Resource Workforce Investment Board Management Policy # 31. Youth Program Assessment and Individual Service Strategy (ISS)

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1 Resource Workforce Investment Board Management Policy # 31 Youth Program Assessment and Individual Service Strategy (ISS) References: WIA Section 129, Use of Funds for Youth Activities 20 CFR parts , Workforce Investment Act Final Rules Virginia Community College Policy # 00-12, Revision #1 Assessment Services for Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth Purpose: The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide guidance and instruction for meeting the minimum standards for carrying out the requirement to provide an effective comprehensive individual Service Strategy (ISS) for all eligible WIA Title I Youth Program Participants. This policy and procedure establishes the standards to be adopted and implemented by all Resource contracted WIA Title I Youth Service Providers. It is required of the Title I Youth Program Service Providers to have read and understand the requirements for Assessment and ISS Development to which all Youth Service Providers must adhere. Training regarding model procedures and policy will be conducted by Resource. Youth currently enrolled at the time of approval of this policy will be required to have their ISS updated to comply with the prescribed form and procedures issued herein no later than 30 days after the date on which the policy was approved. Policy and Procedures The Workforce Investment Act and Virginia Community College (VCCS) Policy #00-12, Revision #1 requires that a Comprehensive Assessment be completed and used to develop an ISS for Youth enrolled in the WIA program. The process for conducting the comprehensive assessment and developing the ISS must be performed and documented with the use of the tools designed for that purpose. I. Assessment and ISS Process The comprehensive assessment and ISS development processes include: Determining the Career Goal(s) Identify career goals(s) and or career pathways

2 Assess Needs- Identify basic skills, work readiness skill, occupational skills, and supportive service needs Develop ISS- Set goals, develop achievement objectives, assign services to address identified needs and attain positive outcomes Conduct progress Reviews- Conduct periodic progress reviews of the participant and their plan to determine progress and any related problems that may arise. Periodic reviews must be conducted at least every 30 days and documented on the Case Manager/Youth Individual Service Plan Review Form Provide follow-up Services- Assess needs and plan follow-up Services While the order in which these processes are delivered may be flexible based on the participant s needs, the assessment and ISS shall generally follow the logical order listed above. A. Assessment Tools The process of conducting the comprehensive assessment and developing the ISS must be performed and documented with the use of tools designed for that purpose. The tools and listed and described below: 1. The Youth Comprehensive Assessment Tool must be used to record information gathered about the youth related to workforce preparation and to identify the service needs of each youth individually. Included in the Youth Comprehensive Assessment Tool is place to record the assessment of each of the WIA 10 Program elements and the specific services that will be provided to support the participant based on the needs identified. 2. The ISS section of the participant s file must contain, when appropriate, the hard copy documents and forms provided in the ISS Forms Section. A description of the ISS section is set up is provided below: a. ISS Case Checklist- For tracking purposes, an ISS Case checklist will be used as a standard cover sheet for the ISS section of the case file. It is organized as follows: The titles for processes needing to be documented are listed in the same order as performed when practiced The support document title (e.g. Support Service Checklist, etc) is listed under the process that that it supports

3 When a document is filed, it should be checked on the checklist allowing anyone who reviews it to know that the document is in the file and its location. b. Required Documents Documents must include those listed below. However, those followed by an * beside them will be completed and filed only when a related program has been provided and/or a measurement attained. i. Copy of the signed original ISS reflecting the needs, goals, objectives, services, including support services to be delivered inclusive of method of service delivery, timelines and expected outcome(s) ii. The Support Services Checklist iii. Copy of the signed original Assessment Document iv. Documentation Necessary for the Evaluation of Outcomes and Standards Reading and Math Test Scores Sheets (pre and post)- TABE Required (Unless youth cannot complete the TABE) Alternative scores may be used from other sources if administered within 6 months prior to enrollment in WIA. Source must be documented and a copy of the results included.) Work Readiness Skills Evaluation* Occupational Skills Evaluation Diploma/GED* Verification of Enrollment in Post Secondary Education or advanced training/occupational skills* Institutional verification of successful completion of work readiness or occupational skills attainment* v. Other documents- Any other documents that the Case Manager believes are relevant to support decisions made in the ISS. B. Performing and Documenting Processes Procedures for performing and documenting the above processes and the order in which they should occur are listed below: 1. Development of an age appropriate career goal The development of the age appropriate career goal may include either the selection of a single career goal or the identification of an initial career pathway of occupations to consider. This decision must be made after collaboration between the case manager and the participant. Establishing the career goal requires:

4 a. Career Assessment Testing (Career Scope, the Wizard, etc. may be used to narrow the interests of the participant and to assist in establishing a single career goal or at the least to assist in identifying a career pathway of occupations to consider. The results of any administered instrument must be recorded on the Assessment Document and included as an attachment to the Assessment Document b. Review of the Resource identified demand industries and occupations lists to ensure that the career goal is in a demand occupation and industry that can lead to selfsufficiency and to document an informed choice. c. Include the name of the LMI or occupational information used in the career research and include the occupational brief description as an attachment to the Assessment Document. 2. Plan for overcoming identified Barriers The ISS required that the case manager and participant develop a plan to overcome any barriers and deficiencies identified in the assessment process. The needs are to be identified in at least three categories, basic skills, work readiness skills, and occupational skills, Work History/Employment and a method for addressing each of the needs indentified with goals and achievement objectives. The support services to be provided should recorded in the ISS and included on the Support Service Checklist. The ISS must reflect indicate how the service will be provided and how the services will be paid for. The service needs identified as barriers must be included in the services to be provided, including any assistive technology that may be needed and provided. In addition to the identified barriers, the Assessment Process should include an assessment of each of the WIA required program elements for youth and whether or not the participant is in need of any of the elements to support achieving the established goals and outcomes included in the ISS. 3. Basic Skills Should the participant be basic skills deficient, the ISS must address the services that will be provided to achieve at a minimum a 1.0 grade level increase in reading and/or math, and if the participant lacks a high school diploma or GED, the assessment process must include a pre-ged test and its results and the ISS

5 must stipulate that the participant will pursue the secondary credential necessary to open other pathways to career development. The plan may include such services as SOL preparation, and other basic skills related services that will lead to an increase in grade level performance and the level of basic skills needed to pursue the stated career goal. 4. Work Readiness Work Readiness preparation includes completing high school or securing the high school diploma equivalent; securing a Career Readiness Credential; Successful completion of a classroom activity to develop identified work readiness skills deficiencies documented in the Assessment process. 5. Occupational Skills Training During the process of establishing a career goal, participants should have researched related training information. Included in the information would be institutions and other training venues (i.e. apprenticeship, on the job training, etc.) that may be appropriate. The ISS must document the strategy and goal for any training related to obtaining occupational skills and the expected credential/certificate, etc. The stated training goal must include the name of the institution(s), the course of study and the final result expected. (e.g. by successfully completing the J.S. Reynolds CNA program and passing the state CNA exam, the participant will have the skills necessary for attaining her career goal.) It is possible that WIA funds may not be paying any of the training costs (participants entering training are required to complete financial aid applications for PELL at a minimum if appropriate) or only part of it and providing other services, such as job search skills. WIA and non- WIA costs must be stated in the ISS. A copy of all financial aid applications and responses must be included as an attachment to the ISS as documentation of the efforts to support the cost of occupational training. 6. Work History/Employment The ISS should also include what if any work experience or employment experience will be needed to assist the participant in pursuing employment related to the career path/career goal established. 7. Follow-up

6 Participants must receive some form of follow-up services for a minimum duration of 12 months. All assessment and planned follow-up services will be recorded in the Follow-up Section of the ISS and in the case notes section of the participant s file. The follow-up requirement is that the following items be documented: a. Date of Contact or identification of Problem b. Need Identified (If appropriate) c. Service Provided (If appropriate) Approved: September 9, 2010 Date of Board Approval Deborah S. Wickham, Chairperson