12-Paris Diversity Initiative sponsored by PEDC

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worl~o~e Soi~ions IlortheastTexas North East Texas Workforce Development Board Request for Proposal FI' 11-OS Development of Diversity Training Program for Paris, Lamar County, Texas 1. Introduction North East Texas Workforce Development Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") is soliciting proposals for an organization to develop a Diversity Training Program for Managers and Small Business Owners in the Paris, Lamar County area of Texas with an affordable and easily deliverable training progam for their employees. A. Background Realizing that a labor market is defined by the geographical area in which people live and work, typically determined by commuting patterns, all labor markets are local. This Diversity Training Program will include Board Members and Staff, the one-stop center system, key economic development entities, employers, business associations, labor, elected officials, education, community organizations, and other key stakeholders in the local WDA. Exhibit A wil l provide the demographics for the local WDA of Paris, Lamar County, Texas. B. Obiective The Board dba Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas in partnership with Paris Economic Development Corporation and other community partners is seeking to procure the following services and deliverables: a Diversity Needs Assessment and Report; Diversity and Inclusion Best Practices Report and Diversity Summit Event and Report. The scope of the Diversity Training Progam will encompass a broad-based detailed assessment of the existing industry needs based on face-to-face interviews, focus groups, surveys or other methods of primary data gathered from business, industry, community-based organizations and other community leaders. Identify real and perceived strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and threats related to diversity issues in Paris and Lamar County. The purpose of the assessment is to provide useful information to key local stakeholders, including employers and workers as well as policymakers, workforce and economic development practitioners, and educators. The assessment will provide stakeholders the information they need to develop a shared view of the critical economic and social challenges that confront them and a forum within which they can find solutions. It should focus not only on the needs, but also on assets and resources. C. Services to be Purchased The Scope of Work includes a report that includes, but is not limited to: 1. The current environment in Paris and Lamar County regarding critical needs, requirements and expectations related to diversity and inclusiveness. 2. The importance of diversity to business and community, the economic factors and implications of being proactive versus reactive or complacent. 3. The critical success factors and other considerations that support the "business case" for diversity. FYl 1-05 Development of Diversity Training Program for Paris, Lamar County TX 2/01/2011 1 5~