I would like to respond to the letter that was written by Linda Passmore concerning the CSC Work Site Placement Fair.

Her first issue, concerning the numbers of 85 vs. 90, the Albany office of CSC did place a total of 96 youth in job placements this summer; only 85 were present in the room for the event.

The first article was addressing how ARRA money was going to be spent in the Albany community and that was the number of 90 youth, but ultimately we were able to place 96 in work sites this summer.

There was a significant amount of paperwork to meet the eligibility process that was required by the Department of Labor for youth to be eligible to participate in the work site placement program this summer. CSC was not trying to change the start time at the last minute - we were wanting people to show up as they would for an interview and that 15 minutes early is appropriate for interviewing.

CSC told youth that we were full but if they wanted to complete the process that there was a possibility that youth would not show and/or there could be more placements. As of today (July 2), we are contacting the five people who did show up on Monday but did not get to participate in the Work Site Placement Fair and we will be offering them a placement.

Albany CSC had an overwhelming response to the opportunity of summer employment and is making every attempt to place all the youth that went through and completed the process in a timely manner. We are certainly aware that there are more youth in the community that could use a summer work placement and we are currently looking for more funds to fill the need that has been presented to us.

Sue McGuire-Thompson, Operation manager, Albany Office of Community Services Consortium