Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Implementation: Continued Opportunities for Partnership Anna Cielinski Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success at CLASP Community Action Partnership Annual Convention September 1, 2016
Who s in the room? Raise your hand if you Haven t heard of WIOA until today Want to know what s different in WIOA from WIA Want to know what responsibilities CAAs have under WIOA Want to know how to partner better and overcome challenges of collaboration Want to share promising practices of CAA partnership you ve experienced 2
Two Sections of Today s Session 1) How is WIOA Different? Mostly presentation 2) Continued Opportunities for Partnerships with CAAs Part presentation, with lots of questions for the audience and discussion 3
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Passed with wide bipartisan majority in Congress Senate voted 93-5; House voted 415-6 WIOA was signed into law by President Obama on July 22, 2014 Many provisions took effect July 1, 2015; others July 1, 2016 First reauthorization of national workforce programs in 16 years Updates the law for changes in the economy Emphasizes newer, proven strategies in workforce development 4
WIA to WIOA WIOA, like WIA: Establishes a publicly funded workforce system to align workforce development, education, and economic development strategies to meet the needs employers and job seekers Accomplishes this by providing access to one-stop centers that connect individuals with a range of services available in their communities 5
One Stop Vision for Workforce No wrong door approach. Offer comprehensive package of services to job seekers that varies depending on their needs, not entry point or funding stream. Job seekers can move seamlessly between programs authorized under different laws. Meets employer needs, help individuals earn the skills and credentials required for indemand occupations. 6
Why partner with WIOA? Place E&T program in the context of workforce Enhance E&T program participant access to high-quality training opportunities (IET, Career Pathways) tied to job openings/lmi Improve continuity for participants braided and blended funding models Reduce duplication of activities, services (possibility of freeing up funds for other purposes) 7
Collaboration has not always been effective in the past WIA performance measures, employer focus has sometimes led workforce programs to focus on people who enter at higher skill levels or with more work experience 8
Let s talk about how WIOA is different! 9
How is WIOA different? Increases the focus on serving the most vulnerable workers lowincome adults and youth Expands proven education and training options to help participants access good jobs and advance in their careers Helps disadvantaged and unemployed adults and youth earn while they learn Aligns planning and accountability policies across core programs to support more unified approaches 10
WIOA targets services to workers with greatest needs Priority of Service strengthened to target public assistance recipients, individuals who are low-income and/or have barriers to employment Workforce boards must report on number of individuals who face barriers to employment and who received services, including disaggregated reporting by subpopulation 75% of Youth funds must be spent on out-of-school youth (previously, 30%), and expands age range for out of school youth eligibility to 16-24 (previously, 16-21) Adult Education focused on learners with lowest skill levels 11
Performance measures Credential and skill gains measures allow more intensive training Skill gains measure captures interim progress Programs get credit for people who start further behind Requires state and local performance expectations and levels to be adjusted based on economic conditions and participant characteristics, including public benefit receipt 12
WIOA expands education and training options Faster access to training when appropriate (elimination of sequence of services ) Encourages implementation of Career Pathways Contract training for cohorts and industry sector partnerships, including career pathways, coordinates with Pell Grant ability to benefit Encourages Integrated Education and Training Expanded focus on Earn and Learn strategies, including transitional jobs and paid work experience for youth (at least 20% of WIOA Youth $) 13
Essential elements of Career Pathways 14
Robust definition of Career Pathways The term career pathway means a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that (A) aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the State or regional economy involved; (B) prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including [state- and federally-registered] apprenticeships (C) includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual s education and career goals; (D) includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster; (E) organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable; (F) enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and (G) helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster. 15
WIOA s work-based training: enabling people to earn while they learn OJT 75% wage reimbursement Up to 20% of funds available for incumbent worker training partnerships with employers Up to 10% of funds available for transitional jobs for individuals with barriers to employment Work supports, including child care Paid work experiences for Youth (including summer jobs) Workplace Adult Education and contextualized learning (IET model) 16
WIOA expands and improves services to disadvantaged youth New 16-24 age range for out-of-school youth eligibility Requires at least 20 percent of Youth Formula Funds be spent on paid and unpaid work experiences (including Summer Jobs programs) Adds youth living in a high-poverty area to the lowincome criterion for youth activities In-school youth eligibility includes low-income individuals ages 14 to 21 who are English language learners and those who have a disability. 17
WIOA aligns planning and accountability policies Required: unified planning (4-year unified state plan for all 6 core programs) Optional combined plan (e.g., CSBG, CTE, TANF, SNAP E&T) Common measures across multiple programs (with variation for the Title I youth program) Better coordination of services to low-income individuals through shared accountability State/local plans must include youth and adults with barriers in their analysis, needs, vision, and goals Local Plans must describe how access to services will be expanded and how the local board will facilitate coenrollment 18
Most of the changes require strong state/local implementation No new funding By partnering and engaging in the WIOA planning process, CAA stakeholders may be able to influence WIOA to ensure it effectively serves the most disadvantaged workers CAA programs can share their expertise in serving individuals who have barriers to employment 19
Now, let s talk about partnerships! 20
Different Types of Partnership Raise your hand if you are a 1. CAA that is a required One-Stop partner Collaboration through workforce board CSBG E&T services in One-Stop Center Contribute to infrastructure costs 2. Optional Combined State Plan Partner 3. CAA that is a One-Stop Operator 4. CAA that wants to learn what all this one-stop language means! 21
One-Stop Terminology One-Stop Delivery System: Also known as the American Job Center (AJC) system, the name for the entire network of WIOA programs, partners, operators, centers, and boards. Also known as the One-Stop System. One-Stop Partner: Any entity that is required, or may be allowed, to participate in the One Stop System 22
More One-Stop Terminology One-Stop Operator: An entity designated or certified by a local board to receive WIOA funds to operate a one stop center One-Stop Center: Also known as American Job Centers, the physical location where WIOA services are provided Source: http://caplaw.org/resources/faqs/grantlaw/caplaw_faq_wioa_sept2015.pdf 23
1. One Stop Partners under WIOA Core Programs Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker & Youth Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Title III Employment Service (Wagner-Peyser) Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Partners at one-stops (REQUIRED under WIOA section 121(b)(1)) Employment and Training Activities carried out under the Community Services Block Grant (not a change) TANF (unless Governor opts out), Second Chance Act, others Other Potential Partners (optional) SNAP E&T, Community Colleges, and others 24
1. Five One-Stop Partner Responsibilities A. Provide access to programming B. Participate in one-stop operation C. Contribute to infrastructure costs Waived this year D. Enter into MOU with local boards on operations and funding E. Some partners sit on Workforce Development Board (WDB) Source: http://caplaw.org/resources/faqs/grantlaw/caplaw_faq_wioa_sept2015.pdf 25
A. Provide Access to Programming Three ways to provide access" Program staff member physically present Staff member from a different partner cross-trained to provide information to customers about services Making available direct linkages through technology to staff who can provide meaningful information or services. 26
B. Participate in One-Stop Operations Working with Local Workforce Development Board to collaborate on one-stop operations agreements that eventually go in MOU. 27
B. Participate in One-Stop Operations Ways to coordinate: deliver services like workshops; staff at one-stop, for example front desk, resource room; buy computers for resource room; other creative ways that CAAs know to fill gaps that may free up training dollars for participants in most need. 28
B. Participate in One-Stop Operations Through strong relationships in community, CAAs can provide referrals and recruitment to meet new WIOA requirements: Strengthened Priority of Service for high-need adults 75 % Out-of-School Youth requirement While participants gain access to greater breadth of more coordinated services. 29
C. Infrastructure Costs Local Process Negotiate infrastructure costs among local partners. This is the local mechanism Contributions based on proportionate use of one stop centers and relative benefit received, as determined by the Uniform Guidance principles at 2 CFR part 200. If negotiations leading to MOU are not possible, State mechanism is triggered 30
C. Infrastructure Costs State Mechanism Only triggered if local partners cannot reach agreement Under State mechanism, the Governor: Determines each partner s proportionate share, Calculates the required 1.5% Funding Caps, and Makes reconsiderations and adjustments to the budget or the partner s proportionate share ( 678.738) 31
C. State Mechanism CSBG Funding Caps CSBG caps determined based on total amount of CSBG funds expended on employment and training activities during the prior Federal FY and any amount CSBG agency determines was spend on related administrative costs State cap may not exceed 1.5 percent of these expenditures ( 678.738) 32
D. Memorandum of Understanding Required partners must sign MOU on infrastructure costs and operations (unless State mechanism triggered, as just discussed) 33
E. Sit on State Board Under WIA, all required one-stop partners sat on board. Under WIOA, CSBG is not required or guaranteed a place on the board. Board members are appointment by Governor. Because boards are smaller under WIOA, CSBG may not have a requirement to sit on the board. 34
What it isn t required Administration or staffing consolidation not required Eligibility determination may remain separate WIOA agencies must provide info on accessing services Does not require CAA inclusion in WIOA Combined Plan 35
Questions for the Audience Whose organization has been a onestop partner? How is the program providing access through the one-stop? What programming? How have you worked with the WDB? How did the MOU negotiations go for infrastructure funding/one-stop operations? Best practices? Are there suggestions for peer learning? 36
2. Combined Plan (already submitted) State option to include CAA, other partner programs in a combined plan. Four year plans, with sunshine requirements. CAA plan gets considered in context of labor market information, workforce planning. Ensures CAA has a seat at the table in setting WIOA priorities 37
Questions for the Audience Who s been involved with Combined State Planning? What challenges or opportunities did you face? Did planning bring focus on lowincome populations? Suggestions from the audience for peer learning? 38
3. CAA as One-Stop Operator Under both WIA and WIOA, CAAs can compete for and be chosen as a One-Stop Operator. Under WIOA, the role of One-Stop Operator must be re-competed. 39
Questions for the Audience Who is from an CAA that is a One- Stop Operator? Who has gone through a recompete process to be reselected as One-Stop Operator? Suggestions from audience for CAAs that want to be One-Stop Operators? 40
Recommendations Whether or not the state submitted a consolidated plan including CAA STAY ENGAGED and KEEP TALKING Especially at the local level Once in 16 year opportunity to rethink what services you offer and to influence workforce system to match today s economy 41
Federal Resources Final Rule Resources from U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.doleta.gov/wioa/final_rules_resources. cfm Resources from US Department of Education: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/adulted/wio a-reauthorization.html Workforce GPS Technical Assistance portal https://www.workforcegps.org/ 42
For more information CLASP resources on WIOA: http://www.clasp.org/wioagameplan Anna Cielinski Senior Policy Analyst, CLASP acielinski@clasp.org @AnnaCielinski 43