state grants

Washington County sheriff plans for the ‘community rebuilding initiative’ to help inmates after release [Video]
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Washington County sheriff plans for the ‘community rebuilding initiative’ to help inmates after release [Video]

WITH THE SHERIFF, THE COMMUNITY REBUILDING INITIATIVE AIMS TO HELP INMATES SUCCEED AFTER THEY GET OUT AND TO ADDRESS OVERCROWDING AT THE JAIL. >> THIS IS VIDEO FROM INSIDE THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER TODAY. >> A PILOT PROGRAM TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOME OF THESE DETAINEES LIVES AND AND PERHAPS REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THEY COME BACK TO JAIL. >> SHERIFF JAY CANTRELL SAYS A PERSON DETAINED IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN BOOKED IN, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN SIX TIMES. >> SOME OVER 100 TIMES IN JUST IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL. SO IF WE CAN REDUCE THAT, IF WE CAN GET THEM SOME TOOLS, SOME EDUCATION, SOME COMPONENTS TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR LIFE OUTSIDE OF JAIL, MAYBE THEY WONT COME BACK. >> THE COMMUNITY REBUILDING INITIATIVE, WHICH WILL BE AT THE OLD CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT, WOULD HAVE GED CLASSES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, PARENTING GUIDANCE, MENTAL HEALTH CLASSES AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION TO HELP SECURE A JOB AND KIND OF HELP DEFINE A NEW NORMAL FOR THEM SO THEY DONT HAVE TO GO BACK TO SOME OF THEIR OLD HABITS AND THEIR OLD FRIENDS AND THEIR OLD WAYS, BECAUSE THATS ALL THEYVE GOT LEFT. >> WERE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET THEM SOME NEW DIRECTION. >> THE COUNTY RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OF MORE THAN $355,000 FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE COUNTY IS ALSO PARTNERING WITH A NONPROFIT CALLED RETURNING HOME NWA. >> WHEN THEY GET OUT, THEY DONT HAVE THAT STRUCTURE, AND WERE GOING TO TRY TO HELP EDUCATE THEM AND TEACH THEM SOME OF THAT STRUCTURE TO HELP THEM SUCCEED. >> AS OF NOW, ONLY INMATES WITH A NONVIOLENT CHARGE WITH A BOND OF $10,000 OR LESS ARE ELIGIBLE. AND ULTIMATELY, THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE WOULD ADMIT THEM INTO THE PROGRAM.

University of New Orleans will furlough some employees [Video]
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Small Business Funding

University of New Orleans will furlough some employees [Video]

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved a request from the University of New Orleans for furloughs for the remainder of the 2024-25 fiscal year. According to UNO, the furloughs are necessary to help address the budget deficit the school is facing. All full-time teaching faculty, not just tenured faculty, are exempt from furloughs, according to UNO. Furloughs also do not affect those not in administrative roles, those on an H1B visa, those in positions fully funded by grants, those with athletic contracts, part-time employees and contract employees.That means that about 290 employees out of 575 full-time on-campus employees will be impacted by furloughs, according to UNO. Employees earning $100,000 or more will be required to take at least three furlough days each pay period, which is every two weeks. According to UNO, the amount of unpaid leave will be determined based on an employee’s salary. A spokesperson for UNO confirmed that the higher the employee’s salary, the more unpaid time will be required. University officials say the plan will save them about $1.7 million, though they admit this is far short of their $10 million budget deficit.The furloughs come after the university announced layoffs at the end of last year along with program and building consolidation. This is a difficult time for the University of New Orleans community, said UNO president Kathy Johnson in an issued statement. We deeply regret the impact these actions will have on our employees and their families. However, these steps are necessary to overcome our current financial challenges and secure the university’s future. We remain committed to transparency and to supporting those affected during this transition, and we believe that UNO will emerge from this.According to a statement issued by UNO, the universitys budget shortfall is driven by several factors, including declining enrollment and rising operational costs. UNO said the following measures have been implemented to address the budget shortfalls: Cost-Cutting Measures: UNO implemented a hiring freeze and spending freeze, eliminated vacant and nonessential positions, reduced the number of administrators and the amount of administrative expenses, and shrunk the campus physical footprint to reduce utility and maintenance expenses. New Revenue Streams: UNO is actively pursuing partnerships with local businesses and applying for additional federal, state and foundation grants to support research and workforce development initiatives. According to UNO, despite those efforts, the budget gap needed further action, which led to the decision for furloughs. Dr. Edwin Litolff, the Vice President of Finance and Administration at UNO, spoke to the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors where he painted a concerning picture regarding the challenges the university faces. “There’s no way we’re going to make it to the end of the year without doing furloughs,” said Litolff.According to Litolff, there is several more broken processes that are contributing to the budget shortfall. “In all honesty, I don’t think we had a deadline for when students had to pay. Scholarships are not posted, financial issues we have,” said Litolff. “We’ve got to draw the line. If you don’t pay, you can’t eat at the cafeteria, you can’t get your books. You can’t get grades at the end of the year.”Litolff said fixing the financial issues are going to take time. “There’s a lot involved and maybe I was naive in coming and saying we can do this pretty quickly, but we can’t,” said Litolff. UNO said temporary unpaid leave will begin for eligible full-time employees for at least the remainder of the fiscal year.The university also anticipates more layoffs in the Spring semester. While these actions are necessary, we are deeply sensitive to the hardship they undoubtedly will cause. We remain fully committed to supporting those who are affected through this transition, said Johnson in an issued statement. Our focus remains on protecting UNOs academic mission and its vital role in the New Orleans region. We are pursuing long-term strategies to increase enrollment, secure new funding, and enhance operational efficiency to avoid similar measures in the future.UNO said in an issued statement that it will continue to focus on recruitment and find new funding sources through grants and partnerships. We are confident that these difficult decisions will position the university for sustainable growth and success, Johnson said in an issued statement. UNO remains deeply committed to its mission and its role as a driver of economic development and cultural vibrancy in New Orleans. Together, with the ongoing support of our community and partners, we will secure UNOs future as a vital asset to New Orleans and beyond. For more information on UNO’s budget plan, click here.

Washington County moves forward with Community Rebuilding Initiative [Video]
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Washington County moves forward with Community Rebuilding Initiative [Video]

A first-of-its-kind program in Arkansas is moving forward in Washington County. The program aims to address jail overcrowding while helping non-violent offenders get back on their feet. County leaders are planning for the home of the former Crisis Stabilization Unit to soon serve as home of the Community Rebuilding Initiative. A residential facility that would help certain inmates become equipped to succeed in life and not end up back in jail.In just a few short months, the empty rooms inside of the old CSU could once again be occupied. Washington County received more than $355,000 in federal grant money through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for a residential substance abuse treatment program. It will focus on rehabilitation, skill development, and community reintegration. For the head of the non-profit prison ministry, Returning Home NWA, being part of the mission is deeply personal. “I ended up serving seven-and-a-half years in prison when I was in Iowa,” chief executive officer Nick Robbins said. “And, I was very blessed that a non-profit came in and started investing in my life. And, shared hope with me that I had never had in my entire life. And ultimately, that gave me a vision of a future of helping other people.”For the time being, only male inmates are eligible. They must be facing non-violent and non-sexual charges. Eligible inmates must also have a bond of $10,000 or less and be willing to follow the program’s rules. Approval from the prosecutor’s office is an additional requirement. “What were seeing is individuals, countless number of times, interacting with law enforcement and going back to our facility,” Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins said. “Im talking we have people that are 100-plus times that have been within our Washington County Detention Center. What that tells us is theres something there thats not working.An initiative of this magnitude requires almost everything you can think of to make it happen, including a fully-functioning kitchen like the one in the proposed facility.”Would you rather be sitting on the floor in the jail or would you rather have opportunities?” Robbins said. “People coming in and investing in you.”Up to thirty-two men can be housed at one time and the length of their stay will vary, depending on the person. The pilot program will run from May until September, although there is the potential to expand it beyond that timeframe.”What this is going to do is its going to give us a lot of data and a lot of ideas about where we go from here,” Deakins said. “What kind of initiatives work and what they dont. This will be the first type of this type of program in the state.”The initiative doesn’t excuse an inmate from sentencing, but it will be determined ahead of time that the sentencing will not involve jail time.”This is basically a sophisticated extension of the county jail and so, the sheriff still oversees this facility,” Deakins said.”I understand the value of it because Ive felt it,” Robbins said.The next major step is the county formally accepting the funding for the project next month. The hope is that the initiative will serve as an example for other counties in the state going forward.

Burlington’s search for new police chief continues: City leaders vision for the future [Video]
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Burlington’s search for new police chief continues: City leaders vision for the future [Video]

The search for Burlington’s next police chief is more than just a staffing decision, it’s a turning point for the community.Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse recalls the challenges faced during the city’s previous search for a police chief, emphasizing that the process was not adequately structured for success. As the city embarks on a new search for leadership in the police department, Traverse insists that this time will be different, with a more comprehensive and evidence-based approach.” My hope is moving forward with a better, more evidence-based process this go around, Traverse said.At Monday’s City Council meeting, the topic of police staffing was front and center, with outgoing Chief Jon Murad presenting his report.Including strategies to address staffing challenges ahead of 2025. But it wasn’t just about his report.Council Member Melo Grant highlighted the need to evolve recruitment methods for modern times.”People are not looking at newspapers anymore. You know, the generation that we’re trying to attract to be officers, where do they get their information? Online,” Grant said, urging a shift in how the city attracts potential candidates.Grant also emphasized the importance of selecting a new police chief who understands Burlingtons diverse community and can recruit officers suited to the citys unique needs.”I want to know that they’re coming from a place where they have engaged with all kinds of people,” Grant stated. “I want to know that they are ready to get out in the community and have communications in a frank, open, and honest way.”Former Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling, who served the city as police chief from 2008 to 2015, shared his perspective on what qualities the new police chief must possess.”Surround them with good supportive policies, provide great training, with a good back-end accountability process, review process to ensure that you’re constantly improving,” Schirling explained. “It starts with selecting the right person who’s able to do all of those things.”Despite the ongoing challenges faced by Burlington, Council Member Grant remains optimistic about the future.”We have to be in agreement that Burlington is a beautiful, fantastic place to be. That’s a fact. This is a wonderful place to live,” Grant said. “Are we going through it right now? We are, but we have a story to tell. That’s really the way I look at it. We have a story to tell.”

Maine Chamber of Commerce, Bath Iron Works sue over PFML rules [Video]
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Small Business Funding

Maine Chamber of Commerce, Bath Iron Works sue over PFML rules [Video]

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Bath Iron Works have filed a civil lawsuit against the Maine Department of Labor and its commissioner in connection with the DOL’s recently approved rules governing the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program.The lawsuit was filed Monday in Kennebec County Superior Court and claims the PFML rules harm Maine employers that will offer a private family and medical leave plan, such as Bath Iron Works and other Chamber of Commerce members.On Jan. 1, any employer with at least one Maine-based employee began payroll withholdings to go toward the PFML Fund. The fund will accumulate contributions for 16 months and benefits will start being paid to people who are eligible for PFML starting on May 1, 2026.Employers with 15 or more employees will contribute 1% of wages to the PFML Fund, and they may deduct up to half of the contribution from their employees’ wages. Employers with fewer than 15 employees will contribute 0.5% of wages, but those employers may deduct that entire amount from their employees’ wages. All employers will begin reporting wages from the first quarter on April 1 and the first premium payments are due on April 30.The state, however, does allow employers to provide a private paid leave plan to their employees that offers rights, protections and benefits that are substantially equivalent to those provided by the Maine PFML program.Employers with approved private plans will not be required to make payments to the PFML Fund and their employees will not pay double premiums, but those employees will lose their Maine PFML eligibility.In the lawsuit, the Maine Chamber of Commerce said some of its members, including Bath Iron Works, intend to provide their employees with private plans that are the substantial equivalent of the PFML.The Chamber of Commerce and BIW claim that the current PFML rules prohibit employers applying for exemption until April 1 while simultaneously requiring that applications be submitted at least 30 days before the end of the quarter for the exemption to take effect.Thus, the plaintiffs argue it is impossible for employers who plan on using private plans to obtain approval for the first quarter and forces them to pay into a program that their employees will not be eligible to receive benefits from.The Chamber of Commerce and BIW also claim the PFML rules do not state how long the Department of Labor can take to review applications from employers planning to use private plans, as they do not establish any deadline by which the DOL must take action on such applications.According to the lawsuit, the PFML rules require employers to pay premiums through and until the date the Department of Labor grants their applications for substitution of a private plan, and those payments are non-refundable.Maine’s PFML program will provide eligible individuals with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family or medical reasons, to deal with the transition of a family member’s pending military deployment or to stay safe after abuse or violence.Previous coverage: