1. Round 7 DEI Project Lead’s Orientation November 17, 2016

2. Agenda DEI Landscape, History, and WIOA Connection DEI Nuts and Bolts
Top 5 Common Start-Up Challenges
Reporting Requirements
III. Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities
Office of Grants Management (OGM)
Federal Project Officers (FPOs)
Technical Assistance – NDI Consulting, Inc.
Evaluation – Social Dynamics
IV. Q&A 2

3. DEI LANDSCAPE, HISTORY, AND WIOA CONNECTION

4. A Visual DEI Landscape Map

5. DEI Round 7 Grantees
On September 14, 2016, DOL announced six states to receive nearly $15 million in DEI Round 7 funding. Those states include the following:
California (Adult)
Connecticut (Youth)
Idaho (Youth)
Maryland (Significant Disability)
Massachusetts (Youth)
Minnesota (Youth)

6. Historical DEI Projects

7. DEI Project Focus All DEI projects currently focus on the following:
Increasing participation in Career Pathway Systems;
Developing collaborative partnerships across multiple service delivery systems;
Braiding of funds to leverage resources;
Providing flexible opportunities to persons with disabilities for training and employment;
Expanding public workforce development system’s capacity to become an EN for beneficiaries under Social Security Ticket to Work program; and
Creating systemic change.

8. WIOA Reforms and Disability
How do WIOA reforms improve service delivery to individuals with disabilities?
Promotes Physical and Programmatic Access
Strategically Aligns WIOA Programs
Clarifies Competitive Integrated Employment
DOL TEGL Vision for the One-Stop Delivery System under WIOA

9. Promotes Physical and Programmatic Access – Section 188 of WIOA
Section 188 implements the non-discrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA.
The joint rules establish that all comprehensive American Job Centers and affiliated sites must be physically and programmatically accessible and establishes a certification process.
DOL published guidance to help states set standards through “Achieving Universal Access and Equal Opportunity – Section 188 Reference Guide”

10. Customer Centered Design
Putting people you serve at the center of your design process to come up with answers to difficult problems
Design Challenge Question: How might we work with our partners to design services that are physically and programmatically accessible to individuals with disabilities?

11. Career Pathways
A series of connected education and training and support strategies that enable individuals to secure industry relevant certification and obtain jobs within an occupational area.
Career Pathways – Six key elements of Career Pathways include:
Build Cross-Agency Partnerships
Identify Industry Sector and Engage Employers
Design Education and Training Programs
Identify Funding Needs and Sources
Align Policies and Programs
Measures System Change and Performance
DEI Career Pathway Toolkit Resource

12. Strategically Aligns Across WIOA Programs – State Plans
State Plans – Ensuring that federal core program employment and training services are coordinated and complemented by requiring a single, four year strategic State Plan achieving the work goals of the state.
27 Unified State Plans and 30 Combined State Plans submitted.
State and Local Plans must describe how the AJC will comply with the nondiscrimination requirements regarding physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology, and materials including appropriate staff training and support.

13. Partnerships
WIOA emphasizes planning across multiple partner programs (beyond the six core programs) to ensure alignment in service delivery.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
TEN 4-16 – Promoting Employment and Economic Advancement: A Toolkit for Centers for Independent Living and American Job Centers
U.S. Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work (TTW) program

14. NUTS AND BOLTS INFORMATION

15. Top 5 Common Start-Up Challenges
Communication Infrastructure- Setting up an effective communication infrastructure (e.g. regular Project calls, reporting, requests for information, e- mail and listservs, etc…) for working with and amongst various DEI stakeholders at the national, state and local levels.
2. Operationalizing Strategy- While a broad outline (work plan) exists in the proposal, the rollout will require developing a strategy. This needs to take place early.

16. Top 5 Common Start-Up Challenges
3. Infrastructure Development- Delays in setting up subcontracts and hiring of DRCs with the pilot regions (this includes sub-sub contracts where the regions themselves set up subcontracts with others who hire and oversee the DRCs). This has the potential to impact meeting six-month start-up requirement and ongoing work plan deliverables and timeline.

17. Top 5 Common Start-Up Challenges
4.  Partnerships- Not Identifying Partner Roles from the beginning, which can result in problems in coordination and understanding and achieving the grant goals. For example, local level pilots hiring DRC positions before they fully understand the DEI mission and objectives and the role the DRC will play. (This despite getting the DRC job description).

18. Top 5 Common Start-Up Challenges
5. DEI Fundamentals of Knowledge- State Leads operationalizing projects before they have a comprehensive understanding of all of the Project components. Customizing trainings and timelines to meet the individual needs of project staff before they begin DEI implementation. If DEI project staff start operationalizing service delivery components before having a deep understanding of the DEI, this could present real challenges down the road.

19. DEI Reporting Requirements
Quarterly Narrative – Progress Report. Submitted by DEI State Lead 45 days after end of each quarter.
Webinar on submission procedures and providing quality narratives:
ETA Form 9130 – Financial Status Report. Submitted by DEI State Lead 45 days after end of each quarter.
The 45 day mark from end of this quarter is on the following date: February 14, 2017

20. Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities

21. ETA Grants Office (OGM)

22. OGM Function The Grant Officer performs official grant duties:
Maintains official grant documents such as modifications, no-cost extensions, and other relevant documents
Approves equipment purchases over $5,000

23. Grant Award Package Grant Award Letter Grant Agreement
Signature Page / Notice of Obligation (NOO)
Condition of Award Page
Terms and Conditions
Application for Federal Assistance
Budget
Statement of Work (SOW)
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

24. Grant Award Package Payment Management System
Information and forms on under Payment Information
ETA’s on-line Grantee Fiscal Reporting System
ETA 9130
Information to access system on under Financial Reporting
Passwords/PINs are sent separately after supplying the necessary information
Once you receive this please do not lose it

25. Equipment Purchases
Equipment purchases with a per unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, and a useful life of more than one year need prior approval from Grant Officer.
Submit a detailed equipment purchase list with descriptions of each item to your Federal Project Officer (FPO) for review. We encourage you to submit this request as early as possible in the period of performance, with as many planned pieces of equipment as possible.
Your FPO will review the items and submit the list for OGM review. If the equipment purchases are approved, a modification to your grant will be processed.

26. Important Reminders Review of Grant Terms and Conditions
Assistance from FPO, DEI National Program Office, and OGM
Grant Transparency Process
Please continue to work on the redaction request materials and send your redacted project narratives to the address noted in your Welcome letter and Attachment A. Those materials are due 14 days after receipt of your grant award.

27. OGM Contact Information
OGM Grants Officer –
Jimmie Curtis
Grant Officer/Supervisory Grants Management Specialist
Employment & Training Administration
(202)
Erika Beasley
Grant Management Specialist
(202)

28. FEDERAL PROJECT OFFICERS (FPOs)

29. FPO CONTACT INFORMATION
Region 1 – Jacy Woodruff,
Region 2 – Matthew Capucini,
Region 3 – Claudine Noel,
Region 4 – Kajuana Donahue,
Region 5 – Gary Lewis,
Chris Mendoza,
Region 6 – Carol Padovan,
Ingrid Schonfield,
Latha Seshadri, 29

30. Technical Assistance- NDI Consulting, Inc.

31. NDI-DEI TA Team Function
Contracted to provide information, training, and technical assistance to the national DEI program office, regional FPOs, DEI grantees, and DEI project staff and the workforce development system.
Team members include:
Michael Morris, Project Director and Laura Gleneck, Project Manager
Training and Technical Assistance Liaisons and key areas of subject matter expertise: Miranda Kennedy (DEI Director of Training and Technical Assistance), Brian Ingram (DEI Workforce Access and IRT approach), Dave Mayer (DEI Career Pathways); and Nikki Powis (DEI Youth and Business Engagement)
Kevin Nickerson and Nanette Goodman (DEI Ticket to Work Team)
DOL Onsite Disability Workforce Specialist: Alexandra Kielty and IT Specialist: Jayson Gleneck

32. Menu of Options NDI Team Learning Medium Description Project Listserv
Designed to reach every level of federal, state and local stakeholder audience to disseminate and gather information.
TA Project Website
Resources and materials related to, or developed specifically for, Grantees and Project Staff.
Suite of Technical Assistance Assessment and Needs tools
Use of systematic and comprehensive self-assessment and needs tools to objectively measure understanding and approach to advance knowledge translation activities across key indicators of performance.
Self-Paced Online
Distance Learning
Allows grantees their choice of time and pace to improve critical knowledge and skills.
Expert Facilitated Webinars
Provide opportunities for real-time interactive discussions; remote in-depth technical assistance and formalized training.
Thirty Second Trainings and Case Simulations
Provide innovative approaches to skill building; stimulate learner interest and introduces users to other training opportunities.
One-on-One Telephone and Electronic Communication
Provide the opportunity to engage in brain-storming and problem-solving to promote greater knowledge, understanding and action.
Peer Support Networks
Effective use of a peer support system for skill and capacity building and innovative approaches to translate knowledge to action.
Peer Communities
of Learning
Provide an opportunity for peer learning to improve problem-solving skills and opportunity to network and strengthen relationships leading to an enhanced peer to peer support model.
Virtual and In-Person
Site Visits
Provide an opportunity for tangible hands-on training and targeted technical assistance.
Grantee Meetings
Provide the opportunity for formal and informal learning and training in relation to the implementation and growth of the grant.

33. Overview of Services
Information -- Host a listserv to compile and disseminate resources and training information and collect project-related data (e.g., Resources of the Week).
Maintain a DEI TA Collection site and Disability and Employment CoP
Technical Assistance -- designated TA Liaison is assigned to serve as the direct contact and support for individual DEI grantees and their project staff.
Available for one-on-one discussion, problem solving, and strategic planning by request to support the implementation of the DEI Initiative within the workforce development system.

34. Start-up and Implementation / Targeted TA & Training
Start-up and Implementation -- Suite of TA and training tools and resources to provide start-up support to the DEI grantees.
Provide national and TA team with information to develop and implement a strategy to help projects move the DEI forward.
Updated and/or expanded for each round based on the statement of work and lessons learned from previous grantees.
Ongoing Targeted TA and Training activities – includes hosting and facilitating ongoing administrative meetings
Conducting DEI technical assistance onsite visits.
Enhancing and developing new training and technical assistance materials.
Ticket to Work and Employment Network Support.
Training and learning opportunities.

35. Grantee TA Onsite Visits
Provide hands-on training and targeted TA which allow TA Liaisons to provide support, as well as observe, analyze, and identify strengths and challenges within a DEI project.
Pre-site visit planning activities – TA Liaison and/or DEI project leadership inform designated FPO and national DEI Program Office.
FPOs are extended an opportunity to be involved in agenda development including reviewing and approval of draft agenda.
In developing agenda, national / regional representatives are extended an opportunity to be part of visit in person or via phone.
All national/regional partners made aware of date / time /location of visit.
Post-site visit activities - TA Liaisons develop post-site visit reports that highlight key activities that took place and also identify key strengths and challenges along with lessons learned.

36. NDI-DEI Contact Information
Laura Gleneck, Project Manager /
Technical Assistance Liaisons:
Miranda Kennedy (CT 4, ME 4, MA 5, MN 5-7, NY 4-6) /
Brian Ingram (AL 4, GA 6, HI 6, IL 5, KS 5, MD 7, VA 4) /
Dave Mayer (CA 5-7, ID 4-7, IL 4, MA 7, SD 5, WA 6) /
Nikki Powis (AK 4-6, IA 6, CT 7) /

37. ODEP EVALUATION- SOCIAL DYNAMICS

38. Function of the Evaluation
Social Dynamics, LLC is contracted by DOL to conduct an independent comprehensive implementation, outcome, and impact study of the DEI.
Implementation: Collection of information on systems change and the strategies implemented by each of the DEI grantees (site visits/telephone interviews).
Outcomes: Focus on customer-level outcomes based on administrative data (WIASRD, W-P, DEI Data System).
Impact: Focus on comparing DEI treatment sites with comparison sites (WIASRD, W-P, DEI Data System).
This study helps DOL understand how grantees are implementing the DEI service delivery strategies, ticket to work and work-based experiences. The study will also measure outcomes and the impact of the DEI.

39. Research Questions
What start-up issues were identified? How were these issues resolved? Sources: Site visits and telephone interviews (Component: Implementation)
What are the impacts of the DEI grants on customer utilization and disability employment outcomes such as employment, earnings, and employment retention?
Source: Administrative data—WIASRD/W-P/DEI Data System (Components:
Customer Outcomes & Impact)
3. What services and strategies appear to be the most successful in helping customers achieve employment outcomes? Sources: Site visits, telephone interviews, and administrative data
(Component: Implementation)

40. Research Questions (continued)
What are the challenges that need to be addressed to improve the employment outcomes of PWDs? Sources: Site visits and telephone interviews (Component: Implementation)
What systems changes need to be made to overcome these challenges? Sources: Site visits and telephone interviews
(Components: Implementation & System Change Outcomes)
What best practices have the treatment sites identified that address these systems changes? Sources: Site visits and telephone interviews (Component: Implementation)

41. Evaluation Data Sources Summary

42. Outcome Analysis
The DEI evaluation will measure the following outcomes for Round 7:
Number and percentage of DEI customers, broken down by number served in core, staff-assisted core, WIA-WIOA intensive and WIA-WIOA training
Number and percentage in Career Pathways programs
Characteristics of customers with disabilities served at each WDA (WDA), including type of disability and activities of daily living
Academic outcomes (credentials, certificates)
Employment and wage outcomes

43. Grantees’ Direct Link to the DEI Evaluation: State Evaluation Liaisons
Each grantee has a State Evaluation Liaison who will:
Respond promptly to DEI Evaluation-related questions from State, LWIB, and American Job Center personnel;
Ensure smooth implementation of the DEI Data System at the American Job Center level; and
Coordinate, design, and schedule technical assistance related to the DEI Evaluation (e.g., Data System site visits, webinars, conference calls, etc.).;
Provide site visit schedule to DEI stakeholders: ODEP, ETA, FPOs and NDI.
Susan Labin, Ph.D.
Gary Shaheen, MPA
Cori DiBiase
Doug Klayman, Ph.D. CA IA AK GA HI NY IL KS SD WA MA MN

44. DEI Evaluation Contact Information
Douglas Klayman, Ph.D.
Project Director
x 105
Toll free:
Visit us online at:
Visit our DEI portal at:

45. Q&A

46. Additional Resources Innovation and Opportunity Network (ION)
Workforce GPS
For DEI grant implementation tools and ongoing support for state-level project staff and other key stakeholders, go to
For Disability and Employment Community of Practice, go to
For systemic Career Pathways resources, tools and information on Career Pathways, go to
Innovation and Opportunity Network (ION)
National, regional, state and local alliance that facilitates
information sharing to implement the vision of WIOA,
go to

47. ETA Contact Information
David Jones, Workforce Analyst
Phone:
Scherrone Dunhamn, Workforce Development Specialist
Phone:
Laura Ibanez, Unit Chief
Phone: