September 2025 Board and Committee Meetings

More than 65 members attended the meeting, representing more than 30 states. The meeting, chaired by Joe Barela (CO), opened with roll call, approval of the agenda and committee reports from across NASWA’s operational areas. Key presentations included updates from NASWA leadership, financial reports, and a welcome from the Texas Workforce Commission. The Board also reviewed NASWA’s FY 2024 audited financials and FY 2026 budget estimates. Updates from the Integrity Center, UI ITSC, Workforce ITSC, and the National Labor Exchange highlighted ongoing innovation and support for state workforce agencies. The day concluded with peer-to-peer exchanges among state leaders. The next Board of Directors meeting will be on December 2, in Tucson, AZ, prior to the UI Integrity Symposium, in partnership with USDOL. Registration is open until November 10, or earlier if capacity is reached.  

More than 40 members attended the meeting, representing more than 25 states. Led by Chris Nelson (TX) and Dorothee Schlotterbeck (MD), the meeting opened with introductions and a review of the agenda, followed by updates from USDOL representatives. Key discussions included staffing reductions, fringe benefit implications and funding challenges. The committee also explored in-person training planning, peer-to-peer roundtables, and future committee activities, including legislative priorities and SUMMIT workshop planning. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

26 members representing 23 states attended the Communications Committee meeting. The agenda featured updates from NASWA, a showcase from the Texas Workforce Commission, workgroup reports and highlights from the AI in communications survey. Members engaged in strategic discussions on team efficiency, shared successes and challenges during roundtable sessions and reviewed a proposal on the new Communications Workforce Innovation Award set to debut at the 2026 Winter Policy Forum. The meeting concluded with leadership elections and a look ahead to the new association year. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

More than 70 individuals attended the meeting, representing 40 states. Attendees covered a range of topics, including the current policy landscape, supporting the direct care workforce and implementation of TEGL 10-23 change 2. The meeting also featured a showcase from host state Texas, updates from USDOL, facilitated breakout discussions on the future of funding for federal workforce development programs, and a committee networking session. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

Members the committee met with USDOL Civil Rights Center staff during their September meeting. They also heard from Teresa Eckstein about an innovative program in Washington State, identified priority EO legislative issues and created new workgroups for the coming year. Members thanked outgoing chair Liz Gagen from Wyoming for her leadership during the past year. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

Nearly 40 paid leave administrators and staff from 14 states gathered for a productive day-and-a-half meeting. The convening featured a robust agenda of roundtables, peer presentations and small group discussions focused on strengthening paid leave programs and addressing the growing discussion across states without paid leave programs. A central topic was the implementation of IRS guidance, with an insightful presentation from the National Payroll Reporting Consortium outlining operational logistics and next steps. Members also shared best practices on public outreach and fund recovery, fostering valuable peer learning. Critical roundtables addressed the current state of paid leave programs, staffing support, and operational challenges. The meeting provided a collaborative space for states to exchange ideas, troubleshoot common issues, and build momentum for future work. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.   

More than 50 attendees representing 29 states participated in a robust exchange of ideas and innovations in workforce technology during the committee’s September meeting. Special thanks to Committee Chair Annie Tietema (MN), Vice Chair Amber Shultz (KS), and presenters Heather Hall (TX), Joseph Leadley (TX), Ajit Girn (CA), Jim Cotter (IDH), and Baron Rodriguez (DISC) for their insightful contributions. Highlights included Texas’ ChatTWC AI assistant, California’s MyEDD unified portal, and updates from NASWA’s IDH, Workforce ITSC and UI ITSC teams. The state roundtable focused on shared challenges in modernization, funding technology initiatives and ongoing maintenance, and AI adoption, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration and data-driven strategies. The Committee also approved updates to its mission and goals, discussed top priorities and initiatives in states, and the activities of the Policy and Awards Subcommittees to help shape future priorities. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

More than 75 members attended the meeting, representing more than 35 states. The meeting featured a USDOL update and discussion with Michelle Beebe, Administrator from the Office of Unemployment Insurance within ETA-USDOL. Kansas presented a UI IT Systems Showcase. Members engaged in roundtable discussions and heard updates from the UI Policy and Interstate Benefits Subcommittees. The next committee meeting will be December 2, in Tucson, AZ, prior to the UI Integrity Symposium. Registration is open until November 10, or earlier if capacity is reached.

48 members attended the meeting, representing 31 states. The meeting featured state showcases from Texas on their recent projects and Indiana on their revised system for identifying top jobs and credentials of value, along with presentations from several members on leveraging Generative AI for data analysis. Members also participated in a breakout session focused on building customer personas for LMI stakeholders such as K-12 superintendents and economic development agencies. Representatives from USDOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics and Employment and Training Administration provided updates on federal changes impacting the LMI system. The next committee meeting will be the week of February 23, 2026, in National Harbor, MD, following NASWA's Winter Policy Forum.  

25 members attended the meeting, representing more than 10 states. The meeting featured state spotlight presentations from Alaska, Hawaii, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. Members discussed several topics, including gig economy workers, misclassification, funding, staffing, training, investigations, and modernization.