Georgia Frontline Decision Support System Pilot Presentation at the conference for: Assessing the Midwest Workforce: Strategies for Developing the Region’s Human Capital November 21, 2002 Kelly DeRango, Research Fellow W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Goal of One-Stop Centers Integrate and coordinate employment services to create a comprehensive and cohesive delivery system Tantamount to achieving this goal is to bring together information to help customers and staff make better decisions regarding job prospects and service referrals

Challenges How to get this information to users How to present this information in a way so that it is used by customers and staff and so that it is beneficial in making decisions How to keep information up to date How to integrate the information from LMI and various one-stop employment programs so that it is accessible when needed

Frontline Decision Support System Two components: Tools to help workers find work A targeting system to provide more effective One-Stop Center services for those who have difficulty finding employment

Targeting With limited WIA funds, not all workers receive intensive and training services Now, funds are allocated using informal “targeting” methods First-come, first-served basis Give preference to certain groups Is there a better way to target WIA resources?

Using Data to Help Workers Learning lessons from past successes How can we assemble data from workforce development programs serving workers in the past to better serve them in the future—proactive? How can services be targeted to workers who “look” like workers who benefited from these services in the recent past?

Research and Front-line Operations These challenges require new and innovative tools to help staff be more effective in the identification of needs and delivery of services Research offers insights into ways to develop tools that can assist front-line staff and customers in making more informed decisions regarding: Employment prospects Skill requirements Appropriate services Eligibility for services

Frontline Decision Support System A set of tools that uses existing administrative data to help staff and customers make better decisions about job prospects and about appropriate services that meet the customer’s needs in finding employment Uses statistical methods to relate customer characteristics, local labor market information, past work history, and service participation to employment outcomes

Georgia FDSS Frontline Decision Support System is a joint effort of the USDOL/ETA, the Georgia Department of Labor, and the Upjohn Institute Developed and implemented a system that customizes information that targets the needs of individual customers It brings appropriate LMI and administrative data to bear on particular transactions at One-Stop Centers Job search process Service referral process

FDSS Tools Systematic Job Search Module Service Referral Module Chance of returning to same industry Estimate likely reemployment earnings Scan job prospects Explore “What if” scenarios Identify related occupations Provide targeted information about specific jobs Service Referral Module Rank services by effectiveness w.r.t. employment Indicate typical use

FDSS Tools Tools are customized to reflect an individual’s needs and propensities Based on the experience of people who have similar characteristics and similar histories of program participation and work Tools relate outcomes to personal characteristics and other factors

Data Sources UI wage records Employment/earnings history Program records: ES, UI, JTPA/WIA WtW Worker/client characteristics Program participation Employment history Labor Market Information Local unemployment rates Occupation/industry projections Related/transferable occupations Massive layoffs

Individual Customer Time Lines Program participation (services) Work History Registration Work Outcomes Labor market Conditions Industry of prior job Industry of post job Personal Characteristics Occupation

Available Data

Customized Modules are estimated for different types of job seekers UI claimants: by risk of exhausting benefits ES registrant not eligible for UI Veteran Job seekers referred to special assistance unit, because of barriers to employment Youth

Customized And different regions Atlanta Coastal Northern Balance of Georgia

Conclusion: FDSS is a joint effort of USDOL/ETA, Georgia Department of Labor and the Upjohn Institute Uses customized information from job history (UI), administrative data and intake, and targets the needs of individual customers FDSS contains a Systematic Job Search Module Service Referral Module Currently in Pilot Phase in Georgia

Georgia Frontline Decision Support System Pilot Presentation at the conference for: Assessing the Midwest Workforce: Strategies for Developing the Region’s Human Capital November 21, 2002 Kelly DeRango, Research Fellow W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research