GREATER RHODE ISLAND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Transcription

1 1 GREATER RHODE ISLAND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR: ONE STOP OPERATOR SERVICES OR ONE STOP OPERATOR SERVICES AND PROVIDER OF ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ISSUE DATE: Monday, August 29, 2016 RESPONSE DATE: September 19, 2016 by 4:00 PM

2 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I: Intent 3 II: Overview 3 III: Responsibilities 6 A. One-Stop Operator 7 B. Provider of WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker 11 Programs and Services IV: Response Format 16 Part I: Identifying Information 16 Part II: Response Type 17 Part III: Qualifications and Capacity 19 V: Instructions for Submittal 20

3 3 I: INTENT The intent of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine if there are interested and qualified entities with the capacity to serve as a One-Stop operator for one or more comprehensive One-Stop locations within the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. The One-Stop operator to be selected must ensure that the selected comprehensive One-Stop location (s) is responsive to employer demand, has a community focus and provides a direct connection between the one stop system, employers, job seekers and the programs and services of community based organizations located throughout the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. In addition to this solicitation of interest and qualifications for becoming a One-Stop operator, respondents may also elect to serve as the provider of WIOA adult and dislocated worker programs and services at the One-Stop location (s). The responsibilities of a One-Stop operator and those of a provider of adult and dislocated worker programs and services as set forth by the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Board (GRIWDB) are described in this RFI. Respondents who indicate an interest and are determined to be qualified and have the capacity to serve as One-Stop operator for one or more locations within the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area, as well as those who express an interest and are determined to be qualified and have the capacity to serve as the provider of WIOA adult and dislocated worker programs and services at the One-Stop location (s) are invited to respond to this RFI. II: OVERVIEW This RFI is issued by the GRIWDB that oversees the programs and services authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and that are administered by Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island (WPGRI). WPGRI is the entity that has been designated by the Governor as the chief local elected official in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area that consists of all the cities in the State of Rhode Island with the exception of Providence and Cranston.

4 4 WIOA succeeds the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and is the primary federal legislation that supports workforce development. WIOA was enacted to bring about increased coordination and alignment among federal workforce development and related programs. WIOA includes five titles: Title I Workforce Development Activities authorizes job training and related services to unemployed or underemployed individuals and establishes the governance and performance accountability system for WIOA; Title II Adult Education and Literacy authorizes education services to assist adults in improving their basic skills, completing secondary education, and transitioning to postsecondary education; Title III Amendments to the Wagner-Peyser Act amends the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 to integrate the U.S. Employment Service (ES) into the One-Stop system authorized by WIOA; Title IV Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 authorizes employment-related vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, to integrate vocational rehabilitation into the One-Stop system; and Title V General Provisions specifies transition provisions from WIA to WIOA WIOA continues as the central role of One-Stop centers that was established by WIA in 1998 to provide access to employment and training services. WIOA continues the requirements of WIA for each state to establish a One-Stop delivery system to: Provide career services and access to training services; Provide access to programs and activities carried out by One-Stop partners; and

5 5 Provide access to all workforce and labor market information, job search, placement, recruitment, and labor exchange services authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act. WIOA requires the colocation of the Employment Service with One-Stop centers. Each local workforce development area in a state is required to have at least one physical comprehensive One-Stop center in which the aforementioned programs and services are accessible. Service may be co-located or available through a network of affiliated sites or One- Stop partners linked electronically. One of the characteristics of the WIOA One-Stop system is the establishment of a central point of service for those seeking employment, training, and related services. To this end, WIOA requires that certain partner programs provide access to career services in the One-Stop system and allows additional programs in which to operate. The required partner programs are listed below: MANDATORY PROGRAM ENTITY WIOA Adult Programs WIOA Dislocated Worker Programs WIOA Youth Programs Wagner-Peyser Employment Service Programs RI Department of Labor & Training Unemployment Comprehensive Insurance Programs RI Department of Labor & Training Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs RI Department of Labor & Training Senior Community Service Employment Program RI Department of Labor & Training Trade Adjustment Assistance Programs RI Department of Labor & Training Veterans Employment Programs RI Department of Labor & Training Adult Education and Literacy Programs RI Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation Programs RI Office of Rehabilitation Services Career and Technical Education Programs RI Department of Education Job Corps Programs Exeter Job Corps Academy Youth Build Programs The Providence Plan -Youth Build Providence Native American Programs RI Indian Council Community Service Block Grant Programs Comprehensive Community Action Housing and Urban Development Programs Providence Housing Authority TANF Programs RI Department of Human Services Second Chance Programs Office of the Attorney General

6 6 The WIOA law requires the GRIWDB to designate and certify One-Stop operators through a competitive process. Entities that may serve as a One-Stop operator include: An institute of higher education; An Employment Service state agency; A non-profit entity; A government agency; A non-traditional public secondary school; An area career and technical education school; and/or, Other interested entities. Other than a non-traditional public secondary school or an area career and technical education school, WIOA precludes elementary or secondary schools from eligibility to serve as One-Stop operators. III: RESPONSIBILITIES The GRIWDB is seeking responses from interested and qualified entities that have the capacity to serve as a One-Stop Operator for one or more comprehensive one-stop locations within the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. Respondents may also elect to serve as a One-Stop Operator and the provider of adult and dislocated worker programs and services at the One-Stop location (s). The responsibilities for a One-Stop Operator are detailed in Section A. The responsibilities for a provider of adult and dislocated worker programs and services are detailed in Section B.

7 7 SECTION A: ONE-STOP OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES The primary responsibility of the One-Stop operator (s) selected by the GRIWDB will be to coordinate the service delivery of the required One-Stop partners and service providers at one or more One-Stop locations. Because the GRIWDB is committed to ensure One-Stop services are available throughout the entire Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area, respondents are instructed in this RFI to describe their specific plans in Part III of this RFI to accomplish this. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways to include but not limited to: Designation and management of a comprehensive One-Stop location with satellite One- Stop locations at community-based organizations throughout the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. Designation and management of a comprehensive One-Stop location that includes regularly scheduled out-stationing of mandatory One-Stop partner staff at communitybased organizations throughout the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. Designation and management of a comprehensive One-Stop location that includes hosting onsite staff from community-based organizations located in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. Designation and management of one or more comprehensive community-based one-stop locations in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. Any combination of the above or other service delivery One-Stop system that accomplishes the goal of ensuring One-Stop services are available throughout Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area.

8 8 The entity selected as the One-Stop operator will be responsible for: Identifying one or more comprehensive One-Stop locations or one comprehensive One- Stop location with affiliated locations in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area capable of serving 4,800 unique customers a year representing approximately 10,000 visits annually. Operating a WIOA One-Stop location (s) that is professional and inviting in appearance with easy customer flow and staffed by culturally competent bi-lingual professionals; Being located in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area, being located on a bus route, having sufficient parking spaces for customers and staff and having a building capable of the technology needed for data connectivity; Having One-Stop location with adequate measures of security; Accommodating customers by July 1, 2017 and having a lease arrangement of four years; Maintaining facilities and services to meet accessibility needs, utilizing accessibility resources and assuring the center remains Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant; Maintaining the physical plant to include adequate insurance coverage; Furnishing and staffing a resource area for use by the public that provides quality Internet access and equipment for use by customers and partner staff of the One-Stop center (s); Providing orientations as needed to customers seeking workforce services to ensure that these customers understand the full array of services available to them and program requirements;

9 9 Coordinating employment-related workshops which both prepare customers to become work ready and placed into jobs and enables them to attain the skills needed for job retention and career advancement. Participating in targeted outreach efforts to recruit qualified candidates for local employers in need of a workforce.. There must be assurances that the outreach and recruitment is conducted within communities where potentially eligible customers reside and done in collaboration with community-based organizations; Providing such employer services as: Marketing the One-Stop program and services to employers; Planning and hosting job fairs; Engaging employers in staff recruitment. Providing staff to coordinate and deliver assessments to determine which partner services can best assist customers in meeting their employment, training and related education needs; Providing coordination of all One-Stop career center required services, including all services provided by entities that have voluntarily entered into One-Stop Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) in accordance with WIOA requirements; Ensuring the appropriate delivery of workforce development services in accordance with all governing laws, statutes, regulations, guidance and policies; Establishing a single point of entry (electronic and physical) for job seekers;

10 10 Ensuring that One-Stop partners adhere to MOUs and reporting procedures and that staff training regarding partners services are provided to all One-Stop staff; Facilitating meetings among partners where each partner s detailed procedures will be made known to all of the other partners; Implementing GRIWDB operational polices for the One-Stop system (e.g. days/hours of operation, dress code, customer service expectations, etc.); Coordinating and scheduling facilities usage such as, but not limited to classrooms, assessment areas, and conference rooms; Increasing customer satisfaction by developing flows and processes that are driven by feedback from both employers and job seekers; Fostering partnerships within the One-Stop system which promote functioning as a multiagency team and which achieve collective accountability for systems outcomes as well as individual partner program outcomes; Ensuring that all partners co-located in the One Stop center implement and execute a priority of service for qualifying veterans and/or their eligible spouses, as mandated by U.S. Department of Labor; Coordinating staff training to ensure the ability to adequately perform assigned roles, functional knowledge of the policies, procedures and unique characteristics of all colocated partner programs; Recruiting additional partners and/or in-kind or other resources to support the One Stop system in conjunction with the WPGRI staff; Following any current and future GRIWDB policy directives issued by WPGRI;

11 11 Complying with federal, state and GRIWDB reporting requirements. SECTION B: PROVIDER of WIOA ADULT and DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES In addition to the responsibilities for a One-Stop operator as detailed in Section A above, a respondent who chooses to be both a One-Stop operator and deliverer of WIOA adult and dislocated worker programs and services will assume the following responsibilities as well as the responsibilities in Section A. The Adult and Dislocated Worker programs under WIOA are designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment, and to help employers find the skilled workers they need. These programs and services include the following two categories: Career Services: Eligibility determination for funding and services; Outreach, intake and orientation to the information and other services available through the One-Stop center delivery system; Initial assessment of skill levels (including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency), aptitudes, abilities, and supportive service needs; Job search and placement assistance and, in appropriate cases, career counseling, including information on in-demand industry sectors and occupations and nontraditional employment and appropriate recruitment and other business services on behalf of employers;

12 12 Referrals to and coordination of activities with partner programs and services; Workforce and labor market employment statistics information, which includes job vacancy listings; job skills necessary for job openings; and information on local occupations in demand and the earnings, skill requirements, and opportunities for advancement with those career pathways; Performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training; Information, in formats that are usable by and understandable to One-Stop center customers, regarding how the local area is performing on the local performance accountability measures; Information relating to the availability of supportive services or assistance, provided by partners; Referrals to supportive services or other needed assistance; Information and assistance regarding filing claims for unemployment compensation; Information and assistance regarding establishing eligibility for financial aid assistance for training and education programs; Other services needed in order for an individual to obtain or retain employment to include: Comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of adults and dislocated workers which may include diagnostic testing

13 13 and use of other assessment tools; and in-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals; Development of an individual employment plan, to identify the employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve the employment goals, including providing information on eligible providers of training services and career pathways to attain career objectives; Group and individual counseling and career planning; Short-term prevocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training; Internships and work experiences that are linked to a career, Financial literacy services; English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs; Follow-up services for not less than 12 months after the first day of employment. Training Services: Occupational skills training, including training for nontraditional employment; On-the-job training;

14 14 Incumbent worker training; Programs that combine workplace training with related instruction, which may include cooperative education programs; Training programs operated by the private sector; Skill upgrading and retraining; Entrepreneurial training Transitional jobs; Job readiness training; Adult education and literacy activities, including activities of English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs, provided concurrently or in combination with other services; Customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training. In addition to the aforementioned Career and Training services, Supportive Services such as transportation, childcare, dependent-care, and housing are provided under certain circumstances to allow an individual to participate in the program. In order to assist respondents in understanding the scope of work inherent in providing One-Stop and WIOA adult and dislocated worker programs and services, the following chart provides an overview of the number of customers receiving services

15 15 during the Program Year 2015 (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016). It is anticipated that the same numbers will be served in Program Year 2017 which begins July 1, WIOA PROGRAM NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS WIOA Adults 200 WIOA Dislocated Workers 250 ONE STOP SERVICES NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS Job Seeker Individuals Served 14,400 Job Seeker Visits 30,000 Entities selected to provide adult and dislocated worker programs and services will be expected to achieve or exceed the following performance standards. Adults entering employment in the second quarter after exit Dislocated workers entering employment in the second quarter after exit Adults retained employment in the fourth quarter after exit Dislocated workers retained employment in the fourth quarter after exit Median quarterly earnings in the second quarter after exit for adults Median quarterly earnings in the second quarter after exit for dislocated workers 64.8% 65.6% 71.2% 73.6% $9,600 $13,600

16 16 IV: RESPONSE FORMAT The response format consists of three parts, all need to be completed. Part I requires the respondent to provide identifying information; Part II requires the respondent to identify whether it is responding to become a One-Stop operator only or a One-Stop operator as well as a provider of adult and dislocated worker programs and services; Part III requires the respondent to describe its qualifications and capacity to operate a One-Stop comprehensive center and/or deliver adult and dislocated worker programs and services. PART I: IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 1. Legal Name of Respondent: 2. Authorized Contact Person/Title: 3. Address: 4. Telephone: 5. Website: 6. Organizational Structure: Institution of Higher Education Employment Service State Agency Non-Profit Organization Government Agency Non-Traditional Public Secondary School Area Vocational and Technical School Other: By my signature, I am empowered and can act on behalf of the proposing organization in submitting this response. I certify that the information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Name of Certifying Official Title Signature Date

17 17 PART II: RESPONSE TYPE Note: All respondents seeking to become a One-Stop operator only must complete Section A. Those respondents who also have an interest in providing WIOA adult and dislocated worker programs and services, must complete Section B. A. One-Stop Operator Only I have indicated an interest and described my qualifications and capacity to serve as a One-Stop operator for the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area in the following manner: As a One-Stop Operator of a comprehensive center with satellite One-Stop locations at community-based organizations in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. As a One-Stop Operator of a comprehensive center that includes regularly scheduled out stationing of mandatory One-Stop partner staff at community-based organizations in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. As a One-Stop Operator of a comprehensive center that includes hosting on-site staff from community-based organizations in the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Area. As a One-Stop Operator of a comprehensive center in the following Greater Rhode Island community-based location (s): Other: (Describe)

18 18 B. Provider of WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs and Services I have indicated an interest and described my qualifications and capacity to provide WIOA adult, dislocated worker programs and services at the One-Stop location (s) indicated in Section A.

19 19 PART III: QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPACITY Applicants are required to describe their qualifications and capacity to operate a One- Stop center in Section A (below) and in Section B (below) if they are proposing to also provide adult and dislocated worker programs and services. Respondents should carefully review the stated responsibilities that were detailed in Section III of this RFI (see page 6 of this RFI) and provide information for the following: A. One-Stop Operator Only 1. Describe your organizational capacity and previous experience in delivering the services requested. 2. Identify the facility and location of your proposed comprehensive One-Stop center (s) and describe how it meets requested parameters. 3. Provide your projected costs to be incurred in assuming the responsibilities of a One-Stop operator. B. Provider of Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs and Services in addition to the responsibilities of a One-Stop Operator 1. Describe your organizational capacity and previous experience in delivering the services requested. 2. Provide your projected costs to be incurred in assuming the responsibilities of a provider of adult and dislocated worker programs and services.

20 20 PART IV: INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTAL Interested entities are required to submit their response as follows: Use 12-point font, double-spaced with one inch margins. Limit response to a maximum of 20 pages Include page numbering Submit one hard copy with original signature Submit an electronic copy in the format of a CD or flash drive Submit an electronic copy by to: diane.vendetti@dlt.ri.gov All questions regarding this RFI must be submitted by to diane.vendetti@dlt.ri.gov by September 19, All responses received will be evaluated with respect to the respondent s qualifications, capacity and costs. Those respondents that have been determined to have the qualifications and capacity will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be issued by the Greater Rhode Island Workforce Development Board. NOTE: Responding to this Request for Information (RFI) is not a requirement for eligibility to respond to a subsequent Request of Proposals (RFP).