During last month’s special Board meeting, our Board of Commissioners approved Waldron and Company’s project overview for the search for our next Executive Director which includes the scope of work, proposed timeline, and the role of screening committee.

The scope of work is comprised of four stages – discovery, recruitment, presentation, and finals. During the first stage – the discovery stage -- Waldron and Company will speak to board members and interview senior staff and other stakeholders for their input on the position. An electronic survey was made available by Waldron and Company to all staff to complete.

Waldron and Company will be in close communication with our Board of Commissioners during the final three stages to ensure the target candidates are reached.

Below are some items the Board took action on during February’s regularly-scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting:

• Sanctuary: The Board approved Sanctuary Youth Services’ continuation application to the Department of Health and Human Services/Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Regional Program in the amount of $180,000. Monies – to be used between April 30, 2010, and April 29, 2011 – will help design and develop collaborative services in the form of a coalition to education and strengthen the services for human trafficking victims.

• Employment & Training: The Board approved the submission of aproposal to the County of Fresno’s Employment and Temporary Assistance Department’s CalWORKS Employment Services Program in the amount of $720,000 for intensive case management services to 480 employed participants to assist with transitioning off CalWORKS.

In other news, minutes from last month’s Pension Committee meeting state that our pension plan was up 20.29% for 2009. The plan currently has 69.6% of the investments in equities and 30.4% in fixed income. Statements will go out this month to all employees participating in the pension plan.