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/ December
/ Monday, December 01, 2008
[Federal Register: December 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 231)]
[Notices]
[Page 72853-72868]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01de08-119]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Planning Guidance and Instructions for Submission of the
Strategic State Plan and Plan Modifications for Title I of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and the Wagner-Peyser Act
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to provide interested parties
with the planning guidance for use by states in submitting their
Strategic State Plans for Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of
1998 and the Wagner-Peyser Act as well as Plan modifications. The
Planning Guidance provides a framework for the collaboration of
governors, local elected officials, businesses and other partners to
continue the development of workforce investment systems that address
customer needs, deliver integrated user-friendly services, and are
accountable to the customers and the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gay Gilbert, Administrator, Office
of Workforce Investment, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Ave., NW., Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-3980
(voice) (this is not a toll free number) or (202) 693-7755 (TTY).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
State Planning Guidance and Instructions for Title I of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and the Wagner-Peyser Act
OMB Control Number: 1205-0398.
Expiration Date: Nov. 30, 2011.
Table of Contents
Statement of Purpose
Background
Part I. National Strategic Direction
A. Demand-Driven Workforce Investment System within a Regional
Economic Development Context
B. System Reform and Increased Focus on Workforce Education and
Training
C. Enhanced Integration through the One-Stop Delivery System
with Improved Service Delivery and Increased Efficiencies
D. Vision for Serving Youth Most in Need
E. Increased Economic and Workforce Information Data Integration
and Analysis
F. Effective Utilization of Faith-based and Community
Organizations
G. Increased Use of Flexibility Provisions in WIA
H. An Integrated and Enhanced Performance Accountability System
that Provides Improved System Results
Part II. State Planning Instructions
A. Plan Development Process
B. Plan Submission Requirements
C. Department of Labor Review and Approval
D. Negotiated Performance Indicators
E. Modifications to State Plan
F. Inquiries
State Plan Contents
I. State Vision
II. State Workforce Investment Priorities
III. State Governance Structure
A. Organization of State Agencies
B. State Workforce Investment Board (WIB)
C. State Agencies and State Board Collaboration and
Communication
[[Page 72854]]
IV. Economic and Labor Market Analysis
V. Overarching State Strategies
VI. Major State Policies and Requirements
VII. Integration of One-Stop Service Delivery
VIII. Administration and Oversight of Local Workforce Investment
System
IX. Service Delivery
A. One-Stop Service Delivery Strategies
B. Workforce Information
C. Adults and Dislocated Workers
D. Rapid Response
E. Youth
F. Business Services
G. Innovative Service Delivery Strategies
H. Strategies for Faith-based and Community Organizations
X. State Administration
XI. Assurances
Attachments
A. Program Administration Designees and Plan Signatures
B. Optional Table for State Performance Indicators and Goals
C. Local Planning Guidance for Single Workforce Investment Area
States
D. ETA Regional Administrators (for reference only)
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide planning guidelines to
States and localities for the development of the Strategic State Plan
for title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and the
Wagner-Peyser Act (hereinafter referred to as the State Plan.) The
State Plan is required in order for States to receive formula
allotments under the Act. The information required in the State Plan is
requested in order to meet the information requirements of the Act and/
or to demonstrate compliance with WIA, the WIA regulations including 29
CFR 37, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Wagner-Peyser Act regulations.
Background
The State Planning Guidance and Instructions provide a framework
for collaboration between governors, local elected officials,
businesses and other partners to design and build workforce investment
systems that address customer needs; deliver integrated, user-friendly
services; and are accountable to the customers and the public. The
document is organized in two distinct parts. Part I provides strategic
guidance from a national perspective and communicates the current goals
and strategic direction for the workforce investment system. Part II
provides the actual format and guidance related to content for
submission of the State Plan.
As one of its primary roles, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
provides leadership and guidance to support a system that not only
meets the objectives of title I of WIA, but also enables State and
local partners to have the flexibility to design systems and deliver
services in a manner that achieves the goals for WIA based on their
particular needs.
Part I. National Strategic Direction
Part I communicates national direction and strategic priorities for
the workforce investment system.
The U.S. economy and its labor markets are undergoing changes of
historic proportion. Globalization has forced change in every region in
the country and impacted every aspect of our economy. While global
competition is typically seen as a national challenge, the front lines
of the battlefield are regional, where businesses create competitive
advantage by collaborating with researchers, entrepreneurs, and
government entities. That advantage stems from the ability to transform
new ideas and knowledge into advanced, high-quality products or
services--in other words, to innovate. Those regions that will be most
successful will connect three key elements: Talent, infrastructure, and
investment. In particular, they will connect workforce skills and
lifelong learning strategies; regional infrastructure and economic
development strategies; and investment and entrepreneurship strategies.
Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in fueling innovation, as
entrepreneurs account for more than half of all technological
innovation which powers America's competitiveness.
Maintaining America's competitive position in the global economy
requires a workforce with postsecondary education credentials, the
capacity to work in a high-technology environment, and the opportunity
to engage in lifelong learning to keep pace with change. Preparing
workers to be part of such a workforce is the role of our system. The
Employment and Training Administration (ETA) envisions that the
workforce investment system will operate as a talent development
system; it is no longer defined only as a job training system. A talent
development system not only meets the needs of industry, but
contributes to economic prosperity by collaborating with economic
development to identify emerging industries that it can help foster and
grow. Its vision is an educated and prepared workforce that is able to
compete in the global economy.
Broadly, the Federal strategic priorities for the workforce
investment system for this planning cycle include:
Building a demand-driven system within a regional economic
development context;
Implementing system reform, with streamlined governance
and alignment of economic and workforce development regions;
Enhancing an integrated service delivery system that
focuses on functions and services rather than programs or funding
streams;
Advancing a vision for serving youth most in need;
Expanding the workforce information system as the
foundation for strategic planning and career guidance;
Strengthening partnerships with faith-based and community
organizations;
Increasing the use of flexibility provisions in WIA to
design innovative programs that fuel regional economic competitiveness
and create employment opportunities for career seeker customers; and
Utilizing an integrated and enhanced performance
accountability system.
A. Demand-Driven Workforce Investment System Within a Regional Economic
Development Context
In today's economy, the workforce investment system has an
opportunity to play a critical role in fueling competitiveness by
developing talent--one of the three key requirements for innovation. To
become a dynamic catalyst, the workforce investment system must evolve
beyond its current configuration and status. Ideally, the system will
be positioned to respond to a variety of economic conditions with
talent development strategies that range from retrofitting an economy
in an area where an entire industry is being reengineered, to building
new industries from the ground up, and to building an entrepreneurial
culture that fosters job creation.
The challenge for the workforce investment system is to become
agile enough to serve an economy driven by innovation, recognizing the
reality that approximately two-thirds of all new jobs are created by
small businesses. Jobs in today's economy increasingly hinge on
specialized skills, as 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs require
education and training past high school.
Therefore, it is imperative that the system continue its
transformation as a catalyst in reshaping talent development strategies
in support of regional economic competitiveness. While the workforce
investment system has implemented a number of key strategies to become
increasingly demand-driven, new strategies are needed in the workforce
investment system to drive regional economic growth. The workforce
investment system must transform to be relevant in the 21st
[[Page 72855]]
century economy. Elements of transformation include:
(1) The workforce investment system operates as a talent
development system; it is no longer defined as a job training system.
Its goal is an educated and prepared workforce--on a U.S. or global
standard.
(2) Workforce investment system formula funds are transformed,
providing significantly increased opportunity for postsecondary
education for lifelong learning aligned with the region's talent
development strategy.
(3) The workforce investment system no longer operates as an array
of siloed programs and services.
(4) Workforce Investment Boards are structured and operate on a
regional basis and are composed of regional strategic partners who
drive investments by aligning spending with a regional economic vision
for talent development.
(5) Economic and workforce development activities within regions
are aligned, leading to the adoption of common and innovative policies
across the workforce, education, and economic development systems and
structures that support talent development and the regional economy.
(6) The workforce investment system is agile enough to serve the
innovation economy, recognizing the reality that two-thirds of all new
jobs are created by small businesses.
(7) The workforce investment system actively collaborates with
economic development, business, and education partners to gather and
analyze a wide array of current and real-time workforce and economic
data in order to create new knowledge about regional economies and
support strategic planning, routinely track economic conditions,
measure outcomes, and benchmark economic competitiveness in the global
marketplace.
B. System Reform and Increased Focus on Workforce Education and
Training
The needs of the 21st century labor market are radically different
from what we have known in the past, and for which most workers are
currently trained. As a result, the American economy is facing a
shortage of skilled workers which necessitates a talent development
system that cultivates an educated and prepared workforce committed to
lifelong learning. The following strategies can help advance an
essential culture of lifelong learning:
K-12 and alternative education curricula must be designed
to academically prepare students to successfully move into
postsecondary education as well as prepare students for success in the
workplace through a range of strategies.
Educational strategies for adult learners must offer more
entry and exit points in recognition that students will need to earn
and learn simultaneously. Such strategies may need to approach
education and career progression incrementally rather than on one
continuous path to a specific degree with the aim of moving the learner
to the workplace. This is particularly essential for incumbent workers
who need lifelong education to remain in economically self-sustaining
jobs.
New education models are needed to support the development
of cross-disciplinary learning that matches the expanding number of
cross-functional competencies and skill sets that are needed on the
job.
States have multiple ways to drive system transformation and
integration through policies, required practices, and investment of
State set-aside funds, among others. There are a number of key areas
the State may consider addressing in its Strategic Plan to respond to
the current challenges of maintaining a competitive advantage and
ensuring a prepared and educated workforce. These key areas may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
Aligning economic and workforce development strategies and
facilitating the adoption of common and innovative policies across the
workforce, education, and economic development systems and structures
that support talent development in a regional economy;
Reorganizing governance structures to operate on a
regional basis and in a way that reduces administrative costs,
streamlines service delivery systems, and increases flexibility to
address the needs of State and regional economies;
Promoting the engagement of strategic partners who drive
investments in economic regions and align spending within a regional
economic vision for talent development;
Using State set-aside funds to respond more efficiently to
economic trends and shocks, enabling State and Local Workforce
Investment Boards greater agility;
Increasing use of system resources for training through
targeted policies such as setting a specific percentage of WIA funding
that must be devoted to training and transforming the use of WIA
formula funds to postsecondary education and lifelong learning
opportunities aligned with the region's talent development strategy;
Promoting the use of Registered Apprenticeship as an
important talent development strategy and a critical postsecondary
education, employment and training opportunity as part of the suite of
options offered through the workforce investment system;
Developing statewide polices to guide the use of
assessments of individuals to enhance service delivery for business and
job seekers; and
Developing comprehensive, user-friendly economic data and
skills information to enable informed decisions by the system, and its
customers and partners.
C. Enhanced Integration Through the One-Stop Delivery System With
Improved Service Delivery and Increased Efficiencies
The workforce investment system, as currently constituted,
struggles to meet the challenges of educating and training a workforce
that is prepared to compete in today's economy. This is partly due to
the lack of integration, which causes too much money to be spent on
competing bureaucracies, overhead costs, and unnecessary
infrastructure, and not enough on meaningful skills training that leads
to job growth and economic prosperity. The ultimate objective is a
workforce investment system that eliminates duplicative costs for
physical infrastructure, information systems, and administrative and
managerial personnel; this will enable the system to devote scarce
resources to more efficiently and effectively implement talent
development strategies across multiple programs.
In addition to infrastructure integration, integrated service
delivery remains essential to a demand-driven workforce investment
system that effectively serves businesses and individuals. The
workforce investment system must operate as a seamless system
functionally organized around service delivery rather than an array of
separate programs with separate processes. The objective is for
``customers'' to be seen as customers of the workforce investment
system, not of a particular program. This goal is particularly
important when focusing on targeted populations such as veterans,
individuals with disabilities, military spouses, migrant and seasonal
farmworkers, older workers, and others. All of these populations need
access to all of the services in a One-Stop Career Center.
Achieving the goal of integrated service delivery requires strong
State leadership to overcome administrative challenges and to foster a
policy environment conducive to the integration of funding, facilities,
and service delivery. The WIA State planning process offers a vehicle
for the
[[Page 72856]]
governor and State Workforce Investment Board to set forth policy
expectations for integration and to help eliminate obstacles.
D. A Vision for Serving Youth Most In Need
Currently, there are nearly four million youth who are not in
school, do not have a diploma, and are not working. Over 30 percent of
our youth are dropping out of high school nationally, and the number is
closer to 50 percent in many urban areas. In an attempt to address this
problem, DOL has developed a Youth Vision which proposes that the
workforce investment system serve the neediest youth: Youth aging out
of foster care, those involved with the juvenile justice system,
children of incarcerated parents, migrant youth, Native American youth,
and youth with disabilities. Transforming the system to meet this
objective requires that the current capacity, knowledge, and models in
the workforce investment system be strengthened. Transformation is also
necessary if the system is to meet new performance expectations and the
specific performance measures for out-of-school youth literacy and
numeracy gains, diploma attainment, and transition to postsecondary
education.
Governors must continue to provide strong leadership in advancing
the vision for serving youth most in need. States should expand upon
existing efforts by aligning resources to address barriers and
challenges and increase opportunities to access postsecondary
education. States are encouraged to expand their cross-agency
partnerships to ensure the right set of agencies:
Are represented in the development of a coordinated
strategic plan;
Build upon State-level collaborative efforts by conducting
strategic planning sessions to better understand the range of issues
that impact their ability to serve the neediest youth;
Develop a comprehensive understanding of resources that
are available in the State for serving the neediest youth;
Conduct analyses that identify where gaps in services and
resource coordination exist; and
Develop new strategies for serving the neediest youth
through jointly funded solicitations.
States should also engage employers and civic leaders to identify
demand-driven workforce solutions that address the unique challenges
that out-of-school youth present. This includes building the capacity
of the workforce investment system to provide services to these youth
in a business solutions environment by identifying replicable models
and innovative business solutions which connect secondary and
postsecondary education, businesses and industry associations, and the
workforce investment system.
Recognizing the critical need to reconnect out-of-school youth with
high quality educational opportunities, the Youth Vision emphasizes the
development of academically rigorous alternative education pathways.
WIA-funded Youth programs should serve as a catalyst for increasing
both the quality and quantity of alternative learning environments and
connecting out-of-school youth with secondary and postsecondary
educational opportunities and high-growth employment opportunities. A
system for serving out-of-school youth should include high quality
educational programs that will meet the learning styles and needs of
youth who need to be reconnected to educational opportunities.
E. Increased Economic and Workforce Information Data Integration and
Analysis
ETA reaffirms and strengthens its message about the centrality of
workforce information for the workforce investment system leaders, and
their economic development, business, and education partners. To be
successful in its new role as a catalyst for leading talent
development, the workforce investment system needs to actively
collaborate with its partners to gather and analyze a wide array of
current and real-time workforce and economic data in order to compile
new knowledge about regional economies and support strategic planning,
routinely track economic conditions, measure outcomes, and benchmark
economic competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Not only is workforce information critical to support decisions of
the national State and local political leadership, economic developers,
business and industry, investors, and educators and to drive the
investments of the workforce investment system, it is also a
fundamental tool for guidance counselors, students, job seekers, and
workers. The provision of workforce information in an economic context,
through easy-to-use electronic tools, will empower customers in career
planning and lifelong learning required by today's dynamic global
economy.
Fulfilling the mandate for leadership in workforce and economic
information can only occur by embracing a wide array of data sources,
greater integration of the data, more complex analysis, new strategies
for making it available to strategic partners engaged in developing
regional economic agendas and talent development strategies.
Accomplishing this requires collaboration among the owners of the data
and developing methods to leverage public and private resources to
produce the economic and workforce intelligence needed in a regional
economy.
F. Effective Utilization of Faith-Based and Community Organizations
In every community, including those facing high poverty rates and
other serious challenges, there are faith-based and community
organizations (FBCOs) working to improve their community. These
organizations can be valuable partners for the workforce investment
system. DOL encourages States to build and strengthen both monetary and
non-monetary partnerships with FBCOs.
These partnerships can strengthen participant outcomes by expanding
access to services that complement those provided by the One-Stop
Career Center, including job readiness and life skills training and
niche and specialized services. These partnerships can also create new
``points of access'' to the One-Stop's electronic tools and job search
assistance in many struggling communities.
Two distinct activities are critical to utilizing fully the
complementary strengths of FBCOs. First, States must ensure compliance
with the DOL's equal treatment regulations 29 CFR 2, subpart D.
Compliance includes taking the administrative steps necessary to create
a ``level playing field'' for all organizations willing to join with
the government in service, including faith-based groups and other non-
traditional community partners.
Second, States should actively cultivate FBCO partnerships to
expand the reach of the workforce investment system and to improve
outcomes for participants, including high-need individuals.
G. Increased Use of Flexibility Provisions in WIA
To fuel regional economic competitiveness and create employment
opportunities for workers, States should exercise their authority to
design and implement innovative strategies. States should take
advantage of flexibility provisions under current legislative
authority, including waivers and work-flex, to tailor service delivery
and program design to fit the unique characteristics of their workforce
areas.
The State planning process is a vehicle for identifying waiver
opportunities and formally requesting
[[Page 72857]]
waivers, including extensions of approved waivers, in concert with
overall strategic planning. States are strongly encouraged to think
about flexibility in broad terms and to utilize the flexibility
provided by WIA to advance their strategic goals. States have received
waivers in multiple program areas, during this and the previous five-
year planning cycle, that have allowed them to implement a wide range
of innovations to transform their workforce investment systems. States
have received waivers that:
Increase training opportunities by permitting the use of a
portion of local area formula funds or funds reserved for rapid
response activities to provide incumbent worker training.
Decrease the amount that small and medium-sized businesses
need to invest in order to take advantage of WIA's provision for
customized and on-the-job training.
Allow States to choose the most appropriate mix of youth
services needed within each local and regional economy.
DOL provides technical assistance on waivers and work-flex and provides
information on the waiver strategies States have utilized to date.
H. An Integrated and Enhanced Performance Accountability System That
Provides Improved System Results
In an effective accountability system, a clear link exists between
the State's program and service delivery design and the results
achieved. Further, the performance information should be available and
easily understood by all customers, stakeholders, and operators of the
workforce investment system.
While great strides have been made in our reporting system in
recent years, the accountability outcomes for the workforce investment
system have not yet reached all goals. In addition, the various
reporting requirements for the multiple programs operated by the
workforce investment system impede the integrated service delivery
system required for the demand-driven workforce investment systems that
support regional economic competitiveness. To address this issue, DOL
has implemented a set of common performance measures for many of its
workforce programs, including WIA title IB, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and
the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. The common measures allow DOL to
clearly state the core purposes of all the programs operated by the
workforce investment system--helping people find jobs; stay employed;
and improve earnings.
The common measures are the foundation of DOL's evolving
performance accountability system. DOL continues to collect from States
and grantees other information on program activities, participants, and
outcomes necessary for program management, including data that support
the existing WIA performance measures that are required to convey full
and accurate information on the performance of workforce programs to
policymakers and stakeholders.
Part II. State Planning Instructions
A. Plan Development Process
WIA gives States and local areas a unique opportunity to develop
employment and training systems tailored specifically to State and
local area needs. Since the State Plan is only as effective as the
partnerships that operationalize it, it should represent a
collaborative process among State and local elected officials, Boards
and partners (including economic development, education, and private
sector partners) to create a shared understanding of the State's
workforce investment needs, a shared vision of how the workforce
investment system can be designed to meet those needs, and agreement on
the key strategies to attain this vision. This type of collaborative
planning at all stages--from the initial planning discussions through
drafting the State Plan document--will enable the State Plan to both
drive local system improvements and allow room for strategies tailored
to local needs. Plan development must also include an opportunity for
stakeholder and public review and comment.
Describe in one page or less the process for developing the State Plan
1. Include (a) a discussion of the involvement of the governor and
the State Board in the development of the Plan, and (b) a description
of the manner in which the State Board collaborated with economic
development, education, the business community and other interested
parties in the development of the State Plan. (Sec. 112(b)(1).)
2. Include a description of the process the State used to make the
Plan available to the public and the outcome of the State's review of
the resulting public comments. (Sec. Sec. 111(g), 112(b)(9).)
B. Plan Submission Requirements
1. Requirements for Submission and Points of Contact
WIA State Plans must have an original signature of the governor,
and the name of the governor must be typed below or above the
signature. States can meet this requirement by completing the signature
page provided in Attachment A of this Guidance, entitled Program
Administration Designees and Plan Signatures, which includes a space
for the governor to sign and certify that the State will operate the
WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act programs in accordance with the Plan.
The designated Federal Coordinator for the review and approval
process is Janet Sten, E-mail: Sten.Janet@dol.gov; phone: 202-693-3045.
2. Submission Options--Electronic, CD-ROM or Hard Copy Format
States have the option to submit State Plans in an electronic, hard
copy, or CD-ROM format. DOL encourages States to submit State Plans in
electronic format to reduce the reporting and processing burden and to
ensure timely receipt by the Department.
a. Electronic Submission. States can submit a State Plan
electronically either by posting it on an Internet Web site that is
accessible to the Department or by transmitting it through E-mail to
the Department. State Plan certifications with electronic signatures
are acceptable. If a State chooses not to use an electronic signature,
then the signature page (Attachment A) must be submitted in hard copy.
i. Posting State Plans on an Internet Web Site. Under this option,
a State should post its State Plan on an Internet Web site; inform the
Federal Coordinator and the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator (as
listed in Attachment D) through electronic mail of the URL and the
location of the document on the Web site; provide contact information
in the event of problems with accessing the Web site; and certify that
no changes will be made to the version of the State Plan posted on the
Web site after it has been submitted to the Department, unless the
Department gives prior approval for such changes.
ii. Transmitting State Plans by E-Mail. States submitting their
Plan by electronic mail should send it to WIA.PLAN@DOL.GOV with a copy
sent to the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator (as listed in
Attachment D). If a State chooses to submit its State Plan by
transmitting it through electronic mail, the State must submit it in
Microsoft Word or PDF format.
b. Hard Copy or CD-ROM Submission. States choosing to submit a hard
copy should submit one copy of the Plan with an original signature to
the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator (as listed in Attachment
[[Page 72858]]
D), and one copy to Janet Sten, the Federal Coordinator for Plan Review
and Approval.
Division of Workforce System Support, Employment and Training
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW.,
Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210, ATTN: Janet Sten.
States submitting a State Plan on CD-ROM should submit one copy of
the Plan to Janet Sten, the Federal Coordinator for Plan Review and
Approval, and one copy to the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator
(as listed in Attachment D). If the State Plan on the CD-ROM does not
include the signature of the governor on the signature page, the State
must submit separately an electronic signature or a signature page in
hard copy. Plans submitted on a CD-ROM must be in Microsoft Word or PDF
format.
3. Receipt Confirmation
The Federal Coordinator, without regard to which option the State
uses for submission, will confirm receipt of the State Plan within two
business days of receipt and indicate the date for the start of the
review period. When a State submits an incomplete State Plan, the
period for review will not start until all required components of the
State Plan have been received.
C. Department of Labor Review and Approval
State Plans will be reviewed in accordance with 20 CFR 661.220(e),
which provides that the Secretary must approve all State Plans within
90 days of their submission, unless the Secretary determines in writing
that: (1) the State Plan is inconsistent with the provisions of title I
of WIA or the WIA regulations, including 29 CFR 37; or (2) the portion
of the State Plan impacting the Wagner-Peyser Act Plan does not satisfy
the criteria for approval in section 8(d) of the Wagner-Peyser Act or
the Wagner-Peyser Act regulations at 20 CFR 652.
ETA will advise the State by letter, as soon as possible, that the
State Plan is approved or disapproved. If the State Plan is not
approved, ETA will clearly indicate the reasons for disapproval and
specify what additional information is required or what action needs to
be taken for the State Plan to be approved.
D. Negotiated Performance Indicators
WIA allows considerable flexibility in system design and service
delivery, in exchange for both accountability for a key set of outcomes
and improving those outcomes over time. To accomplish this, the
Secretary of Labor and the governor of each State must reach agreement
on the State's negotiated performance levels for the core indicators of
performance, and for customer satisfaction indicators of employers' and
participants' satisfaction. These levels of performance become the
basis for sanctions for failed performance and, with additional
performance levels for WIA title II Adult Education and Family Literacy
Act programs and Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of
2006 programs, the basis for incentive grants.
At a minimum, the State Plan should include proposed performance
goals for WIA and Wagner-Peyser Act programs for each of the
performance indicators for each program year covered by the Plan. While
the State Plan is under review, the ETA Regional Administrator and the
State will discuss the performance levels, and negotiate on them as
appropriate. The Department expects States to enter into preliminary
discussions with the Local Workforce Investment Boards and the ETA
Regional Administrators before submitting the State Plan. States are
expected to come to the negotiating table with support from their Local
Workforce Investment Boards for the proposed performance goals.
Entering into preliminary discussions prior to Plan submission will
maximize the time available to States, local areas, and the Department
to develop a shared set of goals. ETA Regional Administrators will
coordinate with other DOL program administrators, including the
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) Regional
Administrators, to assure comprehensive Departmental participation.
States should note that the proposed levels of performance are
subject to public review and comment requirements. States that have
completed negotiations with ETA should include their agreed-upon levels
of performance for each program year covered by the Plan for the WIA
and Wagner-Peyser Act programs.
In cases where final agreement on performance goals is reached
after the State Plan is submitted to ETA for review and approval, but
before ETA approval of the State Plan, the letter advising the States
of approval of the State Plan will include ETA's approval of the
agreed-upon goals.
In cases where final agreement on performance goals has not been
reached until after the State Plan has been approved, the ETA Regional
Administrator's letter advising the State of the agreed-upon goals will
constitute a modification to the State Plan. For subsequent revisions
to performance goals during the life of the State Plan, the ETA
Regional Administrator's letter advising the State of the agreed upon
goals will also constitute a modification to the State Plan. The State
must ensure that the agreed-upon goals are included in the State's
official copy of the State Plan, and that any published State Plan, on
the State's Web site or through other forums, includes the agreed-upon
goals. ETA will incorporate these performance goals into the Regional
and National Office copies of the State's Plan.
E. Modifications to State Plans
Modifications may be needed in any number of areas to keep the
State Plan a viable, living document over its life span. WIA
regulations permit States to modify their Plan at any time and 20 CFR
652.212 and 661.230 outline the circumstances under which modifications
must be submitted. Modifications are required when:
(1) Changes in Federal or State law or policy substantially change
the assumptions upon which the Plan is based.
(2) There are changes in the statewide vision, strategies,
policies, performance indicators, the methodology used to determine
local allocation of funds, reorganizations which change the working
relationship with system employees, changes in organizational
responsibilities, changes to the membership structure of the State
Board or alternative entity and similar substantial changes to the
State's workforce investment system.
(3) The State has failed to meet performance goals, and must adjust
service strategies.
The regulations, at 20 CFR 652.212, which relate to the Wagner-
Peyser Act portions of the Plan, also require modifications when there
is any reorganization of the State agency designated to deliver
services under the Wagner-Peyser Act, any change in service delivery
strategy, any change in levels of performance when performance goals
are not met, or any change in services delivered by State merit-staff
employees.
In general, it is substantial changes to the Strategic State Plan
that require a modification under the regulations, i.e., any change
that significantly impacts the operation of the State's workforce
investment system.
Modifications to the State Plan are subject to the same public
review and comment requirements that apply to the development of the
original State Plan. States wishing to submit a State Plan
modifications should follow the submission guidelines listed in Section
B, ``Plan Submission Requirements.''
[[Page 72859]]
States should direct any questions about the need to submit a Plan
modification to the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator (as listed
in Attachment D).
F. Inquiries
General inquiries about the State Planning Guidance and
Instructions may be directed to Janet Sten, the Federal Coordinator for
Plan Review and Approval. She may be contacted by E-mail at
Sten.Janet@dol.gov or by phone at 202-693-3045. Inquiries about
specific State issues should be directed to the appropriate ETA
Regional Administrator (as listed in Attachment D).
State Plan Contents
I. State Vision. Describe the governor's vision for a statewide
workforce investment system. Provide a summary articulating the
governor's vision for utilizing the resources of the workforce
investment system in support of the State's economic development that
address the issues and questions below. States are encouraged to attach
more detailed documents to expand upon any aspect of the summary
response if available. (Sec. 112(a) and (b)(4)(A-C).)
A. What are the State's economic development goals for attracting,
retaining and growing business and industry within the State? (Sec.
112(a) and (b)(4)(A-C).)
B. Given that a skilled workforce is a key to the economic success
of every business, what is the governor's vision for maximizing and
leveraging the broad array of Federal and State resources available for
workforce investment flowing through the State's cabinet agencies and/
or education agencies in order to ensure a skilled workforce for the
State's business and industry? (Sec. 112(a) and (b)(4)(A-C).)
C. Given the continuously changing skill needs that business and
industry have as a result of innovation and new technology, what is the
Governor's vision for ensuring a continuum of education and training
opportunities that support a skilled workforce? (Sec. 112(a) and
(b)(4)(A-C).)
D. What is the governor's vision for bringing together the key
players in workforce development including business and industry,
economic development, education, and the workforce investment system to
continuously identify the workforce challenges facing the State and to
develop innovative strategies and solutions that effectively leverage
resources to address those challenges? (Sec. 112(b)(10).)
E. What is the governor's vision for ensuring that every youth has
the opportunity for developing and achieving career goals through
education and workforce training, including the youth most in need of
assistance, such as out-of-school youth, homeless youth, youth in
foster care, youth aging out of foster care, youth offenders, children
of incarcerated parents, migrant and seasonal farmworker youth, youth
with disabilities, and other youth at risk? (Sec. 112(b)(18)(A.)
II. State Workforce Investment Priorities. Identify the governor's
key workforce investment priorities for the State's workforce
investment system and how each will lead to actualizing the governor's
vision for workforce and economic development. (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2)
and 112(a).)
III. State Governance Structure (Sec. 112(b)(8)(A).)
A. Organization of State Agencies
1. Provide an organizational chart that delineates the relationship
to the governor of the agencies involved in the workforce investment
system, including education and economic development and the required
and optional One-Stop partner programs managed by each agency.
2. In a narrative describe how the agencies involved in the
workforce investment system interrelate on workforce, economic
development, and education issues and the respective lines of
authority.
B. State Workforce Investment Board (Sec. 112(b)(1).)
1. Describe the organization and structure of the State Board.
(Sec. 111.)
2. Identify the organizations or entities represented on the State
Board. If you are using an alternative entity which does not contain
all the members required under section 111(b)(1) of WIA, describe how
each of the entities required under this section will be involved in
planning and implementing the State's workforce investment system as
envisioned in WIA. How is the alternative entity achieving the State's
WIA goals? (Sec. Sec. 111(a-c), 111(e), and 112(b)(1).)
3. Describe the process your State used to identify your State
Board members. How did you select Board members, including business
representatives, who have optimum policy-making authority and who
represent diverse regions of the State as required under WIA? (20 CFR
661.200).)
4. Describe how the Board's membership enables you to achieve your
vision as described above. (Sec. Sec. 111(a-c) and 112(b)(1).)
5. Describe how the Board carries out its functions as required in
section 111(d) of WIA and 20 CFR 661.205. Include functions the Board
has assumed that are in addition to those required. Identify any
functions required in section 111(d) of WIA that the Board does not
perform and explain why.
6. How will the State Board ensure that the public (including
people with disabilities) has access to Board meetings and information
regarding State Board activities, including membership and meeting
minutes? (20 CFR 661.205).
7. Identify the circumstances which constitute a conflict of
interest for any State or Local Workforce Investment Board member or
the entity that s/he represents, and any matter that would provide a
financial benefit to that member or his or her immediate family.
(Sec. Sec. 111(f), 112(b)(13), and 117(g).)
8. What resources does the State provide the Board to carry out its
functions (e.g., staff, funding, etc.)?
C. State Agencies and State Board Collaboration and Communication.
(Sec. 112(b)(8)(A).)
1. Describe the steps the State will take to improve operational
collaboration of the workforce investment activities and other related
activities and programs outlined in section 112(b)(8)(A) of WIA, at
both the State and local level (e.g., joint activities, memoranda of
understanding, planned mergers, coordinated policies, etc.). How will
the State Board and agencies eliminate any existing State-level
barriers to coordination? (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2) and 112(b)(8)(A).)
2. Describe the lines of communication established by the governor
to ensure open and effective sharing of information among the State
agencies responsible for implementing the vision for the workforce
investment system and between the State agencies and the State
Workforce Investment Board.
3. Describe the lines of communication and mechanisms established
by the governor to ensure timely and effective sharing of information
between the State agencies/State Board and local workforce investment
areas and Local Boards. Include types of regularly issued guidance and
how Federal guidance is disseminated to Local Boards and One-Stop
Career Centers. (Sec. 112(b)(1).)
4. Describe any cross-cutting organizations or bodies at the State
level designed to guide and inform an integrated vision for serving
youth in the State within the context of workforce investment, social
services,
[[Page 72860]]
juvenile justice, and education. Describe the membership of such bodies
and the functions and responsibilities in establishing priorities and
services for youth. How is the State promoting a collaborative cross-
agency approach for both policy development and service delivery at the
local level for youth? (Sec. 112(b)(18)(A).)
IV. Economic and Labor Market Analysis. (Sec. 112(b)(4)): As a
foundation for this Plan and to inform the strategic investments and
strategies that flow from this Plan, provide a detailed analysis of the
State's economy, the labor pool, and the labor market context. Elements
of the analysis should include the following:
A. What is the current makeup of the State's economic base by
industry?
B. What industries and occupations are projected to grow and/or
decline in the short term and over the next decade?
C. In what industries and occupations is there a demand for skilled
workers and available jobs, both today and projected over the next
decade? Estimate projected demand.
D. What jobs/occupations are most critical to the State's economy?
E. What are the skill needs for the available, critical and
projected jobs?
F. What are the current and projected demographics of the available
labor pool (including the incumbent workforce) both now and over the
next decade?
G. Is the State experiencing any ``in migration'' or ``out
migration'' of workers that impact the labor pool?
H. Based on an analysis of both the projected demand for skills and
the available and projected labor pool, what skill gaps is the State
experiencing today and what skill gaps are projected over the next
decade?
I. Based on an analysis of the economy and the labor market, what
workforce development issues has the State identified?
J. What workforce development issues has the State prioritized as
being most critical to its economic health and growth?
V. Overarching State Strategies
A. Identify how the State will use WIA title I funds to leverage
other Federal, State, local, and private resources in order to maximize
the effectiveness of such resources and to expand the participation of
business, employees, and individuals in the statewide workforce
investment system? (Sec. 112(b)(10).)
B. What strategies are in place to address the national strategic
direction discussed in Part I of this guidance, the governor's
priorities, and the workforce development issues identified through the
analysis of the State's economy and labor market? (Sec. 112(b)(4)(D)
and 112(a).)
C. Based on the State's economic and labor market analysis, what
strategies has the State implemented or planned to implement to target
industries and occupations within the State that are high-growth, high-
demand, and vital to the State's economy? (Sec. 112(a) and
112(b)(4)(A).) The State may want to consider:
1. Industries projected to add a substantial number of new jobs to
the economy; or
2. Industries that have a significant impact on the overall
economy; or
3. Industries that impact the growth of other industries; or
4. Industries that are being transformed by technology and
innovation that require new skill sets for workers; or
5. Industries that are new and emerging and are expected to grow.
D. What strategies are in place to promote and develop on-going and
sustained strategic partnerships that include business and industry,
economic development, the workforce investment system, and education
partners (K-12, community colleges and others) for the purpose of
continuously identifying workforce challenges and developing solutions
to targeted industries' workforce challenges? (Sec. 112(b)(8).)
E. What State strategies are in place to ensure that sufficient
system resources are being spent to support training of individuals in
high-growth, high-demand industries? (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(i) and
112(b)(4)(A).)
F. What workforce strategies does the State have to support the
creation, sustainability, and growth of small businesses and support
for the workforce needs of small businesses as part of the State's
economic strategy? (Sec. 112(b)(4)(A) and 112(b)(17)(A)(i).)
G. How are the funds reserved for statewide activities used to
incentivize the entities that make up the State's workforce investment
system at the State and local levels to achieve the governor's vision
and address the national strategic direction identified in Part I of
this guidance? (Sec. 112(a).)
H. Describe the State's strategies to promote collaboration between
the workforce investment system, education, human services, juvenile
justice, and other systems to better serve youth that are most in need
and have significant barriers to employment, and to successfully
connect them to education and training opportunities that lead to
successful employment. (Sec. 112(b)(18)(A).)
I. Describe the State's strategies to identify State laws,
regulations, policies that impede successful achievement of workforce
development goals and strategies to change or modify them. (Sec.
112(b)(2).)
J. Describe how the State will take advantage of the flexibility
provisions in WIA for waivers and the option to obtain approval as a
workflex State pursuant to Sec. 189(i) and Sec. 192.
VI. Major State Policies and Requirements. Describe major State
policies and requirements that have been established to direct and
support the development of a statewide workforce investment system not
described elsewhere in this Plan as outlined below. (Sec. 112(b)(2).)
A. What State policies and systems are in place or planned to
support common data collection and reporting processes, information
management, integrated service delivery, and performance management?
(Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2) and 112(b)(8)(B).)
B. What State policies are in place that promote efficient use of
administrative resources such as requiring more co-location and fewer
affiliate sites in local One-Stop systems to eliminate duplicative
facility and operational costs or requiring a single administrative
structure at the local level to support Local Boards and to be the
fiscal agent for WIA funds to avoid duplicative administrative costs
that could otherwise be used for service delivery and training? The
State may include administrative cost controls, plans, reductions, and
targets for reductions if it has established them. (Sec. Sec.
111(d)(2) and 112(b)(8)(A).)
C. What State policies are in place to promote universal access and
consistency of service statewide? (Sec. 112(b)(2).)
D. What policies support a demand-driven approach to workforce
development, as described in Part I, ``Demand-Driven Workforce
Investment System--such as training on the economy and labor market
data for Local Board and One-Stop Career Center staff? (Sec. 112(b)(4)
and 112(b)(17)(A)(iv).)
E. What policies are in place to ensure that the resources
available through the Federal and/or State Registered Apprenticeship
programs and the Job Corps are fully integrated with the State's One-
Stop delivery system? (Sec. 112)(b)(17)(A)(iv).)
VII. Integration of One-Stop Service Delivery. Describe the actions
the State has taken to ensure an integrated One-Stop service delivery
system statewide. (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(14) and 121).)
A. What State policies and procedures are in place to ensure the
quality of
[[Page 72861]]
service delivery through One-Stop Career Centers such as development of
minimum guidelines for operating comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers,
competencies for One-Stop Career Center staff or development of a
certification process for One-Stop Career Centers? (Sec. 112(b)(14).)
B. What policies or guidance has the State issued to support
maximum integration of service delivery through the One-Stop delivery
system for both business customers and individual customers? (Sec.
112(b)(14).)
C. What actions has the State taken to promote identifying One-Stop
infrastructure costs and developing models or strategies for local use
that support integration? (Sec. 112(b)(14).)
D. How does the State use the funds reserved for statewide
activities pursuant to Sec. 129(b)(2)(B) and 134(a)(2)(B)(v) to assist
in the establishment and operation of One-Stop delivery systems? (Sec.
112(b)(14).)
E. How does the State ensure the full array of services and staff
in the One-Stop delivery system support human capital solutions for
businesses and individual customers broadly? (Sec. 112(b)(14).)
VIII. Administration and Oversight of Local Workforce Investment System
A. Local Area Designations
1. Identify the State's designated local workforce investment areas
and the date of the most recent area designation, including whether the
State is currently re-designating local areas. (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(5).)
2. Include a description of the process used to designate such
areas. Describe how the State considered the extent to which such local
areas are consistent with labor market areas: geographic areas served
by local and intermediate education agencies, post-secondary education
institutions and area career and technical education schools; and all
other criteria identified in section 116(a)(1) in establishing area
boundaries, to assure coordinated planning. Describe the State Board's
role, including all recommendations made on local designation requests
pursuant to section 116(a)(4). (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(5) and 116(a)(1).)
3. Describe the appeals process used by the State to hear appeals
of local area designations referred to in Sec. Sec. 112(b)(5) and
116(a)(5).
B. Local Workforce Investment Boards--Identify the criteria the
State has established to be used by the Chief Elected Official(s) in
the local areas for the appointment of Local Board members based on the
requirements of section 117. (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(6), 117(b).)
C. How will the State build the capacity of Local Boards to develop
and manage a high performing local workforce investment system?
(Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2) and 112(b)(14).)
D. Local Planning Process (Sec. 112(b)(2) and 20 CFR
661.350(a)(13))--Describe the State mandated requirements for local
workforce areas' strategic planning, and the assistance the State
provides to local areas to facilitate this process, including:
1. What oversight of the local planning process is provided,
including receipt and review of plans and negotiation of performance
agreements?
2. How does the Local Plan approval process ensure that Local Plans
are consistent with State performance goals and State strategic
direction?
Regional Planning (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(2) and 116(c).)
1. Describe any intra-State or inter-State regions and their
corresponding performance measures.
2. Include a discussion of the purpose of these designations and
the activities (such as regional planning, information sharing and/or
coordination activities) that will occur to help improve performance.
For example, regional planning efforts could result in the sharing of
labor market information or in the coordination of transportation and
support services across the boundaries of local areas.
3. For inter-State regions (if applicable), describe the roles of
the respective governors and State and Local Boards.
E. Allocation Formulas (Sec. 112(b)(12).)
1. If applicable, describe the methods and factors (including
weights assigned to each factor) the State will use to distribute funds
to local areas for the thirty percent discretionary formula Adult
employment and training funds and Youth funds pursuant to Sec. Sec.
128(b)(3)(B) and 133(b)(3)(B).
2. Describe how the allocation methods and factors help ensure that
funds are distributed equitably throughout the State and that there
will be no significant shifts in funding levels to a local area on a
year-to-year basis.
3. Describe the State's allocation formula for dislocated worker
funds under Sec. 133(b)(2)(B).
4. Describe how the individuals and entities on the State Board
were involved in the development of the methods and factors, and how
the State consulted with Chief Elected Officials in local areas
throughout the State in determining such distribution.
F. Provider Selection Policies (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(iii), 122,
and 134(d)(2)(F).)
1. Identify the State policies and procedures, to be applied by
local areas, for determining eligibility of local level training
providers, how performance information will be used to determine
continuing eligibility and the agency responsible for carrying out
these activities.
2. Describe how the State solicited recommendations from Local
Boards and training providers and interested members of the public,
including representatives of business and labor organizations, in the
development of these policies and procedures.
3. Describe how the State will update and expand the State's
eligible training provider list to ensure it has the most current list
of providers to meet the training needs of customers.
4. Describe the procedures the governor has established for
providers of training services to appeal a denial of eligibility by the
Local Board or the designated State agency, a termination of
eligibility or other action by the Board or agency, or a denial of
eligibility by a One-Stop operator. Such procedures must include the
opportunity for a hearing and time limits to ensure prompt resolution.
5. Describe the competitive and non-competitive processes that will
be used at the State level to award grants and contracts for activities
under title I of WIA, including how potential bidders are being made
aware of the availability of grants and contracts. (Sec. 112(b)(16).)
6. Identify the criteria to be used by Local Boards in awarding
grants for Youth activities, including criteria that the governor and
Local Boards will use to identify effective and ineffective Youth
activities and providers of such activities. (Sec. 112(b)(18)(B).)
G. One-Stop Policies (Sec. 112(d)(14).)
1. Describe how the services provided by each of the required and
optional One-Stop partners will be coordinated and made available
through the One-Stop system. (Sec. 112(b)(8)(A).)
2. Describe how the State helps local areas identify areas needing
improvement and how technical assistance will be provided.
3. Identify any additional State mandated One-Stop partners (such
as Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamp Employment and
Training) and how their programs and services are integrated into the
One-Stop Career Centers.
H. Oversight/Monitoring Process--Describe the monitoring and
oversight criteria and procedures the State utilizes to move the system
toward the State's vision and achieve the goals identified above, such
as the use of mystery
[[Page 72862]]
shoppers, performance agreements. (Sec. 112(b)(14).)
I. Grievance Procedures. Attach a copy of the State's grievance
procedures for participants and other affected parties (including
service providers.) (Sec. Sec. 122(g) and 181(c).)
J. Describe the following State policies or procedures that have
been developed to facilitate effective local workforce investment
systems (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(17)(A) and 112(b)(2)):
1. State guidelines for the selection of One-Stop providers by
Local Boards;
2. Procedures to resolve impasse situations at the local level in
developing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to ensure full
participation of all required partners in the One-Stop delivery system;
3. Criteria by which the State will determine if Local Boards can
run programs in-house;
4. Performance information that on-the-job training and customized
training providers must provide;
5. Reallocation policies;
6. State policies for approving local requests for authority to
transfer funds between the Adult and Dislocated Worker funding streams
at the local level;
7. Policies related to displaced homemakers, nontraditional
training for low-income individuals, older workers, low-income
individuals, disabled individuals and others with multiple barriers to
employment and training;
8. If the State did not delegate this responsibility to Local
Boards, provide the State's definition regarding the sixth Youth
eligibility criterion at section 101(13)(C)(iv) (``an individual who
requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or
to secure and hold employment''). (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(18)(A) and 20 CFR
664.210).)
IX. Service Delivery--Describe the approaches the State will use to
provide direction and support to Local Boards and the One-Stop Career
Center delivery system on the strategic priorities to guide
investments, structure business engagement, and inform service delivery
approaches for all customers. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)) Activities could
include:
A. One-Stop Service Delivery Strategies: (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(2) and
111(d)(2).)
1. How will the services provided by each of the required and
optional One-Stop partners be coordinated and made available through
the One-Stop system? (Sec. 112(b)(8)(A).)
2. How are Youth formula programs funded under Sec. 128(b)(2)(A)
integrated in the One-Stop system?
3. What minimum service delivery requirements does the State
mandate in a comprehensive One-Stop Career Center or an affiliate site?
4. What tools and products has the State developed to support
service delivery in all One-Stop Career Centers statewide?
5. What models/templates/approaches does the State recommend and/or
mandate for service delivery in the One-Stop Career Centers? For
example, do all One-Stop Career Centers have a uniform method of
organizing their service delivery to business customers? Is there a
common individual assessment process utilized in every One-Stop Career
Center? Are all One-Stop Career Centers required to have a resource
center that is open to anyone?
B. Workforce Information--A fundamental component of a demand-
driven workforce investment system is the integration and application
of the best available State and local workforce information including,
but not limited to, economic data, labor market information, Census
data, private sources of workforce information produced by trade
associations and others, educational data, job vacancy surveys,
transactional data from job boards, and information obtained directly
from businesses. (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(8), 112(b)(1), and 134(d)(2)(E).)
1. Describe how the State will integrate workforce information into
its planning and decision making at the State and local level,
including State and Local Boards, One-Stop operations, and case manager
guidance.
2. Describe the approach the State will use to disseminate accurate
and timely workforce information to businesses, job seekers, and
employment counselors, in easy to use formats that are readily
accessible within One-Stop Career Centers and at remote locations such
as libraries, schools, worksites, and at home.
3. Describe how the activities funded through ETA's Workforce
Information Grants to the State are aligned with other workforce
activities to ensure that the investments in core products and services
support the State's overall strategic direction for workforce
investment.
4. Describe how State workforce information products and tools are
coordinated with the national electronic workforce information tools
including America's Career Information Network and Career Voyages.
C. Adults and Dislocated Workers
1. Core Services. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(a)(i).)
a. Describe State strategies and policies to ensure adults and
dislocated workers have universal access to the minimum required core
services as described in Sec. 134(d)(2).
b. Describe how the State will ensure the three-tiered service
delivery strategy for labor exchange services for job seekers and
employers authorized by the Wagner-Peyser Act includes: (1) Self-
service, (2) facilitated self-help service, and (3) staff-assisted
service, and is accessible and available to all customers at the local
level.
c. Describe how the State will integrate resources provided under
the Wagner-Peyser Act and WIA title I for adults and dislocated workers
as well as resources provided by required One-Stop partner programs, to
deliver core services.
2. Intensive Services. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(a)(i).) Describe State
strategies and policies to ensure adults and dislocated workers who
meet the criteria in Sec. 134(d)(3)(A) receive intensive services as
defined.
3. Training Services. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(i).)
a. Describe the governor's vision for increasing training access
and opportunities for individuals including the investment of WIA title
I funds and the leveraging of other funds and resources.
b. Individual Training Accounts (ITAs):
i. What policy direction has the State provided for ITAs?
ii. Describe innovative training strategies used by the State to
fill skills gaps. Include in the discussion the State's efforts to
leverage additional resources to maximize the use of ITAs through
partnerships with business, education (in particular, community and
technical colleges), economic development agencies, and industry
associations and how business and industry involvement is used to drive
this strategy.
iii. Discuss the State's plan for committing all or part of WIA
title I funds to training opportunities in high-growth, high-demand,
and economically vital occupations.
iv. Describe the State's policy for limiting ITAs (e.g., dollar
amount or duration).
v. Describe the State's current or planned use of WIA title I funds
for the provision of training through Registered Apprenticeship.
vi. Identify State policies that permit the use of WIA title I
financial assistance to employ or train participants in religious
activities when the assistance is provided indirectly, such as through
an ITA. (29 CFR 37.6(f); 20 CFR 667.266 and 667.275.)
c. Eligible Training Provider List. Describe the State's process
for providing broad customer access to the statewide list of eligible
training
[[Page 72863]]
providers and their performance information including at every One-Stop
Career Center. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(iii).)
d. On-the-Job (OJT) and Customized Training (Sec. Sec.
112(b)(17)(A)(i) and 134(b).). Based on the outline below, describe the
State's major directions, policies and requirements related to OJT and
customized training.
i. Describe the governor's vision for increasing training
opportunities to individuals through the specific delivery vehicles of
OJT and customized training.
ii. Describe how the State:
Identifies OJT and customized training opportunities;
Markets OJT and customized training as an incentive to
untapped employer pools including new business to the State and
employer groups;
Partners with high-growth, high-demand industries and
economically vital industries to develop potential OJT and customized
training strategies;
Taps business partners to help drive the demand-driven
strategy through joint planning, competency and curriculum development,
and determining appropriate lengths of training; and
Leverages other resources through education, economic
development and industry associations to support OJT and customized
training ventures.
4. Service to Specific Populations. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(iv).)
a. Describe the State's strategies to ensure that the full range of
employment and training programs and services delivered through the
State's One-Stop delivery system are accessible to and will meet the
needs of dislocated workers, displaced homemakers, low-income
individuals, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, women, minorities,
individuals training for non-traditional employment, veterans, public
assistance recipients and individuals with multiple barriers to
employment (including older individuals, limited English proficiency
(LEP) individuals, and people with disabilities).
b. Describe the reemployment services the State provides to
unemployment insurance claimants and the Worker Profiling services
provided to claimants identified as most likely to exhaust their
unemployment insurance benefits in accordance with section 3(c)(3) of
the Wagner-Peyser Act.
c. Describe how the State administers the unemployment insurance
work test and how feedback requirements (under section 7(a)(3)(F) of
the Wagner-Peyser Act) for all UI claimants are met.
d. Describe the State's strategy for integrating and aligning
services to dislocated workers provided through the WIA rapid response,
WIA Dislocated Worker, and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs.
Does the State have a policy supporting co-enrollment for WIA and TAA?
e. How is the State's workforce investment system working
collaboratively with business and industry and the education community
to develop strategies to overcome barriers to skill achievement and
employment experienced by the populations listed in paragraph (a.)
above and to ensure they are being identified as a critical pipeline of
workers?
f. Describe how the State will ensure that the full array of One-
Stop services is available to individuals with disabilities and that
the services are fully accessible.
g. Describe the role Local Veterans' Employment Representative/
Disabled Veteran's Outreach Program (LVER/DVOP) staff have in the One-
Stop delivery system. How will the State ensure adherence to the
legislative requirements for veterans' employment program staff? How
will services under this Plan take into consideration the agreement
reached between the Secretary and the State regarding veterans'
employment programs? (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(7), 112(b)(17)((B), and 322; 38
U.S.C. Chapter 41; and 20 CFR 1001.120).)
h. DOL regulations at 29 CFR 37 require all recipients of Federal
financial assistance from DOL to provide meaningful access to LEP
individuals. Federal financial assistance includes grants, training,
equipment usage, donations of surplus property, and other assistance.
The regulations also apply to sub-recipients when Federal DOL funds are
passed through from one recipient to a sub-recipient. Describe how the
State will ensure access to services through the State's One-Stop
delivery system by persons with limited English proficiency and how the
State will meet the requirements of ETA Training and Employment
Guidance Letter (TEGL) 26-02 (May 29, 2003), which provides guidance on
methods of complying with the Federal rule.
i. Describe the State's strategies to enhance and integrate service
delivery through the One-Stop delivery system for migrant and seasonal
farmworkers and agricultural employers. How will the State ensure that
migrant and seasonal farmworkers have equal access to employment
opportunities through the State's One-Stop delivery system? Include the
number of migrant and seasonal farmworkers the State anticipates
reaching annually through outreach to increase their ability to access
core, intensive, and training services in the One-Stop Career Center
System.
5. Priority of Service
a. What procedures and criteria are in place under 20 CFR 663.600
for the governor and appropriate Local Boards to direct One-Stop
operators to give priority of service to public assistance recipients
and other low-income individuals for intensive and training services if
funds allocated to a local area for adult employment and training
activities are determined to be limited? (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(iv)
and 134(d)(4)(E).)
b. What policies and strategies does the State have in place to
ensure that, pursuant to the Jobs for Veterans Act (Pub. L. 107-288)
(38 U.S.C. 4215), that priority of service is provided to veterans (and
certain spouses) who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for
all employment and training programs funded by DOL, in accordance with
the provisions of Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 5-03
(September 16, 2003)?
D. Rapid Response. Describe how your State provides Rapid Response
services with the funds reserved under section 133(a)(2). (Sec.
112(b)(17)(A)(ii).)
1. Identify the entity responsible for providing Rapid Response
services. Describe how Rapid Response activities involve Local Boards
and Chief Elected Officials. If Rapid Response activities are shared
between the State and local areas, describe the functions of each and
how funds are allocated to the local areas.
2. Describe the process involved in carrying out Rapid Response
activities.
a. What methods are involved in receiving notice of impending
layoffs (include WARN Act notice as well as other sources)?
b. What efforts does the Rapid Response team make to ensure that
Rapid Response services are provided, whenever possible, prior to
layoff date, onsite at the company, and on company time?
c. What services are included in Rapid Response activities? Does
the Rapid Response team provide workshops or other activities in
addition to general informational services to affected workers? How do
you determine what services will be provided for a particular layoff
(including layoffs that may be trade-affected)?
3. How does the State ensure a seamless transition between Rapid
Response services and One-Stop activities for affected workers?
[[Page 72864]]
4. Describe how Rapid Response functions as a business service.
Include whether Rapid Response partners with economic development
agencies to connect employees from companies undergoing layoffs to
similar companies that are growing and need skilled workers. How does
Rapid Response promote the full range of services available to help
companies in all stages of the economic cycle, not just those available
during layoffs. How does the State promote Rapid Response as a
positive, proactive, business-friendly service, rather than only as a
reactive service?
5. In what other partnerships does Rapid Response engage to expand
the range and quality of services available to companies and affected
workers and to develop an effective early layoff warning network?
6. What systems does the Rapid Response team use to track its
activities? Does the State have a comprehensive, integrated Management
Information System that includes Rapid Response, Trade Act programs,
National Emergency Grants, and One-Stop activities?
7. Are Rapid Response funds used for other activities not described
above; e.g., the provision of additional assistance to local areas that
experience increased workers or unemployed individuals due to
dislocation events?
E. Youth. ETA's strategic vision identifies youth most in need--
such as youth who are out-of-school youth, at-risk, in foster care or
aging out of foster care, offenders, children of incarcerated parents,
homeless youth, and migrant and seasonal farmworker youth--as those
most in need of service. State programs and services should take a
comprehensive approach to serving these youth, including basic skills
remediation, helping youth stay in or return to school, employment,
internships, help with attaining a high school diploma or GED, post-
secondary career and technical education training, Registered
Apprenticeship, and enrollment in community and four-year colleges.
(Sec. 112(b)(18).)
1. Describe the State's strategy for providing comprehensive,
integrated services to eligible youth, including those most in need as
described above. Include any State requirements and activities to
assist youth who have special needs or barriers to employment,
including those who are pregnant, parenting, or have disabilities.
Include how the State will coordinate across State agencies responsible
for workforce investment, foster care, education, human services,
juvenile justice, and other relevant resources as part of the strategy.
(Sec. 112(b)(18).)
2. Describe how coordination with Job Corps and other youth
programs will occur. (Sec. 112(b)(18)(C).)
3. How does the State plan to utilize the funds reserved for
statewide activities to support the State's vision for serving youth?
Examples of activities that would be appropriate investments of these
funds include:
a. Utilizing the funds to promote cross agency collaboration;
b. demonstrating cross-cutting models of service delivery;
c. developing new models of alternative education leading to
employment; or
d. developing demand-driven models with business and industry
working collaboratively with the workforce investment system and
education partners to develop strategies for bringing these youth
successfully into the workforce pipeline with the right skills.
4. Describe in general how the State will meet the Act's provisions
regarding Youth program design. (Sec. Sec. 112(b)(18) and 129(c).)
F. Business Services. (Sec. Sec. 112(a) and 112(b)(2).) Provide a
brief description of the types of services the State offers to
businesses, and strategies to improve services to employers, including
a description of how the State intends to:
1. Determine the employer needs in the local areas and on a
statewide basis.
2. Integrate business services, including Wagner-Peyser Act
services, to employers through the One-Stop delivery system.
3. Streamline administration of Federal tax credit programs within
the One-Stop system to maximize employer participation. (20 CFR
652.3(b), Sec. 112(b)(17)(A)(i).)
G. Innovative Service Delivery Strategies. Describe innovative
service delivery strategies the State has or is planning to undertake
to maximize resources, increase service levels, improve service
quality, achieve better integration or meet other key State goals.
Include in the description the initiative's general design, anticipated
outcomes, partners involved and funds leveraged (e.g., title I formula,
statewide reserve, employer contributions, education funds, non-WIA
State funds). (Sec. 112(b)(17)(A).)
H. Strategies for Faith-based and Community Organizations. Reaching
those most in need is a fundamental element of the demand-driven
system's goal to increase the pipeline of needed workers while meeting
the training and employment needs of those most at risk. Faith-based
and community organizations provide unique opportunities for the
workforce investment system to access this pool of workers and meet the
needs of business and industry. (Sec. 112(b)(17)(i).)
1. Describe those activities to be undertaken to:
a. Increase the opportunities for participation of faith-based and
community organizations as committed and active partners in the One-
Stop delivery system; and
b. expand the access of faith-based and community organizations'
clients and customers to the services offered by the One-Stop Career
Centers in the State.
2. Outline those action steps designed to strengthen State
collaboration efforts with local workforce investment areas in
conducting outreach campaigns to educate faith-based and community
organizations about the attributes and objectives of the demand-driven
workforce investment system.
3. Indicate how these resources can be strategically and
effectively leveraged in the State's workforce investment areas to help
meet the objectives of the Workforce Investment Act.
X. State Administration
A. What technology infrastructure and/or management information
systems does the State have in place to support the State and local
workforce investment activities such as a One-Stop operating system
designed to facilitate case management and service delivery across
programs, a State job matching system, web-based self service tools for
customers, fiscal management systems, etc.? (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2),
112(b)(1), and 112(b)(8)(B).)
B. Describe the State's plan for use of the funds reserved for
statewide activities under WIA Sec. 128 (a)(1).
C. Performance Management and Accountability.
Improved performance and accountability for customer-focused
results are central features of WIA. To improve, States need not only
reporting systems in place to collect data and track outcomes based on
service delivery, but also performance management and accountability
systems to analyze the information and modify strategies to improve
performance. (See Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 17-05,
Common Measures Policy for the Employment and Training Administration's
(ETA) Performance Accountability System and Related Performance Issues,
issued February 17, 2006.) In this section, describe how the State
measures the success of its strategies in achieving its goals, and
[[Page 72865]]
how the State uses these data to continuously improve the system.
1. Describe the State's performance accountability system,
including any State-system measures and the State's performance goals
established with local areas. Identify the performance indicators and
goals the State has established to track its progress toward meeting
its strategic goals and implementing its vision for the workforce
investment system. For each of the core indicators, explain how the
State worked with Local Boards to determine the level of the
performance goals. Include a discussion of how the levels compare with
the State's previous outcomes as well as with the State-adjusted levels
of performance established for other States (if available), taking into
account differences in economic conditions, the characteristics of
participants when they entered the program and the services to be
provided. Include a description of how the levels will help the State
achieve continuous improvement over the life of the Plan. (Sec. Sec.
112(b)(3) and 136(b)(3).)
2. Describe any targeted applicant groups, such as TANF recipients,
veterans, ex-offenders, and migrant and seasonal farmworkers, under WIA
title I, the Wagner-Peyser Act or title 38 Chapters 41 and 42 (Veterans
Employment and Training Programs) that the State tracks. (Sec. Sec.
111(d)(2), 112(b)(3) and 136(b)(2)(C).)
3. Identify any performance outcomes or measures in addition to
those prescribed by WIA and what process the State is using to track
and report them.
4. Describe the State's common data system and reporting processes
in place to track progress. Describe what performance information will
be collected from the various One-Stop partners (beyond that required
by DOL), use of quarterly wage records, and how the statewide system
will have access to the information needed to continuously improve.
(Sec. 112(b)(8)(B).)
5. Describe any actions the governor and State Board will take to
ensure collaboration with key partners and continuous improvement of
the statewide workforce investment system. (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2)
and112(b)(1).)
6. How do the State and Local Boards evaluate performance? What
corrective actions (including sanctions and technical assistance) will
the State take if performance does not meet expectations? How will the
State and Local Boards use the review process to reinforce the
strategic direction of the system? (Sec. Sec. 111(d)(2), 112(b)(1),
and 112(b)(3).)
7. Include a proposed level for each performance measure for each
program year covered by the Plan. While the Plan is under review, the
State will negotiate with the respective ETA Regional Administrator to
set the appropriate levels. States must identify the performance
indicators required under section 136, and, for each indicator, the
State must develop an objective and quantifiable performance goal for
each program year. States are encouraged to address how the performance
goals for local workforce investment areas and training providers will
help them attain their statewide performance goals. (Sec. Sec.
112(b)(3) and 136.)
D. Administrative Provisions
1. Provide a description of the process for appeals of local area
non-designation referred to in Sec. 116(a)(5).
2. Describe the steps taken by the State to ensure compliance with
the non-discrimination requirements outlined in Sec. 188.
XI. Assurances
1. The State assures that it will establish, in accordance with
section 184 of the Workforce Investment Act, fiscal control and fund
accounting procedures that may be necessary to ensure the proper
disbursement of, and accounting for, funds paid to the State through
the allotments made under sections 127 and 132. (Sec. 112(b)(11).)
2. The State assures that it will comply with section 184(a)(6),
which requires the governor to, every two years, certify to the
Secretary, that--
a. the State has implemented the uniform administrative
requirements referred to in section 184(a)(3);
b. the State has annually monitored local areas to ensure
compliance with the uniform administrative requirements as required
under section 184(a)(4); and
c. the State has taken appropriate action to secure compliance with
section 184 (a)(3) pursuant to section 184(a)(5). (Sec. 184(a)(6).)
3. The State assures that the Adult and Youth funds received under
the Workforce Investment Act will be distributed equitably throughout
the State, and that no local areas will suffer significant shifts in
funding from year to year during the period covered by this Plan.
(Sec. 112(b)(12)(B).)
4. The State assures that veterans will be afforded employment and
training activities authorized in section 134 of the Workforce
Investment Act, and the activities authorized in chapters 41 and 42 of
title 38 U.S. code. The State assures that it will comply with the
veterans priority established in the Jobs for Veterans Act. (38 U.S.C.
4215).)
5. The State assures that the governor shall, once every two years,
certify one Local Board for each local area in the State. (Sec.
117(c)(2).)
6. The State assures that it will comply with the confidentiality
requirements of section 136(f)(3).
7. The State assures that no funds received under the Workforce
Investment Act will be used to assist, promote, or deter union
organizing. (Sec. 181(b)(7).)
8. The State assures that it will comply with the nondiscrimination
provisions of section 188, including an assurance that a Methods of
Administration has been developed and implemented (Sec. 188.)
9. The State assures that it will collect and maintain data
necessary to show compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions of
section 188. (Sec. 185.).
10. The State assures that it will comply with the grant procedures
prescribed by the Secretary (pursuant to the authority at section
189(c) of the Act) which are necessary to enter into grant agreements
for the allocation and payment of funds under the Act. The procedures
and agreements will be provided to the State by the ETA Office of
Grants and Contract Management and will specify the required terms and
conditions and assurances and certifications, including, but not
limited to, the following:
General Administrative Requirements:
[cir] 29 CFR 97--Uniform Administrative Requirements for State and
Local Governments (as amended by the Act)
[cir] 29 CFR 96 (as amended by OMB Circular A-133) --Single Audit
Act
[cir] OMB Circular A-87--Cost Principles (as amended by the Act)
Assurances and Certifications:
[cir] SF 424 B--Assurances for Non-construction Programs
[cir] 29 CFR 37--Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Assurance
(and regulation) 29 CFR 37.20
[cir] 29 CFR 93--Certification Regarding Lobbying (and regulation)
[cir] 29 CFR 98--Drug Free Workplace and Debarment and Suspension
Certifications (and regulation)
Special Clauses/Provisions:
Other special assurances or provisions as may be required under
Federal law or policy, including specific appropriations legislation,
the Workforce Investment Act, or subsequent Executive or Congressional
mandates.
11. The State certifies that the Wagner-Peyser Act Plan, which is
part of this document, has been certified by the State Employment
Security Administrator.
12. The State certifies that veterans' services provided with
Wagner-Peyser
[[Page 72866]]
Act funds will be in compliance with 38 U.S.C. Chapter 41 and 20 CFR
1001.
13. The State certifies that Wagner-Peyser Act-funded labor
exchange activities will be provided by merit-based public employees in
accordance with DOL regulations.
14. The State assures that it will comply with the MSFW significant
office requirements in accordance with 20 CFR 653.
15. The State certifies it has developed this Plan in consultation
with local elected officials, Local Workforce Boards, the business
community, labor organizations and other partners.
16. As a condition to the award of financial assistance from the
Department of Labor under title I of WIA, the grant applicant assures
that it will comply fully with the nondiscrimination and equal
opportunity provisions of the following laws:
[cir] Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA),
which prohibits discrimination against all individuals in the United
States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against
beneficiaries on the basis of either citizenship/status as a lawfully
admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States or
participation in any WIA title I-financially assisted program or
activity;
[cir] Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which
prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color and national
origin;
[cir] Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with
disabilities;
[cir] The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; and
[cir] Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended,
which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational
programs.
The grant applicant also assures that it will comply with 29 CFR 37
and all other regulations implementing the laws listed above. This
assurance applies to the grant applicant's operation of the WIA title
I-financially assisted program or activity, and to all agreements the
grant applicant makes to carry out the WIA title I-financially assisted
program or activity. The grant applicant understands that the United
States has the right to seek judicial enforcement of this assurance.
17. The State assures that funds will be spent in accordance with
the Workforce Investment Act and the Wagner-Peyser Act and their
regulations, written Department of Labor guidance implementing these
laws, and all other applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
OMB Burden Statement
These reporting instructions have been approved under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. Persons are not required to respond to this
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information
includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. Submission is required by the
Workforce Investment Act Section 112(a). Send comments regarding this
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the attention of
Janet Sten at the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workforce
Investment, Room C-4510, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC
20210.
Attachment A
Program Administration Designees and Plan Signatures
Name of WIA Title I Grant Recipient Agency:----------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
Name of State WIA Title I Administrative Agency (if different from the
Grant Recipient):------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
Name of WIA Title I Signatory Official:--------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
Name of WIA Title I Liaison:-------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
Name of Wagner-Peyser Act Grant Recipient/State Employment Security
Agency:----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
Name and Title of State Employment Security Administrator (Signatory
Official):-------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone Number:------------------------------------------------------
Facsimile Number:------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Address:--------------------------------------------------------
As the governor, I certify that for the State/Commonwealth of ----
--------, the agencies and officials designated above have been duly
designated to represent the State/Commonwealth in the capacities
indicated for the Workforce Investment Act, title I, and Wagner-Peyser
Act grant programs. Subsequent changes in the designation of officials
will be provided to the U.S. Department of Labor as such changes occur.
I further certify that we will operate our Workforce Investment Act
and Wagner-Peyser Act programs in accordance with this Plan and the
assurances herein.
Typed Name of Governor-------------------------------------------------
Signature of Governor--------------------------------------------------
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment B
Optional Table for State Performance Indicators and Goals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous year
WIA requirement at section 136(b) performance Performance goal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adults:
Entered Employment Rate......... ................ ................
Employment Retention Rate....... ................ ................
Average Six-Months Earnings..... ................ ................
Certificate Rate................ ................ ................
Dislocated Workers:
Entered Employment Rate......... ................ ................
Employment Retention Rate....... ................ ................
[[Page 72867]]
Average Six-Months Earnings..... ................ ................
Certificate Rate................ ................ ................
Youth Aged 19-21:
Entered Employment Rate......... ................ ................
Employment Retention Rate....... ................ ................
Six-Months Earnings Change...... ................ ................
Certificate Rate................ ................ ................
Youth 14-18:
Skill Attainment Rate........... ................ ................
Diploma or Equivalent Attainment ................ ................
Rate...........................
Retention Rate.................. ................ ................
Youth Common Measures\1\:
Placement in Employment or ................ ................
Education......................
Attainment of a Degree or ................ ................
Certificate....................
Literacy and Numeracy Gains..... ................ ................
Participant Customer ................ ................
Satisfaction...................
Employer Customer Satisfaction.. ................ ................
Additional State-Established ................ ................
Measures...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Goals are negotiated for these measures by states reporting common
performance measure outcomes only.
Attachment C
Local Planning Guidance for Single Workforce Investment Area States
I. Local Plan Submission
Section 118 of the Workforce Investment Act requires that the Board
of each local workforce investment area, in partnership with the
appropriate Chief Elected Official, develop and submit a comprehensive
Local Plan for activities under title I of WIA to the governor for his
or her approval. In States where there is only one local workforce
investment area, the governor serves as both the State and local Chief
Elected Official. In this case, the State must submit both the State
and Local Plans to DOL for review and approval. States may (1) submit
their Local Plan as an attachment to the State Plan or (2) include
these elements within their State Plan, and reference them in an
attachment.
The State Planning Guidance and Instructions on Plan modifications
and the Plan approval process applies to a single workforce investment
area Local Plan for the State, with one addition: DOL will approve a
Local Plan within ninety days of submission, unless it is inconsistent
with the Act and its implementing regulations, or deficiencies in
activities carried out under the Act have been identified and the State
has not made acceptable progress in implementing corrective measures.
(Sec. 112(c).)
II. Plan Content
In the case of single workforce investment area States, much of the
Local Plan information required by section 118 of WIA will be contained
in the State Plan. At a minimum, single workforce investment area Local
Plans for the State shall contain the additional information described
below, and any other information that the governor may require. For
each of the questions, if the answers vary in different areas of the
State, please describe those differences.
A. Plan Development Process
1. Describe the process for developing the Local Plan. Describe the
process and timeline used to provide an opportunity for public comment,
including how local Chief Elected Officials, representatives of
businesses and labor organizations, and other appropriate partners
provided input into the development of the Local Plan, prior to the
submission of the Plan. (Sec. 118(b)(7).)
2. Include with the Local Plan any comments that represent
disagreement with the Plan. (Sec. 118(c)(3).)
B. Services
1. Describe the One-Stop system(s) that will be established in the
State. Describe how the system(s) will ensure the continuous
improvement of eligible providers of services and ensure that such
providers meet the employment and training needs of employers, workers
and job seekers throughout the State. Describe the process for the
selection of One-Stop operator(s), including the competitive process
used or the consortium partners. (Sec. 118(b)(2)(A).)
2. Describe and assess the type and availability of Youth
activities, including an identification of successful providers of such
activities. (Sec. 118(b)(6).)
C. System Infrastructure
1. Identify the entity responsible for the disbursal of grant
funds, as determined by the governor. Describe how funding for areas
within the State will occur. Provide a description of the relationship
between the State and within-State areas regarding the sharing of costs
where co-location occurs. (Sec. 118(b)(8).)
2. Describe the competitive process to be used to award the grants
and contracts in the State for WIA title I activities. (Sec.
118(b)(9).)
Attachment D
ETA Regional Administrators
April 2008
Region 1--Boston
Grace Kilbane, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, JFK
Building, Room E-350, Boston, MA 02203, Phone: 617-788-0170, Fax: 617-
788-0101, E-mail: Kilbane.Grace@dol.gov.
Region 2--Philadelphia
Lenita Jacobs-Simmons, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of
Labor, The Curtis Center, 170 South Independence Mall West, Suite 825
East, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3315, Phone: 215-861-5205, Fax: 215-861-
5260, E-mail: Jacobs-Simmons.Lenita@dol.gov.
Region 3--Atlanta
Helen N. Parker, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, Sam
Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W., Room 6M12,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303, Phone: 404-302-5300, Fax: 404-302-5382, E-mail:
Parker.Helen@dol.gov.
Region 4--Dallas
Joseph C. Juarez, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, A.
Maceo Smith Federal Building, 525 S. Griffin Street, Room 317, Dallas,
Texas 75202, Phone: 972-850-4600, Fax: 972-850-4605, E-mail:
Juarez.Joseph@dol.gov.
Region 5--Chicago
[[Page 72868]]
Byron Zuidema, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, John
Kluczynski Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, Room 638, Chicago, IL
60604, Phone: 312-596-5400, Fax: 312-596-5401, E-mail:
Zuidema.Byron@dol.gov.
Region 6--San Francisco
Richard Trigg, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, George
W. Bush Federal Building, 90 7th Street, Suite 17-300, San Francisco,
California 94103-1516, Phone: 415-625-7900, Fax: 415-625-7903, E-mail:
Trigg.Richard@dol.gov.
Dated: November 24, 2008.
Gay M. Gilbert,
Administrator, Office of Workforce Investment, Employment and Training
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-28404 Filed 11-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P
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