As posted on the City’s website:


Report On The Operation Of The Crabbs Branch Temporary Workers Center

Posted 7/11/2007

The following report was prepared by the Montgomery County Government:

REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF
THE CRABBS BRANCH TEMPORARY WORKERS CENTER (CBTWC)
(Operated by CASA of Maryland, Inc.)

June 22, 2007

APRIL 2007

PROGRAM BEGINNING: The CBTWC officially opened on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 16642 Crabbs Branch Way. Employment related activities began on the same day, with the registration of 34 workers and three (3) job placements. It was also the start of a comprehensive WORKER REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION process whereby the rules of conduct and a general explanation of operational guidelines and expectations from participants, overview of services provided by the center, and information on community services are provided.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Two weeks prior to the opening of the center, CASA and Upcounty Regional Services staff visited businesses, agencies and churches in the CBTWC area and neighborhood to talk about the program and services. Some of the places reached included the MCPS Food Services, Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning, MCPS school bus association, F.O. Day Construction Company, Maya can Inc, Home Depot, and Shady Grove Shopping Center. Informational flyers about the program and who and how to contact the center and its representatives were provided to businesses and agencies in the area. Many locations where workers were likely to congregate were visited.

TRANSPORTATION: CASA provided transportation for the first two weeks of the opening, running a shuttle between various pickup points (mainly in Gaithersburg) and the center every hour. Workers encountered were given information about the program and services offered at the center.

APRIL PROGRAM STATISTICS

Number of Day Job Placements – 130
Permanent Job Placements – 2
Temporary Job Placements (placements more than a day/not permanent) - 2

New Employers (newly registered) - 52
Existing Employers (previously registered/repeat) – 6

MAY 2007

The center experienced an increase in activities in registration of both workers and employers and job placements. The program expanded services offered to workers to include photo identification cards and a menu of educational programs such as financial /money management, legal rights, personal health and workplace safety. More referral services were added.

PROGRAM STATISTICS

Number of Daily Job Placements – 596

Number of Permanent Jobs – 2
Number of Temporary Jobs – 37
Number of New Employers – 208
Number of Existing Employers – 86
Informational Referrals – 16
Number of ID Cards Issued – 17

Number of Presentations/Session – 2
Number Attending Presentations – 55

CENTER TRAFFIC: Traffic in and out of the CBTWC and the immediate area presented no problems or registered reports. The monitoring report indicated the following traffic count (vehicles entering the center) during normal operating hours (6:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.):

April – 187
May – 561
Daily Average – 21

The traffic peaks between 7 – 9 A.M. Traffic is routinely monitored at the center.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: During its first two months of operation, local Police reported no incidents of any kind relating to participating workers, or complaint calls from nearby businesses and agencies. However, there was an attempted arson on May 4, which is still under investigation by the County Fire Marshall’s Office. Enhanced security measures are in place which we continue to closely monitor.

MONTHLY PROGRESS MEETINGS AND REPORTS: The Upcounty Regional Services Center and CASA staff meet monthly to discuss program/operational issues, review reports, safety and security, outreach and program enhancement and continuous improvement strategies, etc. CASA provides monthly written reports to the URSC, the designated administrative monitor of the CBTWC contract. The Shady Grove Implementation Advisory Committee received an update on the program on June 26, 2007 and the URSC Director and staff will continue to work with and keep the City of Gaithersburg officials informed as necessary.