Bill served as both assistant director and director for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) from January 2003 to June 26, 2009. ADECA is primarily a grant making, grant managing organization and as Director, Bill had responsibilities and made investments in a broad range of public activities. He oversaw the distribution of more than $240 million dollars annually and managed more then 220 employees.
Below is an overview of ADECA and a summary of some of the programs Bill had responsibility for:
(This information can be found at ADECA's website: http://adeca.alabama.gov)
The Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division (LETS)
Administers federal funding for an array of victims' services, law enforcement, juvenile justice and highway traffic safety programs.
Working with the Governor, our division plans, coordinates and develops these programs. Grants are awarded to units of state and local government and eligible non-profit organizations from across the state.
LETS staff members manage and monitor these awards throughout the grant period to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements:
Correction Programs
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Grant Program
Highway Traffic Safety
Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest.
Alcohol Incentive Grant Program
Child Passenger Protection Grant Program
Click It or Ticket Program
Data Collection Programs
Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws
Highway Safety Grant Program
Occupant Protection Incentive Grant Program
Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice Formula Grant Program
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program
Juvenile Justice Title V Grant Program
Law Enforcement Programs
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
COPS Methamphetamine Initiative
Hurricane Emergency Equipment Grant Program
Victim Programs
Family Violence Prevention Grant Program
Victims of Crime Assistance Grant Program
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Program
National Resource Center on Sexual Violence Prevention
Office of Water Resources Division
The Alabama Office of Water Resources administers programs for river basin management, river assessment, water supply assistance, water conservation, flood mapping, the National Flood Insurance Program and water resources development. Further, OWR serves as the State liaison with federal agencies on major water resources related projects and conducts any special studies on instream flow needs as well as administering environmental education and outreach programs to increase awareness of Alabama’s water resources.
Mission Statement
The Office of Water Resources plans, coordinates, develops, and manages Alabama's water resources, both ground and surface water in a manner that is in the best interest of the State of Alabama. This includes recommending policies and legislation, conducting technical studies, implementing and participating in programs and projects, and actively representing Alabama's intra and interstate water resource interests.
Administrative
Hydrologic and Related Studies
Data Management
Alabama Drought Planning
April 21, 2009 Drought Declaration
Alabama Drought Plan
Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team (ADAPT)
Drought Indices
Executive Order #70
Conservation Tips
Water Use Reporting Program
Alabama Water Use Reporting Program Information
Water Resource Links
Alabama Water Resources Commission
Alabama Water Resources Commission
Workforce Development Division
Improving employment opportunities for Alabamians is the mission of the Workforce Development Division. WDD focuses on jobs, education, career development and job-training programs as it works to encourage economic development, prepare workers for stable and high-paying jobs and partners with employers. WDD programs help the unemployed and welfare recipients to find work, assist students to prepare for future careers, serve persons with disabilities and aid workers when plants close. WDD coordinates federal job-training programs that give citizens the tools they need to manage their careers and help companies identify skilled workers. Through partnerships with companies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, Workforce Development offers Alabamians a brighter future.
Workforce Investment Act
The U.S. Congress passed the Workforce Investment Act in 1998 to create a customer-focused approach to investing in workforce activities. Under WIA, the Workforce Development Division works with the Alabama Workforce Investment Board and Local Workforce Investment Boards to integrate employment, training, and career development programs. The Governor appoints the state board members to help oversee the statewide workforce investment system, including Alabama’s One-Stop Career Centers, which provide employment assistance, adult education and job training, and services for youth and dislocated workers.
The state and local boards develop and administer workforce activities in local workforce investment areas. Working together, board members promote workforce development partnerships with local governments, schools, community college, businesses, local chambers of commerce, family service centers, and non-profit organizations.
Alabama’s Career Center System
Alabama’s network of 30 One-Stop Centers and 31 satellites are strategically located throughout the state. Job development, occupational and educational training, vocational rehabilitation, veterans’ services, and unemployment insurance information are offered. Employers work with local centers to locate employees with specific skills and the goal is to consolidate the delivery of services at a single location. Many centers are electronically linked with partner agencies, such as the Alabama Departments of Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Rehabilitation Services, and Education, two-year colleges and others.
Incumbent Worker Program
In a constantly changing marketplace that requires new technology and demands new skills, the Incumbent Worker Program helps workers upgrade and acquire new skills so that employers can meet foreign competition, avoid layoffs and stay open.
Rapid Response Team
The Workforce Development Division provides on-site assistance to workers when plants announce layoffs. Once ADECA receives notice of plant closings or substantial layoffs, the Rapid Response Team swiftly reacts and meets on-site with employers and employees affected by job loss. At the employee group meetings, workers receive information about unemployment compensation, pension benefits, job training, employment services, health insurance, credit counseling, and many other services.
Youth Programs
WIA funds also provide services including programs for out-of-school youth that lack basic skills and are unemployed or underemployed and assistance for those with disabilities.
Toll-Free Jobs Help Line
1-877-US2-JOBS - Thousands of Alabamians call our toll-free help line which helps students, parents, workforce professionals, the unemployed, and underemployed make informed career decisions. Callers request state labor market data, information on career, educational and training options, financial assistance, apprenticeships, unemployment insurance, and employment in the airport security and healthcare fields.
Alabama Customized Employment Program
The Alabama Customized Employment Program for Individuals with Disabilities provides for strategic planning and implementation activities designed to improve the employment and career advancement of people with disabilities. The key goal of this program is to build the capacity of the Alabama Career Center System to develop and implement customized employment services to persons with disabilities.
Energy Division
The mission of the Energy Division is to provide assistance and services to the citizens of our state through the management and development of energy programs, the advancement of telecommunications, and to foster the advancement of technology to strengthen the Alabama economy.
Renewables Programs
Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program
Biomass Energy Program
Building Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Energy Education
Energy Star Program
Industrial Energy Efficiency Program
Local Government Energy Loan Program
Performance Contracting
Public Service Announcements
Recycling Program
RideShare
Renewable Energy Program
Saving Energy at Home
State Energy Program
Transportation Fuel Economy
Energy and Weatherization Programs
LIHEAP Program
Weatherization Assistance Program
Surplus Property Division
The Surplus Property Division is responsible for the sale of all property declared excess by State Agencies who participate in the Surplus Property Program. It is also responsible for the transfer of all federal surplus property allocated to the State from both military bases and Federal Agencies. At any given time this division has approximately $50,000,000 in inventory on hand. This program saves the Alabama taxpayer millions of dollars annually by selling this property for a fraction of its value to all public entities and certain eligible non-profit organizations.
There are many programs assigned directly to the OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
Was created by Congress in 1965 to bring the 13 Appalachian states into the mainstream of the American economy. The Commission is a partnership of federal, state, and local governments, and was created to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life in the 13-state region stretching along the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. The region includes 406 counties, incorporating all of West Virginia and counties in 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Community Services Block Grant Act
Was enacted to assist low-income individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Serving the citizens of Alabama while reducing welfare dependency is a daily function for us at Community Service. We take part in the management of a wide variety of undertakings, our goal is to help low-income citizens, through a variety of programs and community activities, to become gainfully employed and improve their quality of life.
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered in Alabama by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
ADECA has been administering the CDBG program since 1982. The program is available to all Non-Entitlement communities that meet applicable threshold requirements. ADECA has awarded approximately $700 million in CDBG money to fund nearly 2,000 projects. All projects must meet one of the National Objectives of the program – projects must benefit 51 percent low- and moderate-income people, aid in the prevention or clearance of slum and blight, or meet an urgent need.
TYPES OF PROGRAM FUNDS
COMPETITIVE FUND
ADECA annually awards CDBG money for the Large City, Small City, and County categories. Applicants are scored based on several competitive factors including community need, cost efficiency, appropriateness, and impact. Applications deadlines are announced during the annual workshop in the first quarter of the year.
Grant Ceiling
The Small City and County funds both have ceilings of $400,000.
The Large City fund has a ceiling of $500,000.
Typical Activities
Water & sewer extensions & rehabilitation
Housing rehabilitation
Neighborhood & downtown revitalization
Street & drainage improvements
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUND
This fund is available to all eligible communities to use for projects that address quality of life issues. This fund is available on a continuous basis.
Grant Ceiling: $250,000
Typical activities
Fire protection
Senior citizens centers
Community centers
Boys & girls clubs
Recreational facilities, etc.
PLANNING FUND
This fund is available for all eligible communities to conduct planning activities to promote orderly growth, regional development, and revitalization efforts. This fund is available on a continuous funding cycle.
Grant Ceiling: $50,000
Typical activities
Comprehensive plans
Elements of comprehensive plans
Downtown revitalization plans
Regional strategies and plans, etc.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
This fund is available to all eligible communities for projects supporting the creation or retention of jobs. Generally, applicants for ED assistance should have a commitment from the business to create or retain 15 or more jobs. The business should fall within the SIC codes 20-39 or provide a significant economic benefit. Projects must not include intrastate relocation. The program is available on a continuous funding cycle.
Grant Ceiling: varies depending on the type of project.
Typical activities
ED Incubator ($250,000)
ED Float Loans ($10 million)
ED Grants ($200,000 subject to waiver)
20% local match is required
Disaster Relief
Ivan, Disaster Relief - Katrina, Regular CDBG programs, and CDBG Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG)
The Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) was first enacted under Title V of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s appropriation act for the fiscal year 1987, and was fully established by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in 1988. This is a program that may provide assistance to all areas of the state. ESG funds are used to upgrade existing homeless facilities and domestic abuse shelters, to help meet the operating costs of such facilities, to provide essential services to these groups, and to help prevent homelessness.
ADECA's Recreational Programs
Assist Alabama communities in promoting outdoor activities and encouraging healthy lifestyles through two federal grants, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program.
The U. S. Department of Interior, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides funding to Alabama cities and counties for the development or establishment of outdoor recreational areas. Projects include parks, playgrounds, forest and wildlife regufes, recreational lakes and ponds, outdoor playing fields, and picnic and camping areas.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is funded by the U. S. Department of Transportation and provides funding assistance to federal agencies, states, and local governments for development and improvement of recreational areas such as walking, jogging, cycling, skating, backpacking, and horseback riding trails.
Governor’s Resources for Economic Assistance Programs, (REAP).
Was created to assist Alabama’s citizens, communities, and regions in developing an even brighter future is the primary mission of the the newest unit of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), REAP was created to provide assistance and information in the areas of community and economic development, and to manage specialized community grants and projects.
Technical assistance and services with programs such as Renewal Community, Alabama Enterprise Zone, Delta Regional Authority, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), Minority Business Enterprises, and Community and Economic Development, will be provided to citizens and community leaders. We anticipate that REAP’s activities and programs will continue to evolve as the needs of Alabama’s citizens and communities are identified .