Frontline Decision Support System: Design and Implementation Presented to the NGA Policy Forum 2001 December 6, 2001 Randall Eberts W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Outline l Purpose and goals of FDSS l Management tools l Operation of FDSS l Data requirements l Prototype demonstration l Implementation

Challenges of WIA l Serve large volume of customers l Provide broader access to services l Ask staff to perform more functions l Identify customer needs l Integrate services l Emphasize performance outcomes and program accountability l Limited resources

Research and Front-line Operations l Challenges of WIA require new and innovative tools to help staff be more effective in the identification of needs and delivery of services l Research offers insights into ways to develop tools that can assist front-line staff and clients to make more informed decisions regarding: n Employment prospects n Skill requirements n Appropriate services n Eligibility for services l FDSS management tools use existing administrative data on a real-time basis

FDSS l Frontline Decision Support System is a joint effort of the USDOL/ETA, Upjohn Institute, and two states l The purpose is to design, develop, and implement on a pilot basis management tools that can help staff and customers use existing data to make more informed decisions regarding services and job prospects

FDSS Tools Tools assist one-stop center staff to: l Quickly assess needs of customers l Target services to meet customers’ needs l Deliver services in an effective and efficient manner … And aid customers to: l Quickly and systematically access labor market exchange information and services l Become better informed about job options l Find better job matches more quickly l Identify services that best meet their needs l Determine eligibility for services

Data l Wealth of data already collected by state and local agencies and DOL/BLS l Administrative data can be useful beyond preparing reports and tracking outcomes Can be used to directly help customers

“As a case worker I would spend at least 30 minutes with each client inputting information that I knew was not going to be used to directly help my client, but only to fill out reports… …Now we have an opportunity to use this information to do a better job helping clients.” Washington State ESD Staff person

Goals of FDSS l Promote speedy return to work l Help individual workers gain productive employment l Help workforce agencies achieve performance targets l Improve cost effectiveness of services l Integrate tools within existing service delivery systems

Referrals Service Flow of One-Stop Centers Intensive Services Training Services Core Services Intake Assessment interviews Resume workshop Labor market information Job interview referral

One-Stop Center Services n Assessment interviews n Resume workshop n Labor market information n Job interview referral Core

One-Stop Center Services Intensive Aptitude and skill proficiency testing Individual and group counseling Case management Job finding clubs Job search plan Career planning Job search review UI eligibility review

One-Stop Center Services Training Adult basic skills education On-the-job training Work experience Occupational skills training Youth educational achievement services Additional support for youth services Citizenship skills for youth

Tools in FDSS Systematic Job Search Module l Chance of returning to same industry and occupation l Estimate likely reemployment earnings l Scan job prospects l Identify related occupations l Provide targeted information about specific jobs Service Referral Module l Rank most effective services l Indicate typical use

Estimate chance of returning To industry/occupation Review intake info & work history Earnings history & estimate Search job orders Choose related occupations Referrals FDSS Tools Intensive Services Training Services Core Services Intake Systematic Search Module Service Referral Module

Program Eligibility Provide initial assessment of eligibility for programs offered by required partners at One-Stop Centers: l Unemployment Insurance l Employment Service l Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Training l Welfare-to-Work l Veterans Employment and Training Programs l Others within and outside of one-stops

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

Data Sources   UI wage recordsEmployment/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

Available Data

Systematic Job Search Module l Chance of returning to same industry and occupation l Estimate likely employment earnings l Scan job prospects l Identify related occupations

Job Prospects and Earnings Relates job outcomes to: n Education n Dislocated worker status n Disadvantaged worker status n Age n Prior occupation and industry n Work history n Military service n Barriers to employment (eg., transportation, etc) n Local labor market conditions

Returning to Same Industry CharacteristicsPerson ABC Maximum Prior Earnings$7502$15002$3499 Age35 Education, less than high school001 Education, more than high school010 Months of tenure on most recent job24488 Employed010 Occupation, clerical and sales111 Held job last quarter110 Probability of returning to same industry (services)

Predicted Earnings CharacteristicsPerson ABC Maximum Prior Earnings$7502$15002$3499 Age35 Education, less than high school001 Education, more than high school010 Months of tenure on most recent job24488 Likelihood of staying in same industry Occupation, clerical and sales111 Predicted Earnings (median)$6728$12618$3387 Ratio of predicted earnings to prior earnings

Prototype Demonstration Systematic Job Search Module n Chance of returning to same industry and occupation n Expected job growth in prior occupation n Estimate likely employment earnings n Explore “What if” scenarios n Scan job prospects n Identify related occupations and continue search

The Frontline Decision Support System The Frontline Decision Support System (FDSS) is an internet based system designed to help front line staff in Georgia Career Centers assist job seekers in finding jobs and in referring them to employment services. These administrative tools take into account current labor market conditions and the specific attributes of each customer, and they are based on the experience of customers who have recently used the Georgia Workforce System. This page for FDSS is divided into five screens. Click on the title of any screen to go to that screen. Job Seeker Background Information - This screen displays information relevant to job search which was provided by the customer when he or she registered with the employment service and/or applied for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Collected together this information provides an indication of a job seekers readiness for work. This information is used in other screens on the FDSS page to provide guidance for job search and choice among services available in Georgia Career Centers. Reemployment and Earnings Estimates - For each customer, this screen of FDSS provides a customized assessment of their prospects for returning to work in their prior industry, likely job growth in their prior occupation, and an estimate of the earnings they are likely to receive after reemployment. Systematic Job Search – This screen of FDSS can be used to guide the customer through a systematic job search procedure in which only the most relevant job vacancies are considered based on the reemployment and earnings estimates for that individual. Service Referral - For each job seeker, this screen of FDSS provides a customized list of core and intensive employment services that have been shown to be most effective in helping participants with that person’s specific attributes find and retain jobs. “What if” Scenarios - The FDSS permits reexamination of reemployment and earnings estimates for alternative job seeker characteristics. Various “what if” scenarios may be produced by changing the values for specific elements of background information for a job seeker. Data for the “What if” Scenarios is entered on the Reemployment and Earnings Estimates screen.

Job Seeker Background Information Information on this screen should be checked by accuracy and completeness. Any fields may be revised for used during the current FDSS session. These changes will not be permanently changed in the master files. To begin, enter client ID number ________ Age: __________ Veteran: _____ Highest level of schooling: _____ Currently in school: _________ Currently employed: _____ Currently receiving UI: ______ Currently awaiting job recall: ______ Dislocated Worker: _________ Economically disadvantaged: _____ Current TANF assistance: ____ Weeks drawn in previous UI: ______ Exhausted prior year UI: _____ Driver’s license: _____ Shift availability: ___________ Desired Hourly wage: _______ Information about your most recent job: Occupation: ___________________ Industry: ___________________ Hourly wage rate: _______________ Months on the job: ___________ Earnings History: Qtr 1_______ Qtr 2 _______ Qtr 3 ______Qtr 4: _____

Reemployment and Earnings Estimates Probability of Returning to work within your industry: Based on the reemployment patterns of others in your area of ____ with a background similar to yours, your chance of returning to work in your prior industry is ____ Expected Job Growth Rate in Your Prior Occupation: Over the next 5 years employment in your occupation of ____ within your area of ____ is expected to grow by ____ per year. Likely Reemployment Earnings: Individuals with a background similar to yours, who found reemployment, had earnings in the following range The top 75% had earnings above $12.78 per hour The top 50% had earnings above $10.65 per hour The top 25% had earnings above $8.51 per hour

Systematic Job Search To search for current job listings in your prior occupation of ______ in a selected geographic area of Athens Georgia at or above a wage level set as $ To list the five occupations most closely related to your prior occupation of ___ CLICK HERE

Here is the information about the occupations most closely related to your prior occupation of _____ in a selected geographic area of Georgia _____. Related Occupations Approx. Starting Hourly Wage Systematic Job Search Job Listings GrowthRate Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here

JOB SEARCH RESULT Here is the information about jobs in your prior occupation of ________ in a selected geographic area of Georgia _____ for hourly wages above _____. JOB POSTINGS Approx. Starting Hourly Wage Systematic Job Search To view a list of related occupations: Click Here Click Here

Service/Program Eligibility This screen indicates the likelihood that you are eligible for various state and federal programs, based on information you supplied when registering with the employment service and/or applying for UI benefits and based on additional information asked for on this screen. You supplied the following the information when registering for other programs. Please check the information to see if it is accurate and current. Age: __________ Veteran: _____ Highest level of schooling: _____ Currently in school: _________ Currently employed: _____ Currently receiving UI: ______ Currently awaiting job recall: ______ Dislocated Worker: _________ Economically disadvantaged: _____ Current TANF assistance: ____ Please supply the following information: Annual income_______________ Number of dependents ________ Do you own a car _____________ Click Here Click Here for programs for programs that you are likely that you are likely to be eligible for to be eligible for

List of Programs that you may be eligible for: CLICKHERE CLICKHERE CLICKHERE CLICKHERE CLICKHERE CLICKHERE For more information and eligibility requirements

Service Referral Algorithm l Provides a customized list of core and intensive employment services that have been shown to be most effective in helping participants with similar characteristics find and retain jobs l Based on information about the characteristics and outcomes of recent participants in programs

Service Referral l Two basic components n Estimate likelihood of finding a job (needs assessment) n Ranking of services that lead to successful outcomes for individuals with specific measurable characteristics

Four Step Process l An employability score is computed and assigned to each participant n The employability score identifies individuals according to their propensity to find a job n The score is divided into quintiles l The relative effectiveness of each service (relative to job referrals) is computed for clients within each quintile and client type l The top five services with respect to effectiveness in assisting the client in finding a job are displayed l For each of the top services, the percentage of clients within each quintile is also displayed

Characteristics by Quintiles Atlanta RegionEmployability Score by Quintiles Characteristics12345 Percent UI, disadvantaged only Percent UI, dislocated worker only Employed Employability Score Maximum quarterly earnings$4332$4534$5142$6141$7675 Bachelor Degree Months tenure with prior job Professional, technical occupation

Top Five Services Employability Score Quintiles (All UI Clients Atlanta Region) Testing Job Finding Club Service Coordination Orientation Testing Service Coordination Bonding Assistance ERPJob Finding Club Specific LMIService Coordination OrientationExpanded Workshop ERPCounseling Orientation

Service Referral The following is a list of the top five core and intensive employment services available at a Georgia Career Center that have been shown to be most effective for helping clients with your background. This list is intended to help you and your counselor determine the most appropriate services to meet your needs. There is no guarantee that the services are available or that they will lead to a job. CLICK HERE Service Percent Using Service MoreInformation

Frontline Decision Support System: Design and Implementation Randall Eberts W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research