Promising Practices in Integration in Rural Capital Area Community Action Inc. of Central Texas Jon Engel, Adult Education Director Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Jenna Akridge, Director of Contracts & Programs

Integration in Rural Capital Area Three Planning Partners AEL Provider - Community Action Inc. of Central Texas Vocational Rehabilitation Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Each partner identified their area of expertise.

Integration in Rural Capital Area Three Workgroups How to Share System Services (AEL) Focus on recruitment, orientation, intake, eligibility & customer information How to Share System Customers (VR) Focus on referrals for appropriateness, timeliness & follow through Business & Job Finding Services (WSRCA) Focus on job matching, job fairs & employer services

Integration in Rural Capital Area Work Group Products Fact Sheets & Desk Guides for each program Referral Process - WIT registration (plus one page) Identification of Staff for WIT, TWIST, PIRL – Accessing information systems is key to quality service Training Schedules WIT, TWIST, TEAMS, PIRL, customer referrals, desk guides…… Workforce Center visits Points of Contact Each work group had 9 members: 3 DARS 3 Community Action 3 Workforce Solutions Sharing System Services work group wrote the Fact Sheet and Desk Guide for each program. Schedule for self instruction, webinars, training and coaching by supervisors. Sharing System Customers work group developed process that a customer referral would be initiated by WIT registration with an additional one page referral form. PPT for WIT training developed. Schedule for self instruction, webinars, training and coaching by supervisors. Work groups identified who (which positions in each organization) will have access to the other partners’ management systems. Documenting actions taken on customer referral will be entered into TWIST case notes by WSRCA, DARS and AEL staff. AEL and VR must visit workforce centers for tour and training. Points of contact are important to build the needed relationship among staff. System Customers work group is determining the referral tracking process.

Integration in Rural Capital Area Leadership WSRCA Executive Director, VR Regional Director, and AEL Adult Education Director have committed to meet quarterly to: Review implementation of plan by target date Evaluate effectiveness of plan – number of referrals, effectiveness of referrals, number of co-enrollments Adjust plan as needed for continuous improvement