased educational and occupational skills, and decreased welfare dependency, thereby improving the quality of the work force and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.
Mr. Speaker, this is what the JTPA program is supposed to do, prepare disadvantaged youth and adults by training them and in some cases retraining for entrance into the work force. It is the government's responsibility, to associate programs and community needs. The future of our great country depends on providing our people with the education and skills, in channeling our greatest asset--people, to maintain our work force, our economy and our communities. This great country is a melting pot of cultures and ethnic races each contributing something special to our country, our communities and our workplace to benefit generations to come.
Why do we have a program that targets a special population? Because the previous system did not cater for them. Because the previous system did not provide for diversity, sensitivity and competence. It was made possible by federal government oversight to ensure that the needs of this small population was met.
Mr. Speaker, I agree that we must look at reforming much of our welfare system and to look to make it equitable and fair, in terms of how it is funded and the distribution of those funds for the betterment of society and local communities. I agree it is time to hold onto what is right and what works, and to cut off or sift through that which impedes the course of action of turning our people into productive and responsible citizens.
Mr. Speaker, the course of action that H.R. 1158 proposes is not only ridiculous, but it is dangerous. This Republican led Congress has raced ahead to complete their Contract with America at the expense of many hard-earned programs. Already we are experiencing the results of rushed legislation, staffers too tired to check the bills, Republican legislators who now realize that this rescission bill includes programs they had not intended to be affected--now they want to raise amendments and reinstate that funding. There is reason for long serious deliberation--to
avoid any loopholes and ensure that the legislation is in agreement to the intent.
I honestly do not believe that there has been much thought especially to the consequences, the long-term effects, that many of the proposed rescissions will force upon current and future recipients of welfare.
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned over the ramifications that H.R. 1158 will have on the local Samoan communities in Hawaii, California, and Washington. A JTPA program that serves and has the support of the community--and all of a sudden we want to cut it off completely. Let us proceed with caution--the people of America sent out a clear message when we debated health care reform in the 103d Congress. Let us not rush into this until we have reviewed these important issues.
Mr. Speaker, when the JTPA program for the Samoan-Americans was established, the intent was to provide an agency that was competent, sensitive and attentive to the needs of the people from the Pacific. Based on the 1984-85 Department of Labor study ``Unemployment, Poverty and Training Needs of American-Samoans,'' office personnel in existing services and programs knew little about the unique aspects of the Samoan culture and tradition. Our people found that employment training agencies were not user friendly and that the environment was insensitive and not what they were expecting in terms of receiving help. There was a little attempt by employment programs to overcome this industry-wide shortage of Samoan-American staff who could liaison with participants and organizers. Programs did not contain a bilingual element--in most cases Samoan-Americans required language training and therefore were at an immediate disadvantage if a program lacked this bilingual component. They found that the cultural differences and indifferences for the training needs were not met by JTPA personnel.
As a result of this, Mr. Speaker, Senator Inouye, helped pass legislation that provided for a special job training and employment program for Native Samoan-Americans residing in the United States. This is the only JTPA program that provides assistance to Samoan-Americans.
I would like to take this opportunity to refresh my colleagues on the history surrounding this program and to bring them up to date on the success of the JTPA Native Samoan-American program.
In 1988, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii introduced an amendment to include Samoan-Americans in the JTPA Native American Programs under title IV(A) of the JTPA Act. However, by the time this amendment passed Congress, the program was funded as a discretionary program under title IV(D) of the JTPA Act as a pilot and demonstration project.
In 1991, Senators Paul Simon, Ted Kennedy and Strom Thurmond included a provision in S. 2055 Job Training and Basic Skills Act, to amend the JTPA Act to include Native Samoan-Americans and those residing in the United States in the Native American Program. Unfortunately, when the bill went to conference on July 29 to 31, 1991, the Samoa-American provision was defeated. The conferees had contended that it was within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Interior and not the Committee on Education and Labor in order to amend the definition of Native Americans.
Today, the program is still scored under title IV(D), as a discretionary item and the State Department of Labor of Hawaii continues to administer the program.
Why would we seek to include Native Samoan-Americans in the JTPA Native Americans Programs? Because the JTPA-NAP program was established by Congress to address the serious unemployment and economic disadvantages which exist among members of these communities, namely Native American Indians, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians. And I feel that the Samoans who have migrated from American Samoa to Hawaii and the United States proper do qualify.
As Members of Congress will testify, of all the minority groups in the United States, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and Native Samoan-Americans suffer the most economically, primarily due to educational, cultural, and language barriers. I submit to my colleagues in the House that 25 percent or more of the Samoan-Americans population here is the United States live in poverty.
An official 1980 census cited 42,000 Samoans in the United States proper. At that stage nearly half of that Samoan population was residing in California and more than one-third was in Hawaii. Although severely under-counted, the 1990 U.S. Census cites 63,000 Samoans now living in the United States, an increase of 50.1 percent over the 1980 statistics, 50 percent live in California, 23 percent in Hawaii and 6.5 percent in Washington. Overall 87.6 percent live in the West region of the United States.
I might also note, Mr. Speaker, that despite a 95-year relationship between American Samoa and the United States, the first official census taken by the U.S. Census Bureau of the territory was in 1990--only 5 years ago.
Statistics from the Hawaiian operation continue to show that male Samoans have an unemployment rate of over 9 percent while the unemployment female rate remains at 12 percent, both above the national norm. More than any other ethnic group, Samoans have substantially higher school dropout rate with higher incident rates of gang violence. In excess of 30 percent of the Samoan population in Hawaii reside in public housing projects, and Samoan youths and adults rate the lowest in terms in educational competencies and vocational/occupational skills.
Since its inception in 1988, the JTPA Samoan Employment and Training Program has begun to address employment and training needs of our people. Hawaii last year enrolled 360 participants and terminated 174. Of the 174 terminated, 98 percent were placed in unsubsidized work averaging $10.65/
[[Page H4173]] hour for adults and $8.49/hour for youth.
California enrolled 578 participants against a planned enrollment of 625 and terminated 477; 240 participants out of the 477 were placed in unsubsidized jobs, that equates to a 50 percent success rate.
The success of this program is evident from the mass mailing my office received recently because of the rescissions bill:
Ms. Paulette Solt, Supervisor Senior Probation Officer of the Juvenile Probation Department for the City and County of San Francisco said the program provides, ``counseling, remedial education assistance, job
education and readiness, and youth employment that is culturally and linguistically relevant.''
Donna Briggs of the Department of Social Services, also for the City and County of San Francisco said, ``Problems I've experienced during the four years that I worked with Samoan families, were monumental largely due to the fact that I am not Samoan and knew nothing about who they are as a people.''
The Mayor's Office of Community Development for the City and County of San Francisco said, ``The employment and training program they are currently providing is very successful at placing Samoan American youths and adults into jobs relating to the training they received as part of their community development.''
The City and County of Los Angeles has the largest Samoan population in the continental U.S. and Shirley Crowe-Massey, Principal of the Long Beach Unified School District said,
``Many Samoan youths are at risk due to cultural and language barriers. The office of Samoan Affairs addresses the needs of and provides for Samoan students and their families; it is an organization that is uniquely equipped to do so.''
Robert Agres, Jr., Deputy Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources said, ``While Samoans in Hawaii have made much progress over the years in moving towards increased economic independence, they continue to be the most economically and socially disadvantaged ethnic group in the State. Programs, like that of the [American Samoan JTPA program], are an investment of federal dollars .
. . they help Samoans to move away from the dependence on public support . . . to become contributors to the economic life of our community.''
Mr. Speaker, of concern to many of the letter writers, from school teachers, to church groups, to probation services, to travel agencies, to past and present participants, was--who would become the intermediary agency should the Native Samoan Americans JTPA Program be cut?
Mr. Speaker, Before this American Native Samoan JTPA Program was here, there were no training programs that address the concerns of American Samoans, and there were no agencies
familiar in the makeup of Samoan Americans in their surrounding communities--and this may be very true for many of the minority communities out there today. There was no one who could identify with the cultural aspect and the embodiment of being Samoan.
But, we now have the Samoan American JTPA Program producing promising results, considering the difficulties in obtaining data and preparing appropriate training for these people. The Hawaii program statistics indicate that the cost per participant was $1,806 last year. California's cost per participant was $1,907 with an average cost per participant was $1,643 over that last 3 years.
Mr. Speaker. I submit it would cost the Federal Government a lot more if these people were on welfare. In terms of investment this program sounds like a good return--it is a cost-effective initiative as well as a high yield in turning out productive and responsible citizens of our community.
Mr. Speaker, many of the graduates of the JTPA Program are now earning decent wages and holding meaningful jobs; several have gone on to pursue degrees in higher education and some have even started their own businesses. It is evident that the program removes members of our community from the welfare roles, and more importantly, it will keep them from getting back to the welfare rolls.
Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of retaining the JTPA Program because it provides meaningful training for meaningful employment opportunities for our citizens. It is a proactive training program for youth and adults and especially their families improving their access to employment, improving their skills and enhancing the competitiveness of our labor force. It takes the sting out of turbulent years when families are in this transition phase of training and settling into new neighborhoods. It is a program that supports community development and cohesive and it is our responsibility as legislators to ensure that such programs remain part of our community and not be subject to the slash and cut program as outlined in the contract on America.
Mr. Speaker, I can only imagine what effect block granting will have on minority communities. If we choose to send block grants to the State level you can bet your bottom dollar that the black community will suffer, the Hispanic community will suffer, the legal immigrant communities will suffer, minority communities will suffer. It is at the
local level of our communities where our concerns are felt and it is here where they should be addressed.
Mr. Speaker, the GAO report ``Block Grants--Characteristics, Experience, and Lessons Learned'' reinforces many of my concerns with block granting. I would like to see the local community service providers, the people who give their time and skills, the people who get their hands dirty, to continue to administer these programs without strings attached--to the State level. I am not convinced that States have the vested interest in serving a population that is politically and economically insignificant or if it can operate with the same efficiency and effectiveness. Let us not gag programs that we know make a difference in motivation, in personal self esteem, in positive reinforcement and outlook on life. Let us preserve this program that has continually proven to be successful while moving ahead to improve and provide a valued community service.
Mr. Speaker, how can we be sure that block granting to State governments will channel funds to the most needy in our communities? How can we be sure that these State governments are going to spend the money for the express purpose that Congress intended these funds to be spent? What certainty is there that we will help the minority communities who suffer the most, who put up with the discriminations because of their race, the way they dress, their language, where they work, and their gender?
Mr. Speaker, do not place the JTPA Program in a block grant if you intend to have it administered at the State level and on that basis Samoan-Americans would have ``zilch'' representation. Looking at OMB's Directive 15 Census category of Asians or Pacific Islanders [API] American-Samoans were 0.86 of 1 percent out of a group that total about 8 million people. With no disrespect intended, the political arena favors the Asian-American population and in terms of allocating resources it would appear that Samoan-Americans would not receive the attention deserving of such a special population. It is interesting to note that the stereotyping of Asian and Pacific Island Americans in the contemporary United States has led policymakers and corporate leaders to view this API category as ``the model'' for other minority groups. On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, for some 500,000 Pacific Island Americans, the American experience has been one of a vicious cycle of broken homes and families, tremendous tensions among young people currently involved in gangs and drug trafficking, limited educational opportunities, and simply out of frustration and tensions, these citizens of our community inevitably become victims of the ``dark side'' of life, and simply adding greater costs to both local, State, and our national government.
Mr. Speaker, my office has received hundreds of letters of support from all segments of the community, government agencies, local referral groups, institutions, church groups--each endorsing the special expertise that this program provides. They know of the impact that this program achieves because they deal with them on a day-to-day basis. We cannot ignore what they have to say: Don't close the door. Don't close the door.
Mr. Speaker, the success of this program can largely be attributed to the caliber of senior personnel and the personal interests they hold for our American Samoan people: Mrs. Pat Luce-Aoelua of the National Office of Samoan Affairs [NOSA] has been in the business of caring, education, and counseling our people for over 20 years. She has carried out many research projects from cultural awareness to mental health training and has been on
[[Page H4174]] call as a consultant to many of the local Federal agencies in California. Bill Emmsley of the Samoan Service Providers Association [SSPA] has also been very instrumental in reaching out to our community in Hawaii. His involvement also stems back to over 20 years and has a strong commitment to employment training.
Many of SSPA's participants have gone onto community colleges and even to university. SSPA recently graduated 17 participants from one of its entrepreneur training programs. In Seattle the operation is cared for by Logologo Sa'au, Jr. Although smaller in size, the operation in Seattle is just as important. Remember this is a tri-State program, the only program reaching out to many of your constituents who are American Samoans.
In closing Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a few lines from a letter that speaks out in strong support of the Samoan-American JTPA program. From the mayor's Office of Community Development, City and County of San Francisco:
. . . attests to the fact that the [Samoan-American JTPA program] has an excellent operation as we have witness[ed] for the past 3 years. The employment and training program they are currently providing is very successful at placing Samoan-American Youths and Adults into jobs relating to the training they received as part of their community development. This is a program that we can all be proud of as they continue to provide outstanding counseling, education and training to this economically disadvantaged population.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record statements on this subject from program directors Pat Luce-Aoelua for California, and Bill Emmsley for Hawaii.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I thank you for your patience and attention.
Statement by National Office of Samoan Affairs, Inc., California
Addressing H.R. 1158 and 1159 Job Training Partnership Act
On March 16, 1995, the House of Representatives adopted two rescission bills (HR 1158 and HR 1159) relating to the Job Training Partnership Act. Certain provisions of the HR 1158 eliminated funds specifically earmarked by Congress for the American Samoan Job Training and Employment Program.
As the Executive Director of the National Office of Samoan Affairs which administers the American Samoan JTPA Program in the State of California, I am aware of the disappointments and dissatisfactions expressed by members of Congress with the level of accomplishments and the number of successes attained by the JTPA system as a whole. I can also understand and appreciate the fervor of Congressional effort to reform the system through either rescinding or reducing funds for the JTPA Program. However, I find it extremely perplexing to accept the House Committee's decision to rescind the funds for the American Samoan JTPA Program since Congress, by its own initiative and foresight, had adopted legislation, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, authorizing special funding for the American Samoan JTPA Program in 1988. This enactment was based on the findings of the ``Unemployment, Poverty and Training Needs of American Samoans'' study by the U.S. Department of Labor as mandated by Congress in 1984. This study was conducted by Northwest Laboratory.
The findings of the Department of Labor study indicate that American Samoans are not making dramatic inroads into local labor markets, and predict that, based on demographic factors such as American Samoans residing in the United States live in urban, economically depressed areas; they are dispersed throughout the states and therefore are not visible in substantial numbers such as other large minority groups to be addressed by the Service Delivery Areas within the JTPA structure. The American Samoans continue to ``fall through the cracks.'' The problems currently exhibited by American Samoan will continue into the future unless culturally relevant programs are structured.
Various studies have shown that American Samoan adults encounter difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs because they lack training, job information, and knowledge on how to access resources, providing training and employment information.
But American Samoans in general do not utilize educational training and employment services commensurate with their numbers of needs, according to the DOL-commissioned study. As it is implemented, the Job Training Partnership Act exists to provide employment and training services to individuals and groups with socioeconomic
characteristics, such as American Samoans.
Unfortunately, available evidence indicates that the present and future needs of American Samoans residing in the United States cannot be effectively met by existing JTPA traditional services.
The Department of Labor found that personnel in existing services and programs know little about the unique aspects of Samoan culture and tradition. Research also indicates that there have been few outreach efforts and only isolated attempts to hire American Samoan program staff or to increase American Samoan participation in programs. Due to these failures, local American Samoan communities lack knowledge about the range of existing services and consequently, participation is low.
On the other hand, those programs do not offer ESL training targeted for American Samoan-speaking adults and youths. Since many American Samoans require language training, in addition to technical training, they cannot easily participate in other programs lacking an English-Samoan bilingual component. The data indicate, American Samoan communities in the United States have high proportions of hard-to-train, hard-to-place persons. Because of the JTPA funding evaluation criteria, this makes American Samoans high-risk participants in programs sponsored by the general community. These same criteria makes American Samoan community sponsored program high-risk compared to programs which serve other minorities. It is for these reasons, then in 1988 and more so now, with one of the youngest population in the U.S., median age 21, that the existing American Samoan JTPA Program is so important to American Samoans in the United States.
The large family sizes and low income place many American Samoan families below the established poverty levels. According to the 1980 Census Bureau, the percentage of American Samoans living in poverty in the United States was 27.5%, compared to 9.6% for the total U.S. population. After 10 years, the incidence of extreme poverty for American Samoans is still about the same, 140 percent higher than for the country as a whole.
According to the 1990 U.S. Census, 25% of American Samoans lived in poverty in the United States compared to 10% for the total U.S. population. One out of every four American Samoan families live in poverty. The rate of poverty for the individual for American Samoans is 26% as compared to 13% for the total U.S. population. 9.9 percent of all American Samoans in the labor force are unemployed, a rate of 150 percent of the overall U.S. unemployment rate of 6.3 percent.
The action by the House Committee in this matter was not only ill-advised, insensible and reckless, but also insensitive to the continuing needs of the American Samoan population, a high risk population. With the tremendous pressure in Washington to reduce spending, it appears that programs with very little political pressure/influence are mindlessly being eliminated regardless of their benefits to the various communities across the country.
The perception of the American Samoan Program by the House Subcommittee as a political ``luxury'' that Congress can no longer afford is irresponsible. To this economically disadvantaged American Samoan population, the Program is the lifeblood of their livelihood. To its many participants, the Program has made the difference for their success in not only finding but keeping a job. To the very few, it's the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives and that of their families. All of them consider the Program as a serious and meaningful commitment by the Congress to reach out and help a struggling, underemployed and underserved, at-risk-population of indigenous people to the United States. Assuredly, the Program has gone far more than it is simply an aid for this group who ostensibly ``fall through the crack'' of governmental, mainstream programs. It has become a symbol of governmental foresight and responsiveness to the concerns and needs of this indigenous population of Native Americans.
I have received numerous letters and telephone calls from the participants of the Samoan Program, past and present, and from the Samoan traditional leaders. They expressed their concerns and disappointments with regard to the present situation. It is not an exaggeration to say, Mr. Chairman, that my people also expressed high regards for the Program and held steadfastly to the notion that the American Samoan JTPA Program represented a serious commitment by the Federal Government to provide economically and educationally disadvantaged American Samoans with skills and support services necessary to succeed in the labor market.
Although we understand and appreciate the need for the Federal Government to reform the JTPA system through consolidation or elimination of unnecessary or ineffective programs, we know, for good reasons, that the American Samoan Program is not one of them. I am proud to say that in California, the American Samoan Program has been a big success. For a brief example, our program has enrolled 3,472 adult and youth participants and placed a total of 1,247 in employment since the program's inception in 1988. These figures are higher than the national level. Unsubsidized placement for the past 3 years was met at 109%, 129% and 102%. Our data also shows that during the last 3 program years, it costs the Program an average of $2,258 for an adult participant to go through the program and find a job, while it costs $1,643 for a youth participant. Both cost factors are far below the national level.
The existing program's outcome fully demonstrates the cost effectiveness as well as the successes that would not have come about had it not been for the American Samoan JTPA Program.
[[Page H4175]] Mr. Chairman, we strongly recommend the reinstatement of the American Samoan JTPA in its present form. The proposed statement is consistent with the historical precedents of the U.S. Government designed to protect the people of American Samoa. American Samoans are legally recognized as nationals of the United States, and authority over American Samoa is vested in the President.
The natives of American Samoa are Native Americans and are entitled to ask Congress for special consideration based on what Congress said that it has ``a special responsibility for the Samoan people that grows out of the treaties of friendship and commerce negotiated in the last century and the trust relationship created when the islands were ceded to the United States in early 1900s (H.R. 97-889, 1982:109-110).
With more American Samoans living in the United States than in American Samoa, with the largest concentration living in the State of California, the Government of the United States, through this program, will begin to meet its responsibility to this Native American population in the U.S.
On behalf of the American Samoan Community in California, we thank you.
Soifua ma is Manuia (Long Life and Good Health to You)
Pat H. Luce,Executive Director.
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Samoan Service Providers Association (SSPA), Samoan
Training & Employment Program (STEP),
Honolulu, HI, March 26, 1995.Hon. Robert Livingston,Chairman, Appropriations Committee.
Dear Mr. Livingston: As the Executive Director of the Samoan Service Providers Association, an established community-based non-profit organization in the State of Hawaii, I am writing to urge you to help preserve (reinstate)
$5 million in funding for the American Samoan JTPA program for fiscal 1995, which Congress passed with strong bipartisan support last year. I justify my request based on the following reasons:
On April 17, 1900, the ``Stars and Stripes'' waved proudly over American Samoan soil: Since, the Samoans have fought courageously in all of our country's wars in the defense and the preservation of freedom and of our ``way of life''. In fact, during the Vietnam War (on a per capita basis) there were more American Samoans killed or wounded in battle than any other ethnic group in our country. Our unwavering patriotism and love for our country is very much evident. It is through our mutual Deed of Cession, the United States of America signed its obligation to be the custodian of American Samoa's education and welfare affairs. This trust has been honored by the United States since, and we hope it continues to be;
Unlike other American indigenous groups such as, the Native American Indians, Native Eskimos, etc., they have received special recognition and preferred treatment, and thus, have numerous federal programs at their disposal to service their respective communities. Believe it or not, JTPA is the only program that is currently serving the American Samoan community in the entire United States of America. Dreadfully, the current proposal (H.R. 1158 as reported), if it passes, will totally eliminate the only program that is helping our communities (Hawaii, California and Seattle) to realize the American dream. One in every four American Samoan families are under poverty which is well below the national norm, and we have the highest unemployment rate and high school drop-out among all other ethnic groups nationally;
Furthermore, as ``welfare reforms'' are being debated in Congress, the American Samoans have consistently advocated for JTPA programs as a means to the end. We deliberately did not opt for social service oriented programs, because we vehemently believed that by teaching specific skills, JTPA participants would not only learn long life skills toward
``self-sufficiency'', but they would also enhance the quality of our labor force which benefits our private sector through competitive selection. So, you see, we are not asking to sustain a ``pork'' program nor for a handout, but a ``win-win'' program that addresses both the public's educational and training need as well as the private sector's; and,
Finally, our program has proven to be working extraordinary given the level in which participants entered; their employment barriers; and educational deficiencies. Last year's (PY '93-'94) JTPA efforts produced superb outcome performances: we enrolled, in our state alone, a total of 360 participants and terminated 174 participants. Of the 174 terminated, 98% were placed in unsubsidized work averaging
$10.65/hour (for adults) and $8.49/hour (for youth). Of the 98% placed, 31% were on various public assistance programs and with remaining percentage of having multiple employment-barriers at the time of their enrollment. Contrary to popular belief, our JTPA program has operated efficiently and effectively, and has continued to fulfill the purpose of JTPA above and beyond its measurable expectations.
Therefore, as data indicate, our JTPA program has worked marvelously throughout the years, and will continue to provide substantial opportunities for our disadvantaged community in our state. Having completely eliminate the only program that is now serving our community will have devastating impact socially, economically, as well as politically. So please, we urge you and the rest of your committee to reconsider the current proposal which unjustifiably eliminate the American Samoan's JTPA program totally and reinstate the already allocated $5 million.
Your serious consideration is most greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
William T. Emmsley, Jr.,Executive Director.
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TABLE 1.--GOAL ANALYSIS AND PARTICIPATION SUMMARY OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN SAMOAN JTPA PROGRAM IN STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
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Enrollment data Terminations Unsubsid. placement
Program --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Act. Pln. Percent Act. Pln. Percent Act. Pln. Percent
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1988-89............ 237 237 100 148 148 100 113 113 100
1989-90............ 391 364 107 264 364 73 171 143 120
1990-91............ 604 480 126 361 480 75 176 243 72
1991-92............ 878 520 169 533 520 103 243 223 109
1992-93............ 784 572 137 701 572 123 304 235 129
1993-94............ 578 625 92 477 572 83 240 235 102
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6-program year totals. 3,472 2,798 124 2,484 2,656 94 1,247 1,192 105
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Program Year 1988 was the beginning of the Native American Samoan JTPA Program in California. Since that time, 3,472 Native American Samoan residents in the Counties of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange Co. and San Diego have participated in the Program, receiving training and employment services it offers.
This Table shows the administering agency, the National Office of Samoan Affairs, has consistently surpassed their set goals, in all measuring categories of activities. Enrollment is consistently above the Plan which resulted in 124% overall performance in a 6 year period. Terminations is slightly below Plan with 94% as a result of participants lacking employable skills, insignificant work history and limited education which necessitates longer occupational/skill training period and remediation. In addition, our Summer Youth Program started two weeks prior to the closing of our 1990, 1991 and 1992 program year. The outcome is, summer youth participants were carried over to the next program year, which resulted in higher enrollment for the next beginning year. For those years, enrollments were consistently high and terminations dropped slightly.
Unsubsidized Placement, however, except for 1990-1991 PY was consistently above Plan. We closed out the 6 Program Year Total with 105% achievement of Plan for Unsubsidized Placement.
[From the National Office of Samoan Affairs]
TABLE II.--GOAL ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENT SUMMARY FOR
PARTICIPANTS OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN SAMOAN JTPA PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PY 1991- PY 1992- 3-PY
Indicator description 92 93 PY-1993-94 average
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Adult entered employment rate (percent)............ 87 96 84 89
Adult employability enhancement rate (percent) 103 108 114 108
Adult cost per entered employment................ $1,723 $2,299 $2,753 $2,258
Youth entered employment rate (percent)............ 107 137 226 157
Youth employability enhancement rate (percent) 153 151 121 142
Youth cost per positive termination............... $1,564 $1,458 $1,907 $1,643
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TABLE II shows an average of 89% of Adult participants entering unsubsidized employment at a Cost of $2,258 per participant and 157% of Youth participants at a Cost Factor of $1,643. Both Cost Factors are far BELOW national level.
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