WIOA Regulations: Youth Program What you didn’t know that you didn’t know Introduction. Hello, my name is April Moore. I work in the Program Management Unit at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and specialize in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs. My contact information will be provided to you at the conclusion of this presentation. This presentation will provide an overview of the changes to the Youth Program as a result of WIOA implementation. There will also be a brief look at the changes in performance as a result of WIOA.

Objectives Identify eligibility determinations for ISY and OSY List program elements and activities Discuss use of youth funds Recognize program design Briefly review performance measures The subject matter discussed today will consist of an overview of WIOA eligibility determination for In-school and out-of-school youth, youth program elements and activities, youth fund allocations, and the overall program design. A brief look at the performance changes in WIOA will also be provided. Youth engagement strategy/partner program integration discussion

WIOA aims to increase focus on serving out-of-school youth, and those most in need by prioritizing a connection with employers, especially through work experience opportunities. Before we begin to discuss youth eligibility, I will provide a brief overview of WIOA. Implementation began July 1 2015. Based on the current state of youth unemployment, a policy shift was introduced to focus on youth most in need. WIOA enhances the value of employers engaging in the youth workforce system and provides opportunities for youth to learn and apply skills in a real-world setting. “WIOA aims to increase focus on serving out-of-school youth, and those most in need by prioritizing a connection with employers, especially through work experience opportunities”. The biggest change in WIOA is the shift to focus resources primarily to Out-of-school youth. Under WIOA, the minimum percentage of funds required to be spent on out-of-school youth is increased to 75 percent, a significant increase from the 30 percent minimum percentage under WIA. The funding shift refocuses the program to serve out-of-school youth and reconnect youth and young adults to the labor force. An estimated 6 million 16-24 year olds are either not employed or not in school in the US. WIOA will provide services to connect youth to the educational and workforce systems.

WIOA Aims To… Increase the focus on serving the most vulnerable workers. Help disadvantaged and unemployed adults and youth earn while they learn. Expand education and training options. The new law recognizes the need for a new game plan and reauthorizes the nation’s employment, training, adult education, and vocational rehabilitation programs created under WIA. WIOA improves connections to employment and training opportunities that lead to economic prosperity for workers and their families. It strengthens existing workforce development and adult education programs in four ways that can benefit adults and youth with barriers to economic success. WIOA aims to: -Increase the focus on serving the most vulnerable workers—low-income adults and youth who have limited skills, lack work experience, and face other barriers to economic success; -Expand education and training options to help participants access good jobs and advance in their careers; -Help disadvantaged and unemployed adults and youth earn while they learn through support services and effective employment-based activities; and -Align planning and accountability policies across core programs to support more unified approaches to serving low-income, low-skilled individuals. Align planning and accountability policies across core programs.

Beginning July 1, 2015… WIA participants must be grandfathered into WIOA. Case managers are not required to re-determine eligibility for participants currently in WIA. As we are aware, beginning July 1 2015, participants enrolled in the youth program must meet the new eligibility criteria provided under WIOA. All youth participants who are currently enrolled in the WIA youth program must be grandfathered into the WIOA youth program. Case managers are not required to re-determine eligibility for participants that have been determined eligible under WIA. Participants who have been grandfathered into the WIOA youth program must be allowed to complete the WIA services identified in their individual service strategy.

Eligibility: In-school-youth Attending school 14-21 y/o at enrollment Low income One or more barrier “WIOA provides new eligibility criteria for the youth program. To be eligible to participate in the WIOA youth program, an individual must be an out-of-school youth, or an in-school youth. An in-school youth must be attending school, low income, not younger than 14 or older than 21, and have one of more of the barriers listed on the In-school youth eligibility handout.

Key eligibility changes for in-school Youth Low income definition added participants who receive free or reduced price lunch Basic skills deficient definition is expanded Under WIOA, the low income criterion adds the eligibility for free or reduced price lunch. As defined in WIOA, a ‘‘low-income individual’’ is an individual who: - is homeless - a foster child - is in a family with total family income that does not exceed the poverty line or 70 percent of the lower living standard income level - a person who receives, or within the past 6 months has received assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance or TANF programs. The individual may also be a member of a family that is receiving assistance. - an individual who receives or is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch or - an individual with a disability whose own income meets the income requirement The low income definition also includes youth “living in a high poverty area”. At this time, high poverty area has not yet been defined. WIOA also expands the term “basic skills deficient” to include: -Individuals that have English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test ; or individuals who are unable to compute or solve problems, or read, write, or speak English, at a level necessary to function on the job, in the individual’s family, or in society.

Eligibility: Out-of-school Youth Not attending any school (as defined under state law) 16-24 years old at enrollment One or more barrier For an individual to receive services as an out-of-school youth, he or she can not attend any school, must be between the ages of 16-24, and must have one of more of the barriers listed on the out-of-school youth eligibility handout.

Age range 16-24 Key eligibility changes for out-of- school youth “WIOA raises the out-of-school youth eligibility age from 16 to 21 to 16 to 24. While youth aged 18-24 could be served through the adult workforce system, specific developmental needs often go unmet. Raising the eligibility age will help local areas better target their programming for this population.” TEGL 23-14 is a great reference to review eligibility requirements for In-school and out-of-school youth

We have received several questions regarding eligibility determination for in-school and out-of-school youth. We will review a few of the questions and responses in the next slides.

Q: If a youth is an offender in the DJJ system and is enrolled in alternative secondary education at a DJJ facility, would they be considered an in-school youth? Q: If a youth is an offender in the DJJ system and is enrolled in alternative secondary education at a DJJ facility, would they be considered an in-school youth? The answer is yes, youth in DJJ facilities are considered “in school” unless they have received a high school diploma or GED.

A: Yes, youth in DJJ facilities are considered “in school” unless they have a high school diploma or GED. Q: If a youth is an offender in the DJJ system and is enrolled in alternative secondary education at a DJJ facility, would they be considered an in-school youth? The answer is yes, youth in DJJ facilities are considered “in school” unless they have received a high school diploma or GED.

Q: If a participant is enrolled in Florida Virtual School (FLVS), either part time or full time, is the participant considered to be in school? Q: If a participant is enrolled in Florida Virtual School (FLVS), either part time or full time, is the participant considered to be in school? A: Yes, participants who are enrolled in FLVS should be classified as “in-school” Based on a review of Florida statutes, and consultation with our Department of Education partners, participants enrolled in Florida virtual schools should be determined to be in school.

A: Yes, participants who are enrolled in FLVS should be classified as “in-school” Q: If a participant is enrolled in Florida virtual School (FLVS), either part time or full time, is the participant considered to be in school? A: Yes, participants who are enrolled in FLVS should be classified as “in-school” Based on a review of Florida statutes, and consultation with our Department of Education partners, participants enrolled in Florida virtual schools should be determined to be in school.

Q: Are out-of-school youth who are 16-24 and have not obtained a high school diploma considered to be a school dropout? Q: Are out-of-school youth who are 16-24 and have not obtained a high school diploma considered to be a school dropout? A: Yes. Under WIOA, a dropout is an individual who is no longer attending any school and who has not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent.  According to Florida Statute, students who have withdrawn from school, but have not transferred to another public or private school or enrolled in any career, adult, home education, or alternative educational program are considered to be dropouts.

A: Yes, if the individual has withdrawn and is no longer attending school or alternative educational program and has not received a secondary diploma or equivalent he or she should be considered to be a dropout. Q: Are out-of-school youth aged 16-24 who have not obtained a high school diploma considered to be a school dropout? A: Yes. Under WIOA, a dropout is an individual who is no longer attending any school and who has not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent.  According to Florida Statute, students who have withdrawn from school, but have not transferred to another public or private school or enrolled in any career, adult, home education, or alternative educational program are considered to be drop outs.

Required youth program elements WIOA expands the program elements defined under WIA to include pre-apprenticeship programs, internships, OJT opportunities, and education offered concurrently and in the same context as workforce preparation activities. Case managers are required to conduct an objective assessment in order to identify the appropriate services and career pathways for participants. Program elements for the youth program are listed on the third page of the handout.

Youth councils are no longer required post June 30th. Youth program design Youth councils are no longer required post June 30th. Local boards encouraged to establish standing committees. One of the major changes under WIOA involves youth councils. Under WIOA, youth councils are no longer required post June 30th, 2015. However, local boards are encouraged to establish standing committees to provide information and to assist with planning, operational, and other issues relating to the provision of services to youth. Standing committees should include community based organizations who have demonstrated a record of success in serving eligible youth. Youth councils can assist in helping local youth programs transition to WIOA, and may be designated as a youth standing committee if the youth council fulfills the requirements. Local boards may choose not to establish a youth standing committee, in which case, the board will be responsible for conducting oversight of youth workforce investment activities under WIOA , and will be responsible for identifying eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities in the local area by awarding grants or contracts on a competitive basis. Standing committees assist in the decision making process regarding funding and resource allocation, service implementation, performance and reporting, and will help to ensure that out-of-school youth are adequately served according to the intent of WIOA. Individuals who serve on the standing committee should have expertise to advise on issues that support the board's ability to attain the goals of the State, local and regional plans, and the objective of providing customer-focused services to individuals and businesses.

WIOA -75% Funding Allocation Another key change involves funding allocations. WIOA requires that at least 75 percent of available state-wide funds and 75 percent of funds available to local areas be spent on workforce investment services for out-of-school youth. This is an increase from 30 percent under WIA. The redirection of funding gives states and local communities dedicated resources to implement effective employment, education, and youth development strategies for the youth participants.

Use of youth funds: Work experiences Summer employment opportunities Pre-apprenticeship programs Internships and job shadowing On the job training WIOA requires that local areas must spend a minimum of 20 percent of non administrative local area funds on work experience activities. Under WIOA, paid and unpaid work experiences that have academic and occupational components may include: summer employment opportunities and other employment opportunities available throughout the school year; pre-apprenticeship programs; internships and job shadowing; and on-the-job training opportunities. Local programs are encouraged to coordinate work experiences with other youth serving organizations and agencies.

Required partner programs WIOA identifies a requirement for the integration of one-stop partner programs to contribute to the costs of infra-structure, and to better integrate the service delivery of related employment and training programs. Program integration can potentially provide easier employer and job seeker access to employment and training services. The coordinated and integrated service delivery system will facilitate improved outcomes and customer experience for job seekers and employers. There are 13 WIOA one-stop required partner programs. Local boards can collaborate with partner programs to develop youth engagement and retention strategies.

Side-by-side comparison: Performance measures Now we will take a brief look at the change in performance measures. The WIA performance accountability section will remain in effect for PY 2015. This chart provides an overview of the performance accountability provisions taking effect on July 1, 2016. As a result of WIOA authorization, the placement in employment and education rate has been revised and will add an additional quarter for reporting, the attainment of a degree or certificate measure has also been revised and will apply to all youth. The literacy and numeracy gains measure has been eliminated, and three new measures have been added. An in depth review of the changes can be found on the USDOL ETA website.

Resources TEGL 23-14 Colorado.gov Clasp.org Memorandum: Clarification and Guidance on In-School, Out-of-School, and Dropout for Youth at Eligibility Determination The information provided to you today was obtained from TEGL 23-14, the USDOL, and CLASP websites.

This concludes my presentation, thank you for your time and participation. I will collect all notecards with questions to review with my team. A Q & A document will be provided following the presentation to address any unanswered questions.

WIOAtransition@deo.myflorida.com Please send any additional questions relating to the WIOA Youth program to the address listed here.